Wednesday, January 1, 2020
Just a memory from fifty years ago that has stuck with me: Mr. Hauck arriving home from work on a summer day. Mrs. Hauck standing inside the screen door, leaning on the door-jamb, arms folded. Mr. Hauck gets out of the truck, scattering the half-dozen neighbor kids and Haucks loitering there. Mr. Hauck didn't seem to take any notice of us sprawling, screaming brats but there was something that went between Mr. & Mrs. Hauck; a glance, a half-smile - that I'll never forget. It's given me hope over the years that a solid, for-ever marriage is possible, even though it hasn't been the norm in the neighborhood or in our family. And I have come to realize that what seemed to us kids a gruff, semi-aloof and brooding nature was actually pure genius. Mr. Hauck was not like parents today who want to be their kid's friend; instead he required his kids to approach him at his level. He was a consummate craftsman, whatever he put his hand to he did well. Through home addition projects and work around the house he imparted in his kids that contempt for shoddy work that I can see in Dave and Jim has lasted a lifetime. So all the while he may have seemed to us a little bit scary, he gave his kids (and maybe a few neighbor kids) something much more valuable than friendship: a model of husband, father, craftsman and man. Condolences to Mrs. Hauck and family.
Dan McGraw & Nancy McGahey Rose Canyon, Utah
