Frank Niessen
Frank, aka "Knarf" was my dad ...
Dad,
I want to thank you for everything you have done for me. I know I was not an easy child to deal with. I want to thank you for being patient with me!
For the first three months of my life, I was crying and screaming non-stop! Now that I am a new father myself, I truly understand a whole new level of patience and compassion. I had no idea what I put you through … now I do! Thank you!
In my early years of schooling, I got into a lot of trouble. I got into many fights and had some difficulties at school, you were always patient with me. Again, thank you.
You shared your love of aviation with me from the first days I can remember. I always loved hearing your stories of the Chinook helicopter and all those interesting flights. I always looked forward to going to Chincoteague Island (VA) during the summer time. I used to wear your flight helmet when you got home, pretending that I was up in the sky flying around in my own helicopter.
Mom recently gave me my childhood drawing book, I looked through it and saw many airplane drawings from you, I had tried to copy them. Mine did not quite look the same as yours. I had not remembered those drawings. It felt really good to see those old pages.
When I was very young, you would make the planes, I would crash them.
When I was a little older, you would make the planes, I would take them apart (and bikes too).
When I became more mature, you would watch me make the planes, then you would calculate the air speed they needed to take off.
One time you asked me how I will know when the plane will take off, I replied, "if it’s in the air by the end of the runway, I’ll know. If not, I’ll be back in the garage making another".
I remember all the baseball games you took us to go see, and the hockey games too.
I fondly remember several vacations at Cape Cod. Taking the canoe out in the ocean with large waves and continually getting it swamped, then swimming back to shore with a sunk canoe. You were quite patient with my adventurous, at times daring tendencies.
One summer we packed the car so much, Kim and I barely had room to move. The little Datsun was packed like a clown car and we had the canoe on top. I think the canoe was longer than the car! We were on our way to Cape Cod, you were driving and Pat was navigating. At one point, Pat said to turn, and you turned … we almost flipped over. The memory of all of us in that car still brings a smile to my face to this day.
I remember taking that canoe out on the Wappinger Creek in Grandpa’s back yard. We often saw huge snapping turtles and you would share stories of them from your childhood. I would really love to hear one of those stories again!
During the summers you would take us on the Hudson River and we would go out boating with your childhood friend Jud. You taught me how to water ski. One memory that sticks out the most is the time I forgot to bend my knees. You shouted, “Hold on, balance and bend your knees!” Well, two out of three ain’t bad, right dad? I forgot to bend my knees. I ended up getting dragged head first through the water for a little while because I forgot to let go. It was like a “Weekend at Bernie’s”!
It‘s all good, I hear that the Hudson River water is good for you! Ha, Ha!
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