My Dad

Glenn Suchan · Post by **Glenn Suchan** » 2 Jul 2022 1:48 pm

My dad, Jim passed away suddenly this past Thursday and I'm still in disbelief. He was 93 and struggled with handicapped legs. He and my mother lived in Port Charlotte, Florida until 2021 when my mother passed away from dementia in April of that year. At that time, my wife and I invited dad to come live in the apartment we'd built on our home. He lived with us for a year until his passing.

I referred to my dad as a true renaissance man. His interests included practicing hypnosis, scuba diving, painting, making stained glass art and making telescopes from scratch including hand grinding and polishing the optics. He also made the instrument used to measure the accuracy of the mirror curvatures. Two of his favorite telescope were an 8" Newtonian Reflector and an 8" Cassegrain Reflector. The mirrors on these reflector scopes were ground to an accuracy of approximately 1/20 wave, before coating. An amazing feat in itself. When he came to live with us he donated those two scopes and all of their construction notes to The University of Texas at Austin, Department of Astronomy.

Jim was also a World War II veteran and served in the US Army, 3rd Infantry Dv. in the Philippine Islands. One of my proudest moments was a surprise Father's Day gift to him: Last year I arranged for the two of us to go on the "Honor Flight Austin" to Washington DC (I went as a Vietnam War Veteran, serving in the USMC). We toured the US Military memorials and witnessed the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

I've attached a photo of us from that flight:

My dad passed away the day before he and my mother would have celebrated 72 years of marriage. He's now with his sweetheart and our Lord. Rest In Peace, Dad. I love you.

Keep on picking'!
Glenn

Lee Baucum · Post by **Lee Baucum** » 2 Jul 2022 2:21 pm

What an amazing man. Such a great photo.

Thank you for sharing his story with us, Glenn.

~Lee

Jerry Overstreet · Post by **Jerry Overstreet** » 2 Jul 2022 2:34 pm

God bless you Glenn. Peace and comfort to you. I'm grateful for your Dad's military service and yours as well. The Honors flights are terrific.

I'm glad you had all those years to spend with him and your Mom.

I'm sure you are proud and thankful. Sincere Condolences on your loss.

Larry Dering · Post by **Larry Dering** » 2 Jul 2022 3:26 pm

Glenn, what a wonderful Dad you had. That was a heartwarming story. I'm glad you got to spend that precious time with your father. God bless you and your family. Thanks for sharing your story.

Joe Krumel · Post by **Joe Krumel** » 2 Jul 2022 3:58 pm

Glenn having lost my parents fairly close together I feel your pain and grief. Thinking of you.

Gary Hoetker · Post by **Gary Hoetker** » 2 Jul 2022 6:19 pm

Very sorry for your loss Glen. Straight ahead>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>!

Darvin Willhoite · Post by **Darvin Willhoite** » 2 Jul 2022 7:45 pm

Sorry for your loss Glenn, but what a legacy to follow. Thank you both for your service.

Larry Jamieson · Post by **Larry Jamieson** » 3 Jul 2022 7:03 am

So sorry for your loss, Glenn. I have great respect for all US veterans, and thank you for your service. Sounds like your dad was an interesting gentleman.

Chris Boyd · Post by **Chris Boyd** » 3 Jul 2022 7:57 am

My sympathies to you and your family. What an amazing life he had ! The greatest generation.

Andy Jones · Post by **Andy Jones** » 3 Jul 2022 10:03 am

So sorry for your loss of your Dad Glenn.He looked a man whose life was well spent.

My daddy has been gone 21 years and I miss him every day.He was a WWII and Korean war veteran.

Roger Rettig · Post by **Roger Rettig** » 3 Jul 2022 10:20 am

Heartfelt sympathies, Glenn; my thoughts are with all your family.

But what a life he led! It sounds as if he lived it to the full. I love the photo of you both and offer my appreciation to both of you for your service.

Rest in peace, Jim Suchan!

Jim Fogle · Post by **Jim Fogle** » 3 Jul 2022 11:47 am

Glenn, I'm sorry for your loss. Your Dad sounds like an amazing person. You and your family will be in my thoughts. Thank you for your service to our country.

Mike Neer · Post by **Mike Neer** » 3 Jul 2022 5:09 pm

Very sorry for your loss, Glenn.

Jerry Van Hoose · Post by **Jerry Van Hoose** » 3 Jul 2022 5:57 pm

Thank you for sharing such a beautiful, heartwarming story about your dad. I’m so sorry for your loss, my thoughts and prayers are with you.

rick andrews · Post by **rick andrews** » 4 Jul 2022 8:52 pm

Glenn, I would have liked your Dad. Wishing you peace.

Roy Carroll · Post by **Roy Carroll** » 5 Jul 2022 5:35 am

WOW! What a great man. Loads of accomplishments. He lived a wonderful life.
Sorry for your loss. Thoughts and prayers for all of the Family.

Herb Steiner · Post by **Herb Steiner** » 5 Jul 2022 4:19 pm

Glenn, my old friend... What a man your father was! Your complete admiration, pride and love show in your wonderful homage to him. You and your family have my condolences, truly.

Bob Watson · Post by **Bob Watson** » 5 Jul 2022 8:24 pm

Glenn, I'm sorry to hear the sad news about your father's passing. From your description of him, he sounds like he was a very interesting man who lived a remarkable life. You and your family have my deepest condolences.

Jon Voth · Post by **Jon Voth** » 7 Jul 2022 8:08 pm

As an Army Band musician who plays regularly at the WWII memorial, so glad he was able to visit the memorial.

Thank you to him and yourself for your service to our great nation!

Paul Wade · Post by **Paul Wade** » 9 Jul 2022 5:31 pm

Gleen
Thank you that my prayers go out to you and family
He was a great man and vet both of you god bless you
All

Paul Michael wade
Us army 70 to 72