My dad taught me to love nature, the outdoors, and animals, to be curious about everything, to be brave in challenging authority and conventional wisdom, to think like an engineer, and to follow my passions in life.
Traipses in the woods, birthday parties filled with magic and pirate maps, riddles and hidden places, wolf dens and scary stories, fun and engaging math problems on road trips (what year will you be half my age, Dave?), and all kinds of intellectual puzzles and challenges, were all parts of the magical childhood my dad created.
He shared his love of computers with me at an early age, and I was programming in high school on a Kaypro computer in the 1970s. I loved to visit his workplaces, which were filled with lasers and computers and all kinds of strange and wonderful things. He showed me MacPaint in his computer lab and introduced me to the World Wide Web, before it was cool and when all you could do was look up the page of professors in Sweden (his example at the time!).
Against his better judgment, he supported this crazy kid when I wanted to go to art school. He has been a wise counselor and friend as I made my journey to adulthood. He was always one of my favorite people for deep and philosophical conversation.
We have had so many good times together, so many laughs, so many wonderful memories. I have had a privileged life, traveled the world and met many fascinating people. But dad is still one of my favorite people in the world.
Dad, I have had a magical life and you taught me how to create it. Thank you.
I love you.