Sunday, June 16, 2013

A bittersweet day

Today is Father’s Day – a day to focus on the dads in our lives.  But at some point, it becomes a tough reminder of the years that have passed without our dad.  And in my case, this is the 8th year that I have had to rely on just memories of my dad.  Fortunately, I also have a lot of photos to help me remember him in a wonderful way. 

Here’s a nice family photo from 1931-1932.  Left to right, Wilton Gunzendorfer, Robert Levy, Loraine Gunzendorfer Levy, Sig Levy, Abraham Gunzendorfer, Bertha Schwartz Gunzendorfer.  And that little guy in the front is my dad, Gordon Levy.

Wilt_Loraine_Sig_Abe_Bertha_Robert_Gordon c1931

Dad was such a cutie!  Here he is in 1933 when he was 6 years old. 

Gordon 1933

And again in 1933 with his mother, Loraine Gunzendorfer Levy, and brother, Robert Levy. 

Robert_Loraine_Gordon 1933

Dad must have gotten a football and/or uniform for Christmas in 1937 - he’s all decked out and ready to play!  It looks like this was taken in the backyard of their home in Fresno.

Xmas Day 1937

Dad and his brother, Robert Levy, posing in the backyard in September, 1947.  Even though they lived quite a distance from each other as they raised their families, they always remained close.  At the end of their lives they talked on the phone every day!

Gordon_Rob 1947

After graduating from Fresno High School in 1944, Dad went off to Stanford University in Palo Alto.  Here he is leaving for Palo Alto on May 15, 1949 – I hope he took more luggage with him!

Gordon 5_15_1949

Graduation from Stanford University – June 19, 1949.  Lots of photos with different family members.  Here’s dad and his grandmother, Bertha Schwartz Gunzendorfer.

Bertha_Gordon 1949

And with his Uncle Wilt Gunzendorfer.

Wilt_Gordon 1949

Look at this group – Bertha Gunzendorfer, Dad, Mom (Gerry Martin), Robert Levy.

Bertha_Gordon_Gerry_Rob 1949

Dad was always a star to us – here he is hanging out with his good bud, Bob Hope.  I’m just teasing, he didn’t know Bob although it looks like at some point in his life he shared some golf tips with him.

Gordon and Bob Hope

Dad liked to have fun but I sure can’t figure out what they’re doing here. 

Gordon and Gerry 1981

And some nice photos of Dad later in life.

Gordon Levy

This may have been one of the last photos taken of Dad before he passed in 2005.

Gordon Levy c 2005

I miss my Dad every day and am so thankful to have such wonderful memories (and photos!) of him.  Happy Father’s Day, Dad!


8 comments:

  1. I love all the old pictures! You know what a bittersweet day this is for me, so I certainly understand how it is for you.

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  2. What a nice walk through your father's life. It's wonderful that you have so many great photos -- even better that you have wonderful memories.

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  3. What a wonderful tribute to your dad. And the photos are great.

    Wow! That photo of your dad with Bob Hope is really cool. Do you have more of the back story on that one?

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  4. Jana just took the words right out of my mouth! It is a sweet tribute, Debi! Thanks for sharing your dad with us.

    And, of course, everyone is wondering: just how did he get to know Bob Hope?

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  5. Lovely photos and memories - thank you for sharing them!

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  6. I have no idea how he ended up in the car with Bob Hope. It's one of many questions I wished I'd asked.....and now I have no one left to ask.

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  7. You come from a family of great smilers!

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    Replies
    1. Probably why I was voted "Biggest Smile" in high school.

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