Tractors, Tuxedos and Tootsie Rolls

Richard Dan Christofferson

Born: March 6, 1927

Died: July 29, 2009

Grandma & Grandpa - [around] 1947

Grandma & Grandpa - 1981

Grandma & Grandpa - 1999

I wish I knew how many times I sat on Grandpa Dick's knee. In the days when I fit on his lap, "Rig-a-jig-jig" was a regular operation, and picture books were read aloud to me in a deep, gravelly voice. When I got a bit older and could run around the room, he would catch me up and tickle me with his finger, saying, "You have a bone right there! And right there! And right there!" I grew up thinking that "tuxedo" was just another word for overalls because of him. To say that my Grandpa wore tuxedos almost daily is completely true. He did. It's not a perfect memory of him without a pair of overalls and a handful of tootsie rolls in the front pocket. Another thing that comes to my mind when I remember Grandpa is how he would help Grandma up and down the steps on our front porch when they'd come to visit and walk arm in arm with her to the car.

Grandpa and Sarah - 1990

When we were at Grandma and Grandpa's house he would always take us out to feed the chickens (I would hide behind his leg because I was afraid of them) or to pick raspberries in the garden. There were a select few times that Grandpa would let me ride on the tractor with him as he was tilling. I remember having milk can dinners or buttermilk pancake breakfasts in their backyard in the summer. Sometimes when we'd arrive at their house we would automatically run out to the shop in the yard to see if Grandpa was there, and he would give us butterscotch candies from a bowl on his desk. I'll never forget the sawdust-y smell of that shop. If I ever lost a tooth and he noticed, Grandpa would say, "Have you been kissing the boys again?" When we would pull away from their house in the car, he and Grandma would stand on the walkway and wave "see-bye-ya" with one hand waving backwards and forwards, and the other waving side to side.

Grandpa and Grandma - 1997

The image of Grandma Jean and Grandpa Dick sitting next to each other in their armchairs in the living room is another one I'll never forget. Many times we'd end up watching "The Lawrence Welk Show" right alongside them. I remember Grandpa asking us to play the piano for him and smiling and humming along. I remember the tears that would often come to his eyes when we'd sing to him and with him, especially if it was one of the hymns or "Home on the Range." I'll be forever grateful for his love of music.

I would have to say that my favorite part of any family reunion down at The Crick was sitting around the campfire listening to Grandpa's rendition of "Wilbur." (I'm sure I speak for most of you when I say that.) His smile and his laugh were so big that nobody who was around him could forget him.

Grandpa telling "Wilbur" - 2005

After his heart attack/stroke and after Grandma passed away, Grandpa was different, but he was definitely still Grandpa. I loved listening to the stories of his voyages to the Pacific Islands and of his work at Geneva Steel. Even though his smiles were not as frequent, I still loved to see them. In fact, the last time that I saw him, (just a few days before he died) my dad and I were saying goodbye to him and I kissed him on the cheek and told him that I loved him. He looked up at me and smiled bigger than I've seen in a long time. He couldn't speak very well, but he told me that he loved me too and watched happily as we left the room. That picture will be with me for the rest of my life.

I can only imagine how much he is smiling now; now that he doesn't ever have to be away from his Sweetheart again, now that he is free from a hindered, mortal body, now that he can help his family from the other side. I look forward to the day when I can see him again.

His funeral was so beautiful. I can't imagine a better tribute to Grandpa's life... it was full of music and the people that he loved. I'm sure he and Grandma enjoyed every minute of it. These are just a few of the pictures that I took. My favorites.

The grave site.

The pallbearers: Allen, Ryan, Rick, Mike, Dave, Jeff, Alex, Nate and Jake

Carrying the casket past the soldiers.

Taking the casket to the grave site.

Taking the flag from the casket.

A soldier presenting the flag to Aunt Vicki.

My brothers, Nate and Jake, going to put their boutonnieres on the casket.

Jake walking away from the casket.

My Grandpa Perry loved Grandpa Dick.

The beautiful casket.

A close-up.

Grandpa's wonderful kids: Kay, Diane, Joan, Tony, Vicki, Jay and Brad.

(Are you proud of me? I can finally tell the twins apart!)

My dad saying one last goodbye.

Nate... doing what he does best.

Little cousin Tiffany.

My family in front of the casket.

Kate and Becca... they look like twins!

Mom and Dad

Grandma and Grandpa's bodies and spirits are finally together.

Tootsie rolls covered the tables at the luncheon.

Thank you, Grandpa, for everything you taught us and did for us. I love you! I can't wait to see you again!