Eulogy
My father and name sake, Donald James Liebherr Sr was a unique individual. Like everyone he had his faults, but if you would over look them then you would see all of his positive qualities too. My dad had an unforgettable personality always the life of the party, telling jokes and stories. People he met usually remembered him and somehow he managed to remember all of them too. He was protective of his friends and family and had a soft spot for children and animals.
My dad was born on May 25th 1936 in Toledo Ohio. He was the only child of Charles and Mary Liebherr. He remained in the Toledo area for the rest of his life. Always close to his parents, he never lived more than a few miles away and visited them often. Of course when they were at Bird Lake he need only walk next door.
My dad was a graduate of Libby High School and after that except for the occasional seminar or adult learning class he was self educated. He used to tell me if you want to learn something you don’t need to take a class, just go get some books on the subject, and their free at the library. He worked as a tile installer, machinist and realtor. He owed businesses doing TV repair, tower installation, and selling used goods.
My dad married my mom, Mary Fran McMahan on May 5th 1962.
He enjoyed the outdoors, fishing, motorcycling, photography, and playing cards.
Growing up I spent more time with my dad then most kids, because I was the only child in house and he was either self-employed or not working. At an early age I can remember going with him to his TV repair shop or out on service calls. I watched him picking up console TVs or carrying concrete bags two at a time; a stark contrast to his resent physical abilities.He would take time to explain what he was doing and speak to me at an adult level.
I remember the protective side of my dad, worrying what I was up to and if I was ok. In the winter when I was at the park sledding he would pull up in the car, tell me to get in and warm up. He would warm my hands by rubbing them and blowing on them with his hot breath.
I remember spending a summer riding around to garage sales with my dad in his 66 Chevy Biscayne. Those of you that know cars know that that is the stripped down model, no radio. We were either talking or listening to one of his two Beatles tapes in the 8 track player he had installed. Recently I was asked by one of my daughter’s friends what my favorite band was. After some thought, I said the Beatles. I guess after that summer, I was either going to love or hate the Beatles.
I remember all the used items he would buy at less than 1/10th of their new price, use for a year or two and then sell for a profit. He liked unique items and conversation pieces. I remember a time when we had a dozen wind up clocks. I thought he was collecting them and I would wind them weekly. One day I came home and he was reselling them in a garage sale. He used to say “for the right price everything is for sale”.
I remember him telling me about my sisters and how different it was having girls vs. a boy and how precious and special they were to him.
I remember his love of photography, which Aubrey seems to have inherited. He was not only part of our wedding, but with help from his cousin Ken he was also our wedding photographer.
I remember when my children were born how happy and proud he was of them.
Moments before our walk that afternoon,
I realized the path ended too soon.
Not long enough to hold his hand,
this amazing person, this loving man.
Not long enough to engage his eyes
and remember his always brimming pride.
Not long enough to stand by his side,
as he was by mine after every rough ride.
Not long enough to laugh with him still,
after every joke, story and tough hill.
Not long enough to walk with this man,
who has taught me to be the person I am.
Not long enough as we walked by his wife,
to thank them both for my wonderful life.
In all the walks I've taken in my life,
Some through joy and others through strife,
I'll rememb
