Richard Angus Chappell
May 23, 1937-April 21, 2009
Tuesday April 21, 2009 was a beautiful spring day. The birds were chirping and the kids were laughing while they played outside. It was a beautiful day for my dad as he transitioned from this life to the next. What a blessing it was for my mom, sisters, brothers and me to all be there with dad and tell him that we loved him one last time. I wasn't ready to say good-bye, wasn't ready to let go, wasn't ready to live my life without my dad in it. And although I know that he is so happy to be free from his broken mind and body, I still hurt for myself. I sometimes wonder if I will ever feel whole again? I loved my dad, unconditionally, and with all my heart...still do. I'm so thankful to have been his daughter, and so thankful that he was my dad.
Our last family picture. April 12, 2009.
My brothers, sisters, and I all spoke at my dad's service. We wanted to pay tribute to our father publicly for the wonderful way he raised us and loved us. I like to think that we portrayed our love to him as well. We paid tribute to a father who taught us to love, to appreciate family, to find happiness in the simple joys in life, rather than in the "things" that we too often get caught up in. Dad's next door neighbor, Larry, spoke as did his good friend Gerry, who is the bishop of the ward my parents live in. My niece, Brittney, played a beautiful medley on the violin. Overall I think it was a beautiful service.
Honor Guard paying tribute to my dad for his service to our country.
Saturday we woke up to a gloomy, rainy day. I thought it fitting that it would rain on the day my dad was buried, Tears from Heaven. I like to think that my dad cried too that day, that he was sad to say good-bye to his family that he loved more than anything. At the cemetery as the Utah Honor Guard played Taps solemnly in the background, the rain came down harder. Dad's graveside was surrounded by his family and friends whose hearts were heavy with sadness. My cousin Greg shared some funny stories about fishing with my dad. Memories are what I hope I can always hold onto. I can keep my dad alive by remembering the good times that we've all had with him. My uncle Jack (dad's oldest brother who is 88) gave a beautiful prayer over my dad's grave as he dedicated dads final resting place.
Our family at my dad's grave.
My dad had a talent for working with wood. Give the man a nice piece of wood, or even just a plain old piece of pine, and some tools and he could create beautiful things. He made cedar chests for his granddaughters, and treasure boxes for his grandsons. These are things that we will always cherish. We thought it only fitting that Gusty be laid to rest in his own cedar chest, and it does indeed hold a treasure!
My dad's cedar chest
We express our gratitude to our large family and cherished friends. How wonderful it was to see friends from long, long ago. Church leaders that taught us kids, our childhood friends, childhood friends and cousins of our dad, old fishing buddies, and roommates, and so many family members and ward members. To you, I say say Thank you! I am filled with such love and gratitude to all of you who showed up for our family during this very difficult time. How blessed we are to have had you in our lives, and continue to do so. It's sad that it takes the loss of a loved one to put perspective on our past and present relationships. Always remember to love and cherish your friends and family!
We had good times with our dad on his porch.
Dad, I will forever be thankful for the things you taught me, for the love you showed to your family, for your kind, compassionate and giving nature. For Lyman Boy stories, where "Once upon a time in ol' Lyman Town there lived a boy named Angus"... Thank you for a love of nature that I got from you. For your cute sayings: "Bawl about it, it will turn right up; Let me get my hands on that kid; Read Em; Report; Family is what this life is all about; No man ever had a better family; I am the richest man on earth"; and so on. I'll always be proud to be your Shanner, and I'm so proud to call you my dad; Gusty.
Dad with his grand kids. Lyman, Utah. July 2006.
