Last month, I wrote about the origin of Mother’s Day and my mother. Today, it’s about Dad.

Father’s Day, much like Mother’s Day, has its origins in the early 20th century. The idea gained traction after the success of Mother’s Day, which became an official holiday in 1914. One of the earliest known Father’s Day observances occurred in Spokane, Washington, in 1910. It was spearheaded by Sonora Smart Dodd, who wanted to honor her father, a Civil War veteran and widower who raised six children alone. 

Inspired by a Mother’s Day sermon, Dodd petitioned local churches and organizations to set aside a day to recognize fathers. The first official celebration took place on June 19, 1910. 

While the idea slowly gained support across the country, it wasn’t until 1972 — more than 60 years later — that President Richard Nixon signed it into law as a permanent national holiday, celebrated each year on the third Sunday in June. 

Father’s Day is celebrated on the third Sunday in June largely because of Dodd. When Dodd proposed the idea in 1910 to honor her father, she initially suggested June 5 — his birthday — as the date for the celebration. However, local organizers and churches in Spokane, Wash., needed more time to prepare, so the date was pushed to the third Sunday in June. 

That date stuck, and as the idea of Father’s Day gradually gained national popularity, the tradition of celebrating it on the third Sunday in June became widespread. 

But just like our mothers, one day is not enough time to honor our fathers.

The first real learning moment I remember was when I was 10. My parents had just acquired the Culligan franchise in Pratt and we had been in our new home for just a couple of days. The mayor of Pratt, wanting to meet the new family in town, stopped by the house early that morning and introduced himself. My dad then introduced my brother and I — and I shook the mayor’s hand like a dead fish. Totally embarrassed by my shake - or lack of a shake, dad made very sure that never happened again. I have carried that message with me since and I use it on others as needed.

My dad could build and fix almost anything. My first car was a 1961 Volvo 544 that had been handed down from two older sisters. It wasn’t cool at the time and not very reliable. But somehow my dad kept it running. When I passed it down to my younger brother, my 1965 Impala SS usually kept him busy.

And my dad could build anything. I came home from college one weekend and he had the north wall of the living room gone so he could frame in a new fireplace. To me, that was extremely gutsy. I wouldn’t try that even if I had a construction crew as backup. 

He was a World War II Navy veteran. My boys have his uniform, pictures of his ship, and honorable discharge papers in their respective homes. 

He seldom missed one of our sporting events. He taught me how to grill. He taught me to get by without a lot, which was a great thing to know. He once used a pair of pliers to extract an achy tooth.

Although I deserved more than I can count, I do not remember him ever whipping me. He did much worse — he was “disappointed” in me! I’d have rather been spanked.

And, the man taught me not to give up. There were no gold spoons in our house growing up. But, he never let us know how tough the situation may have been.

Most of all, he wasn’t afraid to show us he loved us. As I grew older, I finally began to appreciate everything he did for us. Having five kids was not easy. Once I realized how much he sacrificed for us, it gave my fatherhood some direction. 

He was diagnosed with cancer in December of 2000. He beat it for the better part of two years. It was tough to see him go.

There are times I wish I could tell him that I actually put a grill together by myself. I changed my own oil a few times. That would have made him smile.

My wife, Tammy, and I have two boys (men) and nothing would make me prouder than to have them feel for me as I still do my dad.

Some families choose to spend the day doing activities that Dad enjoys such as fishing, watching sports, or going on a family outing. What I hope will happen is that our kids bring their families to see us, even for a short time. 

That would be the greatest Father’s Day gift I could ask for.

 — Keith Lippoldt