I honor my dad with this gift for Father's Day 2021. My dad, Robert Earl Becker, is such an amazing father and I am blessed that the world picked him to be my dad. He is patient, calm, loving, good natured, funny and always there for me to help me with whatever I might need.

This gift is perfect for him because he was just talking about how he wanted to go visit the Smithsonian museums and especially the National Air and Space Museum. Now when he does make the trip there, he and my mom can have fun finding his name on the Wall of Honor.

How did my dad get involved in airplanes? He went to the University of Buffalo where he joined the Reserve Office Training Corps (ROTC). After college he was inducted into the United States Air Force. He served from 1966 to 1970 as an air traffic controller.

I have heard many stories from my parents about this time-how they had to quickly have their wedding before my dad had to leave to be stationed in Taiwan to serve in the Vietnam War and how they loved each other so much and didn't want to be separated that they planned to have my mom follow my dad to Taiwan. My mom showed up on the air force base even though spouses weren?€™t allowed to come and ended up staying with my dad on the base for that year they spent together in Taiwan.

When they returned home they have stories of being placed in Florida and Texas before retiring from the air force and focusing on having a family. That time is where my older sister, my younger brother and I all came into their story.
My dad went on to get a PhD in psychology from the University of Albany and had a long career in helping others. He always kept his passion for airplanes, science and tinkering with things to see how they work. I have memories from my teenage years of our family going to air shows to check out the airplanes and to this day my dad loves checking out planes (boats too!).

What I love most about my dad is his tenderheartedness, his sweet smile, how calm and dependable he is, how big his heart is and how he cares for our family, and how he and my mom love each other, laugh together and have great senses of humor. I have grown up embraced with my parents love and laughter, always feeling safe and protected in their care.

I am blessed to have this sweet, loving dad as my father. I honor my dad with this gift for Father?€™s Day 2021 and all the future Father?€™s Days. I am glad I found a tribute for my dad that will last and always be there as reminder of what a sweet and special dad he is.

I love you with all my heart, Dad!

Karen