My Dad

 

A Tribute to My Father, Scott E. Althouse

November 2021

As far back as I can remember, my Dad was an active and involved part of my life.  I have vivid memories of his laughter and sense of humor, his parental corrections (not that I needed them of course!), and his ever-present love and support.  He never failed to let me know that, despite my shortcomings, he loved me and was proud of me.

The memories of my Dad and our family life could take hours to describe in full:  the family camping and hiking trips, family vacations (especially the low-budget variety!), trips to Knoebel’s Grove and other amusement parks, water balloon battles, and – to this day – I’m an expert shot with a rubber band because of the countless rubber band battles in our house. 

I have to begin by remembering the laughter that was so much a part of our lives:  Some of you may not realize that my Dad was officially the MOST ticklish man alive on this earth!  As a young child – we quickly realized that this was our only “weapon” against a stronger father in family “tackle Dad” games.  But he could still then pin us and tickle us until we couldn’t breathe.  My only other weapon – noise – Dad hated extemporaneous noise.  So I’d scream at top of my lungs and could finally escape.  Dad never outgrew his ticklishness – and somehow we never matured out of tickling him – or at least I didn’t.  A few days before he died as I was taking care of him – I accidentally tickled him and he still jumped and immediately gave me what we have for years termed “the Look.”

As I mentioned earlier, he did NOT like extra noise.  He was obsessed with muting TV commercials & always wanted to have the TV controls!  Mom used to have this Christmas doorknob decoration that made a jingle noise.  Once we discovered that he’d glued the mallets so they wouldn’t make noise anymore.  Well – we figured out how to peal the glue OFF – and when he discovered THAT he’d glue it AGAIN! Thus it continued  – ALL SEASON LONG.   He loved The Grinch - and we watched that every Christmas.  Somewhere I found some Grinch socks – and from then on out made sure that he wore them every Christmas morning.  The image of my Dad reading the Christmas story – in his Grinch socks – is a precious mental image I’ll always treasure.

Dad’s favorite movies and TV shows were humorous – America’s Funniest Home videos every Sunday evening for over 10 years and animated movies like Over the Hedge (Hammy the Squirrel) and more.   

Most years – I sent him two Father’s Day cards – a nice sentimental, loving one, and the funniest and most insulting DAD card I could find that year. 😊  His facial reactions to those cards were the best.

Spiritual Leader - If you know the story of my parents, you’ll know that it was in their 20’s when they came know Jesus as their personal Savior and began personal relationships with Him in deeper ways.  Neither grew up in a home where this was modeled – and so my Dad studied to know how to lead us spiritually as a family who followed Jesus.  He led us nightly in family devotions, and would happily purchase us Bible study materials even though we lived on a tight budget.

My father loved to study the Word.  He created his now infamous BLUE BOOK – a pocket notebook he MADE out of cardboard and spare paper discarded from his workplace (always frugal!) and created his own topical concordance of sorts.  He carried it in his front pocket for years and took notes there. It illustrates to met he dedication he felt towards understanding and correctly explaining the Word of God.

Perhaps one of my most vivid memories is that he was up very early every morning to study God’s Word and pray.  He wouldn’t turn the heat on until the family was waking up (frugal!) – so he would go into the bathroom where we had a space heater and sit on the floor to study and pray.  I’d often find him there on the mornings that I woke up early and needed to kick him out to use the restroom.  I remember thinking – I want to be like Dad when I grow up.  I want to get up early and read His Word and pray.  This has become the bedrock habit of my life.

My Dad wasn’t perfect.  There are, of course, regrets and areas of hurt – but one part of the legacy that my father left was this – whenever he knew he had been wrong in his words or actions – he owned it clearly and directly and asked for forgiveness.  THIS, perhaps more than anything else – MODELED what it means to be a good parent.  He made mistakes BUT when convicted took the right steps.  THIS is the best example a parent can offer their children.

Singleness – My Dad was a great supporter of my singleness.  Early on, he set the standard that the family would not pressure me about dating or marriage.  When my grandfather used to give me a hard time at every Christmas family dinner “when are you gonna bring a husband?!?!” – Dad finally pulled him aside and told him, in no uncertain terms, that he was not to do that anymore.  For as many years as he could afford it – I received flowers and cards every valentines day from my Dad.  I treasured those gifts. 

My Dad was my greatest cheerleader – he told me that his buttons burst off of his chest every time he got to listen to me sing or speak in public.   I never once doubted his love or support.  We had our moments of disagreement – but even in those – the foundation of love was secure.

Gospel – The central passion of my Dad’s life – as both Greg & Kim have already shared – was the Gospel = Good News.  He had tasted years of a nominal/cultural church message – where nice stories and good advice were offered – rather than good NEWS of a Savior Whose Righteousness replaces our own.  When he heard that JESUS takes our sin, our shame – and offer us LIFE and HONOR and FORGIVENESS and POWER for living life in the way that brings joy and pleases God – THIS was like water to his thirsty soul.  He drank deeply of this fountain.   Perhaps this passion of his, more than any other, influenced me – a desire that all would have the chance to DRINK from this fountain – to have Living Water and never be thirsty again.  This has also become the passion and purpose of my life.

 A few words directly from Dad:  in the front of his Bible he penned the verse: “I am not worthy of the least of all mercies and all the truth which you have shown your servant.”  Words of Jacob from Genesis 32:10 – and on a little scrap of paper in his pocket New Testament – were the words written after his 2014 misdiagnosis  -  “I have better health than I deserve.”  My Father was a GOOD MAN who served others, thought of others before himself always, and one of whom many would say that he DESERVED so much more – more years with his family, better health, etc.  And yet – Romans 8:18 – the Apostle Paul wrote – “for I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” In heaven. When one looks at the atrocities of this world – AND even the suffering in my father’s life – it seems cruel when it stands alone.  I’ve recently listened to a handful of people recounting near death experiences – and every single one described encountering a LOVE AND BEAUTY that was so beyond comparison that as much as they loved their family and life here on earth – they did not WANT TO GO BACK when they were told that it was not yet their time.  If our sufferings here are great – and they were and are - then HOW MUCH GREATER is the GLORY that awaits those who have received His salvation.  My Dad lived with his eyes toward this glory, toward ETERNITY, not focusing on amassing riches or pleasures in this world – and God blessed him with a beautiful life.

Dad - no one else has influenced my life as deeply and as greatly as you have, and you will be incredibly missed.  It’s hard to imagine you not being there for our future significant events, but I cannot wait until the day that we meet again.  When we do – these days of missing you will feel like just a moment in comparison with the eternity we’ll have together.  I love you, Daddy.