Some of my favorite earliest memories of my dad are the nature walks we took together. We stuffed our bags with Oreos and trekked through the sagebrush wilderness adjacent to my childhood home. On our journeys he would teach my brother and I how to distinguish between coyote and rabbit tracks and even how to figure out which way the wind was blowing using sand. We followed him around in awe, soaking up every bit of advice he gave.

All of my life, my dad has taught me wonderful skills and lessons. His insatiable zest for life instilled in me a love of the outdoors and an endless pursuit of knowledge. I treasure all of the memories of us night fishing, camping and hiking up Mount Rainier together. With no one else but my dad can I have hours-long conversations in the car about nuclear fission, Mars exploration, cloning, reincarnation, politics, etc.

I can always count on my dad for great conversation and his willingness to watch obscure documentaries on the History and Discovery channels with me. He is the smartest man I know, and it is his curiosity for life that inspires my own love of learning. He is an inventor, an entrepreneur and the best father.

Not only can I thank my dad for sharing his interests with me, but also for my secure and happy childhood. When I was little, my dad worked excruciating hours at Hanford for many years to provide for our family. He sacrificed a lot for us, and I will always admire him for it. I am so proud of the risks he took starting his own successful technical glassblowing business, and how wonderful a dad he continues to be for Reed, Jack and I as we’ve grown up.

I love that my dad can’t go anywhere without running into a friend he knows. I love that he makes the best egg breakfasts, and that he is always there to help me — whether it’s changing the oil in my car or buying me “Writer’s Digest” magazines to encourage my passion for writing.

So dad, what I’m trying to say is this: Thank you for all the “happy times.” I love you!