• I don't know what about him stands out most
in my memory from childhood. I surely cannot for-
get the impact his career had on me.
I vividly remember the excitement and admiration
I felt when he'd speak to my elementary school in a
tattered metal hat and ash-faded yellow rubber
boots.
I can still smell the stale smoke saturating the hall
of the auditorium. I remember the piercing sounds
of the ruby-red fire truck barreling down our street
so my sister and I could hop on for a ride around
the block. I remember the fear I felt at night in my
bed, wondering if he would come home alive in the
morning.
I remember thinking he had to be a hero to do
what he did. My dad, Alan Silver, was different
from most of my friends' dads growing up. He did-
n't manage people's taxes or prescribe antibiotics to
curb the flu. He didn't even have a college degree.
On his salary, he couldn't afford to drive fancy cars
or fly us to the Caribbean.
But he somehow saved enough money so I could
go to college. It was okay that we didn't have lots
of money. Wealth, he would imply in so many
words, had a deeper meaning than the amount of
money in your bank account. Besides, we had
enough love in our family to supplement our
needs.
And for many reasons, he became my hero. He
spent close to 30 years risking his own life to save
the lives of complete strangers. He was a warrior
in the truest sense, and received four citations for
bravery in his career.
He was selfless, and never complained about
repeatedly nursing second-degree burns on his
neck and ears. He'd place the gauze on the fresh
wounds and smile, reminding us it was part of
the territory.
His job was more than a job to him; it was his
passion. And as much as he loved my family,
there was an equal lolie for his job.
My dad has long since retired from his years
as a firefighter, but his legacy lives on. He
inspired me to make a difference in this world,
too. I chose to pursue a career in social work. It
is because of his unconditional love and sup-
port that I have come this far. It is because he
was so selfless in his career.
My job isn't just a job, but a passion. Just
like him, I will never make millions of dollars.
But I've learned to sacrifice certain wants and find
happiness in what I have. Besides, there is enough
love in my family to supplement my needs.
I have learned many lessons from my dad over the
years (way too many to list). But the most precious
lesson of all is paramount in all aspects of life: True
wealth is measured in unconditional love. And for
this lesson alone, he will always be my hero.
— Shari Silver

Farmington Hills

• Growing up in the 1950s and 1960s provided
many rising idols for young girls to look up to. Elvis
was the king of rock, Carson and Allen were the
kings of late night, and JKF was the king of all
Americans.
I, however, had my own idol in my own house:

my dad, Carl Sherman.
He was my Solomon, my mountain, my mentor,
my king. He was a humble soul with a song in his
heart. He entertained our family, as well as the
entire neighborhood, in our Oak Park living room
with music, jokes, songs and stories of old.
Everyone loved to be around Papa Carl. Papa
always lamented over and over how important the
true value of a friend is. He would say, "Little girl,
the best gift in this life is the gift of friendship. Of
all the possessions one can acquire in a lifetime, you
will be rich if you have friends." Those words
jumped inside my heart and stayed on top forever.
Papa was a true people person. He had advice for
just about every type of situation that challenged his
family, neighbors and friends. He was a human
magnet that attracted all types of people to seek his
advice.

and be the first to forgive mistakes. He also taught
me to be satisfied with what I had, as there would
always be friends around who had more and those
that had less.
If I gave him a new sweater on Father's Day, he
would say, "Why didn't you buy one for yourself
instead? I have enough. Write me a poem or a song
that I can share with others."
I lost Papa in the winter of 1992, but I never lost
the gifts of love for humanity that he left to me. So,
on this Father's Day, once again, I can say, "Thanks,
Papa, for passing on a gift that truly makes a differ-
ence. For knowing how to value a friend, support a
friend, keep a friend, is the greatest gift of all. I love
my friends. I am rich."
— Sandra Sherman Ephraim

Farmington Hills

• As I look back on all my father, David Tisdale,
has taught me throughout my life, one specific piece
of advice sticks out in my mind. He taught my sister
and I to celebrate life each and every day.
Celebrate every occasion, no matter how
big or small, because you just don't know
what tomorrow will bring.
He has taught by his example and created
precious memories, even out of the most
mundane events. At the end of the day, it is
not the gifts I remember, but the times we
have rejoiced and the moments we spent
together.
— Risa Van Der Aue

• Commerce Township

Lisa Weingarden Kaplan with her father, Louis:
Work is not a chore.

Papa would offer hot coffee to the mailman and
the milkman on a cold winter's day. He would
extend invitations in our home to the butcher, the
baker and any store owner who was interested in a
game of chess, or viewing his spectacular, 100-gallon
tropical fish tank. Our home was always filled with
friends and potential friends.
He had patience and compassion for all people.
Papa did not own or seek an abundance of material
things. What he did own was his wisdom of passing
around the mitzvah of tikkun olam, making this
world a better place, by imbuing the values of
patience, tolerance and acceptance to all who knew
him.
He always taught me that no one is perfect and
we must learn to accept and celebrate differences

• My father, Louis Weingarden, was a self-
employed attorney. His practice ranged from
wills and estates to divorces to criminal law
and more.
He enjoyed researching, discussing and
practicing law. He prided himself on his
knowledge and success. He absolutely loved
being an attorney and felt that this was his
calling in life.
When I was a child, my father often told me
that if you find a career that you love, then you
would not be bored, unhappy, uninterested or
resentful of having to work. Although he
encouraged me to become an attorney, I chose
my own career path — that of social worker.
Although my career is quite different than his, I
love my work as much as he loved his.
Going to work is never a chore and is almost
always something to which I look forward. I work
with people who have substance abuse and/or men-
tal health problems. I truly derive a thrill from help-
ing my clients, just as my father was excited about
helping his clients.
My chosen career also has afforded me the oppor-
tunity to follow more of my father's advice, includ-
ing helping people who are less fortunate and always
to count your blessings.
I attribute my success and enjoyment of my career
to the wonderful work ethic and attitude my father
modeled for me.
— Lisa Weingarden Kaplan

West Bloomfield

FATHER'S DAY

on page 38

3N

6/16
2005

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