Howard Edmund Dennis

Many people knew my Grandfather as a friend, or relative. And many people didn't know him as I did, as a most wonderful Grandfather, friend, and mentor. He lived a full life, and he lives on in those he touched.
Let me introduce to you, My Grandfather, as I knew him.
-------------
One day in the garage, he stood me up against the tablesaw and said, "Yup, you're tall enough, let's build," and we did. For as long as I could remember, he was always teaching me. Mostly he taught me things related to wood and construction of all things, but also math, science, and generally how the world worked and who was responsible for that.
We would fly fantastic kites way up in the sky. You couldn't see the actual kite for it was so far away; the only evidence of a kite, was a mysterious fishing line pointed to the heavens. He would take my brother and I out to the local park armed with bows and arrows to learn life skills. Fortunately for the squirrels, we were too inexperienced at life just yet.
My first negotiating experience came after we built a three foot high methyl-hydrate burning hot air balloon. This lofty aircraft was built with care with the finest tissue papers and light metals. After the flame was lit and the balloon started taking shape, it lightly swayed back and forth, until it gently rose out of my hand. It continued to rise and rise into the air. Slowly it drifted down the street with the slightest of breezes. At one point though, a brief gust caught it, the flame licked the side of the balloon and the craft turned into a ball of flame, then the metal ring at the bottom fell into the neighbor's backyard. His negotiation briefing was very short and objective oriented, "well you better ask nicely if we're going to get the ring back to build another one. Off you go now."
One time I asked Him if we could get a new table saw. "Grandad, I see they have some 2 horsepower tablesaws out now. Maybe we could get one?" "Has wood gotten any harder these days? Hasn't this one has been good for us?"
Through the years, the building projects turned from toys to school projects, to furniture and home renovations. I asked him once about what he thought about a design for a table I wanted to build. "The most important thing is, make it big enough so you can fit enough close friends and family around it to have wonderful dinners and dinner discussions afterwards." "But what about my design on how I want to connect the legs? Or what about the decorative cherry I want to put in?" "Damn it, you're not listening to me. All that stuff, the design, the different woods, you'll figure that out. Now listen. Make it big enough..."
Some years ago I was moving the table saw and I dropped the motor. Regret and shame overcame me when I plugged it in, and it didn't work. This motor had seen many many projects through the ??? (I didn't know how many) years. I was ashamed of the carelessness to drop it. I decided it was in the category of things that could be understood and therefore fixed. I think He taught me that one. My Dad taught me, "There's always two ways to skin a cat." We never did any 'Cat Skinning' in our house, but using those two approaches, I took the motor apart. Inside was a small compartment, where there was a note from Sears, 1956, "Quality Motors." (It certainly is). I fixed the motor, and asked Him about the date. "Your Grandmother's Mother died and she got some money. She bought a dress and we put the rest to the table saw." My Grandmother interrupted, "he was kind enough to allow me a dress; I didn't have too many dresses back then." And he interrupted back, "A tablesaw is the backbone to any household!"
Well, the tablesaw is still in good working order, and I'm happy to report that wood hasn't gotten any harder these days either.
Over the years his challenging of me became more discussions, than lessons. He never had the benefit of a formal university education, but he had most of it figured out by himself. We would fluently discuss the attributes of trigonometry and calculus on daily life, as it happens in the universe. Then there was the discussions on sailing, shipbuilding and all things naval. Even in his later years, when things weren't as clear for him in front of others, we would excuse ourselves from Nana and retire to his office to discuss the attributes of a clipper ship hull over any other vessel in the water. He would have our favorite book (The Search For Speed Under Sail) marked at different pages, for us to start our current discussions.
Each time I return home from overseas I have some quiet reflection time. I like to take out the tools, sharpen the numerous blades, clean off that slight layer of rust on the top of the tablesaw and start building something. I like taking the time to, "measure twice cut once," "try it first on scrap, it is easier to throw out if it is the wrong cut," and smell the immortal flavor of an active woodshop.
After finishing a wooden project once, his advice was clear and to the point, "Burn your initials in the bottom, and BURN'EM DEEP!" Maybe that has become a metaphor on life, and maybe his life.
My Grandfather passed away this June 20th, 2005. His time had come, his indelible mark left on all that knew and loved him. Well Grandad, you've left your mark, and it is a deep one. It can be seen in the appreciation for fine tools and the time to use them, as well as the enjoyment of challenging gravity, the theoretical search for speed under sail, the excitement within curiosity, the value of books, what wood feels like, and the enjoyment of a discussion around the table as the drinks keep flowing.
Thank you Grandad, thank you for everything, rest in peace.
Love,
Steve,
Your Grandson, Your Apprentice, Your Friend