Michael R. Ditzler
January 24th 1951- July 11th 2012
My dad served in the Army as an Airborne
Ranger during the Vietnam War. The green fabric represents the color of his work uniform. He was a hard worker and an excellent carpenter. There wasn’t anything he couldn’t build or fix. Growing up my dad was my protector. No matter what he was there for me. The plaid flannel is something he wore when I was a kid, it reminds me of how strong and powerful he felt to me. The wolves represent my dad’s favorite animal. Led Zeppelin, Van Morrison, Moody Blues and Pink Floyd were his favorite bands. He loved music, he would sit on our deck and rock in his favorite chair listening to the radio for hours. The Oakland Raiders were his favorite football team. Stoney creek was one of his favorite places to go. He loved restoring old clocks and his El Camino. “Here today gone tomorrow, just live” is a quote he had on his checks. I’m not sure where it came from but it was very fitting to my dad.
My family was also on the receiving end of the Gift of Life. 10 years ago my dad received a kidney and a second chance at life. At the time we were so thankful for the gift given to us, my dad had been suffering for 16+ years with kidney failure and was doing at home dialysis. He was in very bad shape when he received the gift. We were so happy he was able to have a second chance at life. Being on that end of it you don’t realize what the other family is going through and how truly hard it is.
We will love you always,
Cindy, Shane, Amanda and Liliana