A Father's Day Soapbox. Daily Herald editors offer brief thoughts in honor of Dad.

He's a travelin' man

I'm lucky enough to still have my father - a man with endless curiosity, generosity and wanderlust, a great sense of humor, a determination to live to 100 and a career that has inspired my life's work. You can't beat that in a dad. - Jim Baumann, Managing Editor

My dad's most important lesson

My dad showed me the value of hard work and family. He always had my back. I never had to question his love and support. He made countless sacrifices and never asked for anything in return. But if he were here, he'd tell you this is the most important thing he taught me: Oil is the lifeblood of your car's engine. - Bob Smith, DuPage County Editor

Don't wait to be asked

With 13 kids, there were plenty of dirty dishes after every dinner. As we argued over whose turn it was that night, my dad would get up from the table and say, "I'll do it then." We always scurried to head him off. Like most things, he taught us to just do it. And that was a decade before Nike had the same idea. - Tom Quinlan, Assistant Managing Editor/Sports

Never stop learning

My dad had a high school education and went to work. He never gave a thought to college, instead he apprenticed out as a machinist and worked steadily (and happily) until he retired in 1986. But his natural curiosity about everything meant that he never stopped learning. He read newspapers front to back every day, he consumed books, watched PBS and loved talking to people who knew a lot about something. He took train trips - anywhere the rails went was a good place to go. Through him I came to understand that curiosity is the real stuff of life. - Renee Trappe, group editor/Southern Illinois LOCAL Media Group

Remembering the good times

My dad passed away in 2004. He was my best friend. I'll be managing a softball tournament this weekend for the 14th year without him by my side, but I will always cherish the memories and the good times we shared as "sports buddies." - John Radtke, Fox Valley Sports Editor

Handling hard times

My father, a product of the Great Depression and World War II, who lost two brothers and his father in rapid succession and had to leave the military to run the family farm when barely out of high school, had an incredible work ethic and exhibited great generosity. Those characteristics have greatly influenced how I lead my life. - James Kane, Deputy City Editor

What more is there to say?

Dad, you were the umpire who struck me out in Little League, the hitter who sent countless pop flies for me to catch at home, the line foreman who insisted I do my best at school and at work, the mechanic who made me fix my own cars, the basketball fan who watched as earnestly when I lost as when I won on the wrestling mat, the teacher who challenged me to think in Sunday School, and so much more. Would that I could say more than thank you. - Jim Slusher, Deputy Managing Editor/Opinion

Lessons from my father

It's been almost seven years since Dad died. But I'm still learning from him. Still often thinking about him and pondering something he said or did - and with the value of distance, understanding it better now than I did then. Miss you, Pa. Happy Father's Day. - John Lampinen, Editor