A day to honor all committed dads
President Obama could have been talking about suburban dads Bob McDonough, Bipinchandra Patel or Jack Devron when he spoke of the importance of fatherhood in America.
"This isn't an obligation," Obama said Friday. "This is a privilege to be a father."
Indeed it is. And so on this Father's Day, we salute committed fathers all over the suburbs. We encourage them to spend time with their kids and encourage their children to treasure the moments they have with their dads.
As the Daily Herald's Thomas Edwards reports today, McDonough, of Round Lake Beach, has found a way to spend quality time with his son Robert, 17, while also teaching him how to help others in need. The two will run together in the 2009 Chicago Marathon on Oct. 11. And just like they did in 2008 and just like Bob has done in numerous other marathons, they will raise money for the AIDS Foundation of Chicago through the National AIDS Marathon Training Program. They have raised $10,000 over the years for the cause.
"Bob is somebody who always gives no matter what, and that's why everybody loves him," said friend Airick LaPratt. "You see it in the way he runs his business, in the way he treats his friends and in the way he gives back to the community."
And you see it in the example he sets for his son. Happy Father's Day, Bob.
Patel, of Des Plaines, is also setting a great example for his children. Now 49, the single father of two decided eight years ago to give up a 20-year smoking habit and also to cut out drinking.
"He was a role model for us and he made a choice willingly to change himself," said 18-year-old Monica Patel, Bipinchandra's daughter. "It really set an example for us and it just showed us how important we are as a family unit."
His decision inspired her to write an essay on how he has influenced her choices in life. And she offers great, simple advice on parenting, based on her dad: "Parents need to spend time with their kids and have direct communication. This show that the parent is willing to try and understand the child."
Happy Father's Day, Bipinchandra.
Also in today's Daily Herald, there is a story by columnist Burt Constable on how Christopher Devron was taught by his father to remember that there are many people in need. Devron grew up in Palatine and he credits his father, Jack, with helping to set him on a path to become a Catholic Jesuit priest who works at a school on Chicago's West Side.
"When we'd go to Chicago Stadium to see a Bulls game, my dad would always say there's a different life outside Palatine and needs outside Palatine," Devron remembers.
Happy Father's Day, Jack.
Yes, President Obama could easily have used these suburban examples of fathers taking their role seriously. Or he could have used the examples of many others who do this daily as well.
Happy Father's Day to all of them.
<div class="infoBox"> <h1>Father's Day</h1> <div class="infoBoxContent"> <div class="infoArea"> <h2>Stories</h2> <ul class="links"> <li><a href="/story/?id=301910">Father and son have raised $10,000 to fight AIDS</a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=301530">Dads invited to ride trolley in South Elgin</a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=301884">Des Plaines father gives up cigarettes and liquor for his kids</a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=301405">Lisle dad, 88, has a lifetime of memories and more to come</a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=301198">Oakbrook car show provides memories for Dad </a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=301867">Obama tells men what kind of dads they should be</a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=301896"><B>Editorial:</B> A day to honor all committed dads </a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div>