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We lost a great man yesterday.  Donald E. Tewes was a success by any measure and a fabulous person to boot.  He practiced law in Merrill, WI before World War II.  Don, Liz’s maternal grandfather passed away yesterday, just a few weeks after turning 96.

After the war broke out, Don joined the war effort as a member of the Flying Tigers in Burma to protect China from Japanese invasion.

Discharged in 1946, Don with his wife Myra, knew they wanted to build an enterprise — Tewes Plastics was born.  That company still exists today — 66 years later.

In 1957, Don made a successful run for a seat in the US House of Representatives, serving Wisconsin’s 2nd District and served 1 term.

I met Don in 1996, a while after Liz and I started dating.  I feel privileged to have known him as long as I have, but I’m also sad that I never got to meet Myra.  She passed away a few years earlier.  I knew Don was a special guy when he commented to Liz that he liked my shoes and then proceeded to go out and buy a pair for himself.  I don’t know what he liked about them — maybe their red, white, and blue color scheme. Picture this:  I was firmly rooted in my teens and an 80 year old man bought my shoes because he thought they were cool.

I always enjoyed chatting with him at holiday gatherings and when we were visiting.  We made a bit of a tradition of stopping at the office to chat either when we got into town or on our way back home.

Curiosity was a prominent characteristic.  Always asking questions.  Playing with things to see how they work.  It probably goes back to his childhood in Merrill.

There’s so much more to say, but it doesn’t matter anymore.  Don is back with his beloved wife today.

Grandpa Don, thanks for everything!  We’re gonna miss you!