Dad Of The Month!

Mark Schmeltzer

Where do you live?
Off the beaten path near Newberg, Oregon.

What is your profession?
Heavy equipment sales.

What are your hobbies/interests?
Gun collecting, hunting, camping, woodworking, farming.

What do you drive?
A Ford F350 crew cab.

What are you reading?
Safari Rifles II by Craig Boddington.

What music are you listening to?
Very little, old country music and 1970’s rock.

What's the last movie you saw?
I watched The Golden Compass the other day – it seemed like a fun family movie we had not watched; Although it’s difficult to entice our teenage daughters to hang out and watch any movie with us these days. It was a fun fantasy movie – that takes you away from the real world.

How long have you been married?
19 years to Julee.

Kids names and ages?
Desiree 26, Kandra 24, Allina 18, Jonica 16 plus one granddaughter, Victoria, age 28 months.

Describe your favorite family vacation?
Camping at Olive Lake, near Granite, Oregon, around Labor Day Weekend several years ago-all the girls were still young enough to be living with us; my folks and Great Aunt Harriette were there too. We fished, hiked and froze, but had a great time being together.

Your thoughts on being a Dad?
I think instilling a sense of humor in your kids is very important – learning to laugh in general, and sometimes laughing at your self are useful tools in life. Appreciating family – enjoying being a part of family – knowing you stick together through it all. And are there for each other. Also teaching your children, “you don’t have to like it you just have to do it” – a family motto which was used often when the girls had cows in 4-H and there were chores that had to be done – in the cold, in the rain or in the dark. A motto they wrote on a banner for me and hung in my hospital room for many, many weeks of chemo, radiation and ultimately – a bone marrow transplant for leukemia.

Realizing there does not have to be a reason for everything – sometimes “because I said so is reason enough” , you don’t have to spank or discipline, if your kids know you will. And being a good Dad doesn’t mean you are their best friend. Mother and Father showing unity is also very important. The 22 weeks plus…. Over three years, that I spent in the hospital. Brought us together in a new and profound way. It tested our family ties. And not unlike my illness anything that does not kill you makes you stronger. We discovered how strong we really are.

How do you juggle family and work?
As your children get older this is not such an issue. When they are younger and even now – its making what time you have together count. Whether it's sitting around the dinner table together, time spent in the car together, or on a fun outing or vacation; everyday time together counts.

What's your favorite thing to do with your kids?
Now that the girls are all older – any family gathering – whether it’s a birthday dinner at home; a group pie making session; annual family apple cider pressing. Any activity that brings us all together.

What advice would you give to new or soon-to-be dads?
Don’t worry about dividing your love between your children – each one multiplies it.

What lessons have you learned from your own dad?
“Patience is something you learn while you are waiting for it “and “a little pain never hurt anyone”. I also learned you can’t teach your kids something, by doing it for them.


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