Monday, August 4, 2008

Bill Hoggatt


aka Granddad.
December 25, 1923- December 11, 2000.

I will fill in more when I get the chance,.

I don't even know where to start when it comes to talking about him. I got my love for the desert and strong connection to this land from Granddad. He loved to golf (he had THE coolest golf cart- think 1970's and yellow fringe) and he adored gardening, setting up irrigation drips in his backyard to water his cucumbers and tomatoes. In Casa Grande. In the 100+ degree heat.

Granddad was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin Lymphoma in 1985, after several misdiagnoses and several months of symptoms. He underwent chemotherapy and went into remission, however he relapsed two more times (and entered remission two more times). However, on the third relapse, he courageously decided that hospice care was the best option for him. He started home hospice care on December 1, 2000 and passed away 10 days later, on December 11, surrounded by his wife, Katie, and two children, Jim (my dad) and Barbara (Aunt Barbie)

Not a day goes by where I don't think about him and miss him. He was stoic, gentle, smart, and very wise. He also made the best bread- he believed in making it by hand. My sister has inhereted this amazing skill, baking loaves and sharing with friends.

I'd like to share a poem that I read when I first moved down to Arizona, less than a year after he passed away. It's called "Whatever Became of Me" by Richard Shelton, a professor here at the U of A. I think of Granddad whenever I read it.

Please follow this link to read it (I'd copy and paste, but something about copyright infringement, you know...)
http://www.hanksville.org/voyage/desert/Desert9.html

And now some pictures :)

Grandmother and Granddad in Hawaii for their 50th wedding anniversary

This is how I remember him. :)

I think this is a goat.....and I totally dig the pants.

Taken in 1978. This picture is also on my fridge.



Granddad and a baby Elsbeth, taken in 1983 in Bellevue, Washington.




I always got to help blow out the birthday candles. (Birthday cake on Christmas!!)








4 comments:

Osh said...

your grandfather was a special man, and I dig his pants too!

Karen said...

Hi Elsbeth! I found my way here from Osh's blog. Your Granddad sounds like a special person. My parents live in Casa Grande every winter! I'm off to check out the links to help donate for your marathon. Take care

Karen

Maddy said...

Newbie visiting from Osh.

Like you, my grandfather has a very special place in my heart.

Best wishes

o2bhiking said...

My condolences. I bet he would be quite proud of you. You have picked a great way to honor his memory.