Donald Stephen Amsler 1938-2013

My beloved father passed into the presence of his Lord at 8:30p in Monday, November 18, 2013 after a brief illness.

We are all stunned at the loss.

Dad was the first born of D. Wayne Amsler and Elizabeth Mortensen Amsler and we assume that he was in charge of the scene from the moment that he exited the womb. Dad was always in charge. In fact, Grandma A. remarked one time that it was either send him to school at age 4....or kill him.


College at 16 years of age. Medical school and marriage at the age of 20. Father to moi at age 21. Father to Pilot Man at age 22. He was always busy and on the go.

Proud veteran.

A love of cars of all sorts.

A fantastic physician who was beloved by his patients. And just a bit more on that, I can tell you that when we traveled it was not an uncommon thing to hear a voice say, "Dr. Amsler! I thought that was you!" You just don't expect to meet a patient as you exit an Amish furniture store in Amana, Iowa.....or a beach in Hawaii....or Europe.

A man out standing in his field.

Sorry, I just had to say that. And really that is my brother's field.

Dad was always ready with a joke or witicsm. Even on the weekend before his death, when he was so very ill, he was still cracking jokes. Having an oxygen mask on your face is no excuse for not doubling the ICU nurses over in laughter.

 

Small furry animals who dared to dig in his landscaping or under his deck had reason to be fearful. He was the master of the baited trap.

A photographer of some skill, many were the trips when we were required to stand in front of some unusual sign in some obscure town and take a picture. Dad would set up the camera, set the timer and then run into position.

As you can see I was SO EXTREMELY happy to have my photo taken. Somewhere there is a photo, similar to the one above, taken in front of a sign for Intercourse, Pennsylvania.

You can just imagine how I LOVED having that photo taken.

 

Married to the love of his life for 54 years. What a testament of marriage. They traveled the world from China to Romania to Russia to Florida and many points in between.

Dad was always available to help in any way that you needed. Research, advice, a joke, a glass of wine. He was there for you. When Shoe Queen had her car accident on the Tri State tollway Dad and Mimi dropped everything, went to get her, checked to make sure she was OK and the put her on a plane for home.

He was just too many things to list here.

He was my beloved dad, my champion, my fellow book lover and beer aficionado. Sender of articles on obscure and fascinating medical topics. I know that our parting is only temporary. He is no longer in pain, free from illness, surrounded by his parents and other friends who have gone on before.

I was blessed to be able to speak to Dad about 20 minutes before he went home to Jesus. We were able to say good bye and tell each other that we loved each other.

I couldn't ask for a better last conversation.

But oh how I will miss him until I see him again.

I love you Dad

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