Dad: Crossing the Stage
Five years ago on Friday, June 10th, 2016 my father, Hans Witt, graduated with his BA from UBC’s Okanagan campus in Kelowna. He was 81.
For as long as I can remember, Dad’s words: “Education will save your life” have been part of my internal self-talk. Apparently, so the story goes, his own mother, my Oma, made sure he knew this — and for good reason. At the end of WWII, together with his mother and seven siblings, Dad landed, “so to speak”, (a favourite phrase of his) in Canada, not speaking a stick of English nor having completed his schooling in Germany. In Niagara Falls, where they were sponsored, he drove a milk truck and worked for Ford to support his family. He learned English by putting German and English newspapers side by side and reading current events. Years later, “lo and behold” (another favourite phrase of his), he went to Western University and became an anesthesiologist. (I will muse on all things pain as related to trauma and career choices, Stay tuned).
How did Oma’s mantra about the importance of education translate to the next generation?
A formative memory I have is the time he took a red pen to my completed (National Geographic pictures already pasted in) grade 6 social studies report. There were tears involved with that incident. Yes, let us refer to it as an incident. But, I knew his motive was good.
Regardless of incidents and careers in pain management, my father inspired me to love learning and to cultivate a deep gratitude for the opportunity. We have pencils. We have teachers. K-12 Education is free, and there are bursaries and support for after that. You can return as an adult, as he did. Perhaps this is why I loved working Tuesday and Thursday nights with the adults in the Never Too Late program who were trying for their GED. Dad never stopped learning. Although his parental lectures about his latest learnings and the accompanying verbal quizzes to confirm my attention were painful to endure, his fascination with all subjects was incredible. As my husband Mike said, “Hans had a vitality.” Yes, this passion for learning, I have come to see, is vital for our thriving.
He passed away a year ago this January.
Even though he retired as a doctor, He had it in his mind that he should have a BA. It took him eight years. On the day this picture was taken, June 10th, 2016, I remember smiling as he and his 20-somthing grad ceremony partner, her with her bob and bright blue eyes showing my dad where to line up when it was their turn to cross the stage. Dad received a standing ovation from his peers and the faculty.
Well deserved, Dad. Well done.