Good-bye Stud

Hello all,

It has been very hard for me to publish any blog entries since dad passed away a week ago today. I have thought of him many times, thousands is more accurate. I have tried to catalog every memory I have had. I know that this is impossible for a lifetime of memories I have of him. I just don't want to forget anything.

My dad was a wonderful man. I credit him for making me the man I am today. I hope one day to be able to fill his shoes. I have a long way to go as a man if I aspire to become anything like my dad. I knew that my dad was well known and respected in the community; I under estimated the degree. The love that was shown to my family last week warmed my heart. Thank you all for the prayers and kind words. Each phrase helped pull me closer to being on my feet again.

The best were stories of my dad. From his unique setup to his golf swing to his easy smile and laugh, each kept my heart filled with refreshing memories of the man known as William E. Scott, Bill Scott or just Dad.

The best story was told to me by John Francis about my dad's anticipation for a weekly fax from Northwest Missouri State University while I was in the Czech Republic in 1994. Unknown to me, Northwest was sending my father a weekly brief of what I had been up to while I was away. As the story goes, on the given day at 10:30 AM, my dad would wait eagerly for the sound of an incoming FAX. When the old machine would start to warm-up, dad would almost hurdle the desk to beat anyone to it. Once the FAX was in his hands he would share it with his friends and laugh at the exploits of a farmboy from Iowa in a distant and. Thanks Dad for giving me the opportunity to go away and come back a better man.

I still have the letters that we exchanged while I was over there. They are in a Randolph State Bank folder in my basement. When I found out that Dad had an illness, I searched half a night to find that folder. I read a few of his letters, but stopped short in order to save some for nights like tonight when I need him more than I needed him then.

Yes, my dad has left this world and is now with Jesus. As Dad was passing from this world to the next, I asked him to watch over me and my family. I asked him to be Ali and Zac's guardian angel. I kissed his forehead and held his hand and watched him slip away. As he passed, I prayed that his voyage be swift. I envisioned him free from pain and walking effortlessly towards the gates of Heaven. I shed a tear now thinking of him being greeted by Grandpa ( Archie ) Scott and Uncle Ralph. What a good time they are having in Heaven watching over me right now. I'm sure that they are playing cards now or working on something. Even in Heaven, things need to be tended to, I'm sure.

Yes, my Dad is gone. When I heard that Iowa State made the NCAA tournament, I reached for the phone to call him. I stopped short after dialing the 712 area code. Funny... sometimes habits by-pass the brain. For a second I had the perfect phrase to say when he answered the phone. "Hey Stud! Did you hear that Iowa State mad the tourney!" And he would have answered "Hi yah Bud! I just heard what do you think about that."

I was and always be Bud.

He will always be Stud.

Love you Dad.

Your Son

-Andy