My Old Man

Captain Carl LindAs a boy I only knew my grandfather from my mother’s side. My paternal grandfather, John, was dead long before I was born. In that he died of his own hand my Father was reluctant to speak of him so I knew very little of his life. Now that I am a grandfather I feel compelled to tell my father’s story for the sake of all who follow. Therefore, I am writing this piece to honor him on his 96th birthday and make a record for the sake of his great-grandchildren, and beyond.

Carl A. Lind was born on June 28th, 1920 in Gatia, Romania. His family immigrated to the United States when he was two years old. The Lind Family settled in Cincinnati, Ohio. He attended St. Leo’s parochial grade school and then  Elder High School from 1932 to 1934. He did not graduate from Elder High School (until later) because in his early years there the unspeakable happened and his father took his own life. Carl was forced to leave school and seek employment to help support the family. He began working at age fifteen and was never unemployed, even during the depression years. I do not have a clear understanding of how his time was spent from 1934 until 1943. I do know that some of it was spent as a member of the Civilian Conservation Corps and part of it was spent as a merchant marine.10399966_10207951216570748_521075774350072743_n

He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1943. Following Basic Training in Charleston, South Carolina, he served in Glasgow, Scotland, Liverpool, England, and Cherbourg, France. I assume his experience in the Merchant Marines played a part in his assignment as an Army Tug Boat Commander. He rose to the rank of Staff Sergeant and was honorably discharged in 1945. I know very little of his war-time experience for he did not like to talk about it. After being discharged he worked at various civilian jobs. He applied to the Cincinnati Police Department and was assigned as a Police Recruit in December of 1945.

After graduating Recruit School in February of 1946 he was transferred to his first of many assignments. His first assignment was to the Highway Safety Bureau. He also served in various districts, the Crime Bureau, and the Vice Control Bureau. He was promoted to Sergeant in 1951, to Lieutenant in 1953, and to Captain in 1967. He retired as a police Captain serving as the Administrative Assistant to the Police Chief in 1971, but his civil service did DSC_0129not end there. Following his retirement, he was rehired as the Director of the Program Management Bureau, the first to command a bureau as a civilian. During all of this he also found time to complete high school and get a Batchelor of Science Degree from the University of Cincinnati, majoring in Psychology.

He retired in 1985 and that not only marked the end of his working years, but the end of his healthy years. Within the first year he was diagnosed with a heart blockage and a triple bypass was performed, Six months later he developed another blockage so his chest was cracked for the second time where an aortic bypass was performed. He enjoyed a brief period of of good health until early in 1989 when he was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Due to his immune system being compromised from Chemo Therapy he developed a serious lung infection which took his life in September of 1989, at the age of 69.

He died 27 years ago and I have missed him every day since. If it sounds like I am bragging, it is because I am. I will not say my old man could beat up your old man (but he probably could). I am a better person because of him. Many of my life decisions were made because of him. I would go so far as to say that I am who I am because of him. I know there are some who will read this article and who also knew my father. If any have any stories to share, I would love to hear them. Tell your story in the comment section below.

I love you Dad, Happy Birthday!

 

Those are my thoughts, what are yours?

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Tom Lind

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6 Comments

  1. KimJune 28, 2016

    What a great tribute, Tom. I’m crying my eyes out. <3 He was the best dad, and I miss him every single day, too. We were all so blessed. <3

    Reply
  2. Judy aka Judi aka JudithJune 29, 2016

    This is wonderful Tom! No good asking why but I so wish he could have been with us longer! He was just the best Dad! I love him so much and wish he could be with us now! Most of my favorite childhood memories are based around Dad ! Happy Happy Birthday Dad! I can still hear him saying ‘Youre not mad at your old Dad are you?”and piping Kim and I a piece of gum after we got in trouble ( probably Kim’s fault!😊 When Dad died I lost my fear of death because it was so comforting to know he would be there waiting for me!😤

    Reply
  3. Judy aka Judi aka JudithJune 29, 2016

    that was supposed to say slipping not piping and that
    reminded me of him playing Wooden Heart on his harmonica! I also learned a lot about his time in the service by this post. Tom you’re the Best Big Brother! I love you!

    Reply
  4. Joe HallJune 30, 2016

    Tom and Siblings, I knew your Dad when I started on the CPD in 1967, I think he was the Night Chief as I recall. He used to smoke a pipe “back in the day”. He was well respected as the Night Chief and made his presence known. When he showed up on the scene, he was all business, he was very intelligent and had a “command presence”. He and my father, the late Ret. CPD LT. Virgil Hall worked together and knew and respected each other. I remember when he was The Administrative Assistant to the Police Chief and The Director of The Program Management Bureau as a Civilian. He was well trusted by the police chief and senior command staff. The rumor mill said he “ran the police department” I know he was very influential and mentored many command staff members. He was often sought out for his opinion on many issues. He was a “self made man” who had to work hard for what he attained. I also knew Kim as a Clerk at The Juvenile Bureau, she was young but was very intelligent and professional going about her duties. May CPD Police Captain and Program Management Bureau Director Carl A. Lind RIP, Respectfully, Joe Hall, Ret. CPD LT.

    Reply
    1. KimJuly 1, 2016

      Thank you, Joe, for your kind comments about my dad, and for remembering me! It was so wonderful to see you today at John’s graduation. Lots of good memories. Kim

      Reply
      1. AnonymousJune 29, 2018

        KIM,
        Thank You for your Reply to my comments. It is very nice that Tom took the time to reflect on your Dad’s Life,
        Sincerely, Joe Hall

        Reply

Feel free to comment, why should I have the last word.

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