Neal R. Cholvin

Grandpa and I spent a lot of time together. We'd have dinner dates where we would discuss the latest updates with my job, life, and the state of the world at large. I'll always remember how deeply and sincerely he encouraged me. In fact, he was such a cheerleader and wisdom-giver for everyone around him. His mentorship of the young people he encountered stands out as something I will always admire about him. He cared so much about people being able to achieve their dreams and he was always ready to share advice. That advice often came in the form of his "sermonizing" as he called it with more than a hint of self-deprecation.

Grandpa and I worked on a few projects together which were deeply meaningful to us both. One was a memorial to my grandma, Valerie Cholvin, who passed away in 2015. Grandpa and I assembled some of her artwork and bound it together in book form for family members. We also undertook to write the annual Cholvin "Christmas" letters. These letters seldom - if ever - made it out by Christmas, but it was a longstanding tradition that Grandma and Grandpa used to create together until her passing. I was honored to step into this work with Grandpa and keep the letter going. We never got the final letter out, but Grandpa was determined to reach out to his friends and family who he hoped to hear from and catch up. To those of you who would have gotten a letter, know that Grandpa thought of you often.

I'm lucky to have had an especially meaningful moment with Grandpa before he wasn't able to communicate much more. He told me he was proud of me, that he loved me, and that he was glad to be my grandpa. I'll miss his frankness and grandfatherly encouragement. I'll miss his sense of humor and the stories he shared with us on repeat. I'll even miss seeing Chips Ahoy or Oreo crumbs in a stick of butter (yes, you read that right). He was a Midwest boy through and through. I feel lucky that I was able to know Grandpa so well - and I know that I'll always keep his memory near.