Fair and Freckled: Grampa Pobst

My Grampa Pobst was a wonderful man.

As a kid, Russ and I were fortunate to enjoy visits to the Ranch, rides in the brownie, playing on the orchard and in the gully, learning to sweep the warehouse properly, tending bees, trips to the fruit cocktail tree, games of Yahtzee, The Odd Couple and WKRP, rumors of the gilhooly machine, trips to the San Juans on the sailboat, and constant love.

Grampa helped teach us to ski - and he was impressive to watch. I still hear his voice in my head as I'm making turns on the hill: "Down, up, down"! He came to many of our events: games, parties, performances of many kinds. Our friends grew up knowing our grandparents because they were always there.

In college, Grama and Grampa came to visit and more friends got to know them. They explored the world together and shared stories, pictures, and a love of travel. I started to realize how lucky I was to have grandparents like mine (all of them!) and how many of my friends didn't get to experience the same closeness. I was always Grampa's "8K Allstotski".

Even when I went far from home, they came to see me. We climbed Stone Mountain together - just one of many adventures.

And Grampa always had his adventuring partner, for that's what Grama was - his partner. In everything. Sailing, orcharding, traveling...they were equals. I remember that Grampa wore the "First Mate" sweatshirt on the boat and Grama's read "Captain" because they thought turning expected gender norms upside down was funny. And I grew up thinking it was normal.

They were both so happy at our wedding. Bryan was much loved by my Grampa.

They came to watch him coach in Stanfield, just like they had traveled to see him play. He was one of theirs. For those who got to be one of theirs, it was a joy. They were fiercely loyal and maintained friendships that lasted from their childhoods.

When Mitch came along, Grampa became Great Papa. And he was great. He doted on Mitch for 10 years, reading and talking and playing with him.

Shannon fascinated him, too, and he loved her. He was playful with them, and very interested in their safety and well-being. I'm so glad our kids got to know him.

When Grampa turned 90, we gathered to celebrate. He and Grama were married more than 69 years. They raised 3 wonderful children together. They enjoyed retirement for 24 years, traveling together and sharing adventures. When Alzheimer's began, they fended it off together, giving all of us more time.

And then time ran out.

My Grampa passed on the afternoon of Friday, November 8th. We got to say good-bye, tell him how loved he was, and see others come and do the same. It was painful and beautiful. A testament to a life well-lived. And through it all, my Grama's love for her best friend shown through.