Father's (and Grandfather's) Day

On my dad, Grandpa Kammerer, and the Arboretum family.

Grandpa Kammerer at the Arboretum with my dad

This Father's Day, it felt apt to write a short dispatch not just about the connection I have to my grandfather and his work at the Arboretum, but also about my dad’s memories of his father. Grandpa Kammerer passed away decades before my brother and I were born, and as a result, we didn't know him beyond the basic details of his life and work.

A result of this deep dive into my grandfather’s life that means a great deal to me is seeing my dad open up about and share memories of his father—personal as well as Arboretum related. Seeing him excited to receive these emails in his inbox and hearing him recount the stories they jog in his memory has been the most valuable gift my writing could possibly deliver.

David Kammerer with his Father, E. Lowell Kammerer

I asked Dad if there was any particular story or memory of his father that he'd want to share on Father’s Day, and he recounted some interests beyond his work at the Arboretum.

He mentioned his dad’s love of birds—how every day after arriving home from work his dad would head out to the yard, deadhead (remove the spent blooms from) an incredibly wide variety of Hemerocallis, and then proceed to clean the bird baths and replenish food in the numerous feeders placed there for feathered friends. I've noticed this excitement about birds in my grandpa's journals as well; he noted many birds he'd see both in his yard at Riverby and at the Arboretum, changing through the seasons of each year.

My dad also mentioned his father’s collection of duck decoys—some of which went on to adorn the mantle over our fireplace growing up. I love finding threads like this, that link generations together.

A quartet of my grandfather’s wooden duck decoys in a variety of patterns and colors.

Incidentally, while discovering more about my own family and my grandfather, I've come to learn that for decades the Arboretum was truly a family in its own right. The small staff were not only colleagues, but friends, and from the Director down to children of staff who worked summers doing odd jobs (like my dad!) the familial vibe resonated through the entire employee roster. I've written about the staff vacation cottages in southwestern Michigan, and have a piece in the works talking more about the Arboretum “family” and the Centennial this year.

Hoping you all had an wonderful day with either your families of origin or the families you've chosen, and we're able to enjoy memories of fathers (and grandfathers) who continue to be with us in spirit.

If you have topics you’re interested to hear more about or feedback for me, please feel free to let me know in the comments.

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