My dad claimed to have acquired his taste for beer during WWII. As I remember the story, he was stationed in the Philippines and had to wait in the hot sun to ferry some officers back to his ship. Someone brought a couple of cold ones as a treat, and they really hit the spot.
My father was a machinist by trade, and loved to build things in his basement. He and his cousin worked on a project for the cousin's son's lobster restaurant/store in Maine. My dad built a roller machine that squeezed the meat from the little lobster legs, keeping it intact and useable. This greatly increased the profitability of the business and he'd always get a pound or two of tender lobster leg meat when his cousin came to visit us in MA. What I don't remember is where did all the test lobsters go? Maybe the cousin brought bags of little legs for test purposes.
And back to the original thought! I really wish my dad was here to build me a grain mill. He'd love the project, and I'd have something he made.
The best part is, really, thinking about Everett every time I brew or even look at a grain mill. Just seeing a well-made or novel machine makes me happy.
I'm lucky to still have my dad around. He is really not that old at late 60's. He has slowed down a lot in the last few years but he is just as ornery as ever.
I never seemed to be able to do anything good enough for my Dad but I learned over the years to know when he was proud even though he has never said it...yet. He always had a habit of suggesting some better way I could have done something. I never had a lot of confidence in myself because of that but I gained a lot of valuable insight.
I would not have written otherwise this but he has been sick lately. For close to a month. He's had all the tests and no problems have been found thankfully. He has just not been around like usual. I miss him and hope he is back pestering me soon.
edit: After I read that back, it really didn't seem to be much of a response to your post. You sparked me with the building thing. My Dad can build/fix anything too if he puts his mind to it. That is the best thing I like to think I have learned from him.