Rob Jansen
My dad was the kind of person who always had a joke ready. No matter what was going on, he could find a way to make people laugh and put a smile on someone’s face. That was one of his gifts, making people feel lighter just by being around him.
He loved hard. He loved his family fiercely and showed it in so many ways through stories, advice, laughter, and simply always being there.
He was kind, strong, and incredibly smart. He seemed to know something about everything, but some of my favorite lessons came from standing next to him, talking fishing. I’ll miss hearing his stories and all of his advice, how fishing changed on a cloudy day versus a sunny day, or why an N or NW wind meant one thing and an S or SE wind meant another. Those little conversations never felt big at the time, and now they mean everything. I’ll miss the daily jokes. I’ll miss the fishing stories. I’ll miss calling him and hearing his voice.
The next generation of fishermen misses you too. Your grandkids just want to sit and watch fishing videos on repeat right now, and all they talk about is going to catch a billfish like Papa. I promise you, I’ll make it happen for them. And when that day comes, and they’re hooked up to their first one, I know you’ll be there with us, probably laughing and telling us we should’ve listened to the wind or changed the bait sooner.
Dad, thank you for teaching me to laugh, to love deeply, and to enjoy the simple things. The world feels different without you in it, but I’ll carry your stories, your lessons, and your love with me forever.
And knowing you… you got to heaven, shook everyone’s hand, found the best fishing hole in about ten minutes, and immediately started telling everyone that St. Peter had the wrong bait and the wind was all wrong. BUMP UP!!!! ....CRANK DOWN!!
Save me a spot in the boat.
Our secret handshake one last time…
Buddy one…
Buddy two…
Buddy buddy buddy buddy buddy.
Love you always DADDY-O!!!!!
