Positive impact

Randy Jessen was my father-in-law. He had a positive impact on me, like so many others in this community.

I recently found out that when he was younger he had attempted to join the U.S. Air Force, but was denied for medical reasons.

It made me think he probably would have made a better U.S. Marine instead. I think about the Marine Corps leadership traits, wishing I could master at least one.

Randy mastered all of them. Justice, good judgment, decisiveness, initiative, dependability, tact, independence, enthusiasm, bearing, unselfishness, courage, knowledge, loyalty and endurance.

I am lucky to know others with those positive characteristics who are still with us — my father, Gene Goedker, Chuck Isackson, Bob Ehrich, Bob Weston, Charlie Bartels, Dan Peters, Scott Fisher, and Jim Grant, just to name a few. Of course behind these men are just as amazing women. My hope is that we take time to appreciate these wonderful people while they are still around and honor them when they are gone.

Rest in peace and thank you Randy!

Kevin Goedker

Brainerd