Retired Machinist wins Father of the Decade Award

Intelligent.

Leader.

Financially stable.

Supportive.

Coach.

Independent.

Loving.

These words and many more can be used to describe the wonderful man and father that is Richard Grodus.

From teaching his children how to drive a stick shift and change their own oil to encouraging them to get involved in sports and other activities, Michael and Kim are grateful for how much of a beacon of support their father has been. Kim got to play college softball and basketball, and even professional football, and Michael got to play college hockey and even bowl in and win a doubles tournament with his father. They are both also mightily successful in their careers, and that is all thanks to the precedent set forth by their father.

Michael and Kim have always looked up to Richard, and that is because they have always wanted to be like him. He has been a hard worker who lives out what he preaches, from saving money to being a good leader.

“He’s been a role model my whole life,” Michael said. “He defines hard work. Mind over matter. He taught that to my sister and I, and he lives it daily. My dad’s been an inspiration to me my whole life.”

Richard was a machinist who is very handy around his own house, and without his preaching of work ethic and working harder than anyone else in the room, Michael would probably not be a CFO and Kim would probably not be an unprecedented female UPS driver.

Without Richard getting his kids involved in sports early on in life, not only would they likely not still be involved in sports to this day, but they would not have learned some of the important lessons they learned from playing sports.

“They taught us teamwork,” Michael said. “Sports taught us how to win and how to lose.”

The Grodus kids also share a fondness of gambling with their father. They have all been playing poker together for as long as Michael and Kim can remember, and Michael still has monthly poker games with his buddies and his father.

On top of this, Richard really enjoys being there for other people. Selflessness is a big part of who he is, and a lot of people are very appreciative of this fact.

“He will always help others,” Michael said. “Dad is always helpful. His neighbor had issues, and the neighbor was not mechanically adept. Dad just wanted to help, even though the guy did not ask him.”

That’s just who Richard is. He is constantly there for others and does things for them.

He did this for his kids as they were growing up, as he made Christmas day memorable for Michael and Kim (despite Richard hating winter), and he even has an Easter tradition of hiding baskets around the house to mask his dislike of winter and fondness of spring.

For Richard, it has always been about his kids and about others, and he showed this time and again by showing up to his kids’ sporting events, even being Michael’s hockey coach. He is also there for those around him at the drop of a hat, and his love, support and care does not go unnoticed.

“He’s the best dad in the world. He’s just been the best dad. To me and my sister, he’s been amazing. He’s not a guy of a lot of words, but he is a great example.” – Michael