Hats off to all the fathers celebrating Sunday with their families.

Our fathers are, in most cases, one of our first role models. They set many of the values we hold dear.

My own father dropped out of high school to help support his parents and siblings by working on a riverboat on the Mississippi River. When I was small, he worked shifts at a factory and taught himself algebra so he could earn his GED and a promotion to a higher-paying job at the plant.

Lessons learned and valued: Hard work and education are important. Family is precious; cherish it.

Through our lives we also find father figures. People who step into the role of mentor and guide us in new directions.

One for me was a former Eagle wire editor, the late Charles Duncil, who encouraged my love of journalism, and the late John L. Wise Jr., editor in chief until 1995, who gave an enthusiastic and somewhat pushy Butler County kid an internship and later a rewarding job.

We all have these people in our lives and watched them step up in our children’s lives. Some are coaches, teachers, librarians or neighbors.

One of my son’s martial arts instructors would often take this teen who was developing formidable skills and winning medals aside to tell him what was really important — to honor, respect and value his father. Lessons learned. As an accomplished professional, he values the conversations and times he has with his dad.

Daughters and sons need that attention and guidance from their fathers. It shapes how they see the world and how they value themselves.

New fathers taking their children to the park for the first time, sharing a hobby such as fishing or chess, or putting dinner on the table, instill important values. Spending time together is a joy, discovering new pursuits enlarges our world and experiences, and providing for those you love so they can flourish is a duty and honor.

More seasoned fathers are pushing their children to explore new paths. They are there to support them when the situation doesn’t work out and to celebrate when it does.

Grandfathers are love on steroids. My dad took his job seriously, taking the kids camping and my daughter on a cross-country adventure. The time they spent together greatly influenced who they are today. Lessons learned. Moments cherished.

Later in life come the painful lesson that time with those we love is shorter than we pray for. Enjoy the moments.

Happy Father’s Day.

— DJS