Edward Beatty

This is the first time I have attempted to speak about my Grandfather, Edward Beatty, since he passed a couple months ago. My Grandpa Ed was a pilot, pianist, writer, and fisherman. I could jump off at many different points about someone so talented, but I would rather touch on what I have seen and personally absorbed.

At the end of my Grandpa Ed's life I know he had two daughters, but somewhere along the line he adopted one too. I can't speak for anyone else, but I know that my Mother, his daughter-in-law, and Grandfather had a special connection that I will never understand in the slightest. In the same unique way as my mother I also had an undefinable relationship with my Grandfather. The relationship between my Mother and Grandfather was that of a father and daughter. My Grandpa Ed and I may not have understood each other's choices through life, and I think we equally disappointed each other at times, but we loved each other deeply.

I remember listening to him play the piano, effortlessly. I remember him taking pride in my interests, they were closely related to his interests, but he still supported them regardless. He had flaws like all of us, but to me he was a great Grandfather.

When I would visit Hamilton Lake in the summer, where my Grandpa Ed lived, he would let me walk up the road to an old barn, where some of his friends lived, and play in the barn with a ton of kittens. Growing up on boats, playing in barns with kittens, fishing, swimming, riding in airplanes, and hearing his laugh are some of the greatest childhood memories a girl could have. The lake was a gathering place too, friends and family would live there or nearby on the weekends. I remember the Fish & Game club too, where we used to do pull tabs, listen to live bands, celebrate the Fourth of July, enjoy traveling circus, themed carnivals, and more piano.

Indiana is about small communities, but my Grandpa was a fixture in each of his. From the world of aviation to the words on printed paper Edward Beatty made his mark in the air above and on the paper we read.

Edward Beatty's work, acknowledgements, awards, and accomplishments don't add up to the value or worth that I have invested into my mind over the last 29 years. The image of my Grandfather will live on through my stories and his. We should all be so lucky.

My head bows to a man, a father, veteran, and patriot citizen of a world that goes by oh so quick.