Bengt Hermansson

I remember the first time I met Bengt he was smiling and so happy to meet me that it felt like I had already known him for some time. I think I'll always remember that because he did that nearly every time we met. He just lit up and you knew right away he cared and was glad to see you.

As time went on he shared himself with me and I got to know him a little better. He had a good sense of humor and a cheerful outlook. He was proud of his family. He loved his wife Ingela and his children Anette and Marcus.

When visiting the house where their family grew, I saw photos of the kids going on caravan with the camper he built or playing in the yard on the play equipment he built. It seemed like their summers were a traveling adventure.

When our family started to grow, Bengt and Ingela were always there to greet each new grandchild, Sarah, Danny and Eric. They loved and were proud of each of them. We had a new small car, a Honda Civic that Bengt liked a lot. I recall several times that he and I would be out on our own riding around listening to oldies on the radio in that car. I was amazed at the number of old songs he knew. We would sing along to the songs, mangling the lyrics - he probably because it was another language, me because I always misheard them. I'm sure I messed them up more than he did.

We parked the Honda for many years because it was too small until our kids had grown up. Last year we put it on the road again with a newer touchscreen radio that shows the lyrics as the oldies play. I often look over to the empty seat and think of Bengt there with me glad that I got to travel with him through part of his life.

I miss him very much, he has always been so nice and from everything that I have heard about him from the past is nothing but good. I wish I could have seen him again but I'll be able to look at our pictures and remember being with him when I was younger.