Condolence: William Martin Viskup
1/15/1930- 10/30/2016

My father, William Martin Viskup, was a great man. Anyone who ever knew my dad would agree.
My dad was born in the U. S. A. but was raised in Czechoslovakia. His formative years were spent in Europe during World War II. Life wasn't easy. My dad witnessed many bad things during that time. It certainly wasn't a pleasant existence. Yet the memories of his childhood , as told to me and my sisters, rarely included stories of horror. Instead ,my dad told us stories of growing up on the "Vershek", which translates to mountaintop in English. He told positive stories, mostly, stories that had lessons attached to them.
Like the story of my dad riding his bike or skiing to school in a mountainous region of Czechoslovakia. He told us that he had to travel 10 miles to school , downhill, and travel 20 miles, uphill, back home. As a young son, I didn't get the joke. But, now I do, more than he will ever know. I also got the lessons in life that he was teaching me and my sisters with those stories. That's what a great man does. That's what a dad does.
My dad was a great husband to my mom, who was also a great wife to him as well. The first time my dad and mom met, he told her that he was going to marry her. My mom told him off, with a few choice words, and a short while later ,was walking down the aisle to join him at the altar. Nowadays, you would call my father "a player", but that characterization wouldn't do him justice. Players aren't always loyal but my dad was. He and my mom were married for 63 years until death made them part. My dad was a husband any woman would dream about having , even if he had a nose the size of a small village in Czechoslovakia. I can't talk much about it because I inherited my nose from him, and am proud to wear it on my face.
Oddly, even his large nose had a lesson attached to it. I learned that hot chicks really don't look at that huge honker. Instead, they look at the soul of a man, and any woman who doesn't really isn't someone you want to share your life with anyway.
My dad worked hard for most, if not all, of his life. My dad taught me and my sisters the value of hard work and of having a good education. He scorned things like stealing or being disloyal. He stressed the values of perseverance , pride and service, to name a few. He never gave up, and we learned.
But, the most beautiful thing about my dad was that he taught us love. Love in many forms; love and tolerance, love and understanding, self love.
My dad loved and spread it to everyone he met. When you heard his booming voice saying hallo hallo, you knew love. No pretense, no quid pro quo, just plain love.
What more can a man be in order to be viewed as a great man?
Yes, my dad made it with his wife and family in America. He achieved the wealth needed to live a comfortable life. But his swan song is the love that he showed on this earth and the love that continues because my dad was a great man.
Rest in peace Daddy.
Your love lives in all of us.

Condolence: Heaven gained another angel. I know he was greeted with open arms by those that have already passed which makes it much more comforting. He possessed the strongest will I've ever seen. His spirit was so radiant, he never had a bad day, no matter how bad it was or ever complained. He loved life...he loved his life and the life he created.

He came to this country with nothing and struggled so that his family could have things that others only dream of. From him, we all learned that hard work, perseverance, and determination will unlock doors so that your dreams could be met. But MOST importantly, he showed us the meaning of love.

I was lucky enough to have this great man and teacher in my life for almost 38 years. I was lucky enough for him to walk me down the aisle and for him to meet my daughter. I was so lucky to have called him dedo.

I love you always!

Condolence: I am so sorry for your loss. Bill was such a devoted husband. He loved his "Sweetheart " his beautiful Anna. It just breaks my heart to know she will be looking for her sweetheart everyday. He was quite a man his smile filled a room and he had kind words for everyone. We lost a wonderful man heaven gained an Angel to watch over his friends loved ones. My prayers go out to all lives touch by this beautiful man.