He served as a RAF pilot during World War II when longevity was rare. Later, not long before I was born, he was badly injured in a civil air accident when his aircraft iced up.

When I was three-years-old he had two engine failures in single-engine aircraft but successfully landed on rugged South Island beaches.

When I was 10-years-old, he was nearly killed with a double engine failure and crash landing into the Shotover River at Queenstown, close to our home. When I was 15-years-old, he again nearly died from peritonitis.

Suddenly, when I was 27-years-old my Dad did die, while I was in my first year of church and community ministry. I still miss him these 35 years on.

My Dad - Captain Brian Waugh - made a big impression on me, not only his flying adventures but because he was a good man. He gave us children time with a special focus for each of us; for me, it was especially about cars; for my sister music and my brother rugby.

In his younger days, my Dad was not especially spiritual; yet he supported my Mum and came to church when he was able.

Later in life he made a more deliberate commitment to God, thankful for God's protection over his life, and became an intentional and growing disciple of Jesus Christ, never missing a Sunday in worship.

I cherish the memory of his prayers at family mealtimes and encouragement at key times in my early life; when I first started work as a 17-year-old in the motor industry, commending my ministry call and meeting my wife-to-be. All those memories mean a great deal to me.

If your Dad is alive; cherish him, warts and all, as our earthly existence can be surprisingly short and the precious relationship of Father to children - and grandchildren - is so important and doesn't last forever.

From my own experience with my Dad and my own parenting. I continue to learn much. Continue reading

• Rev Dr Richard Waugh is a long-time church leader in east Auckland, a former Howick Citizen-of-the-Year and absolutely committed to strong family life. He is also an Aviation Chaplain, historian, author and spokesperson for the Erebus National Memorial.

St Columbia-Brigid Roman Catholic Church in Buffalo, New York, put up the sign earlier this month with the message, "Jesus had 2 dads and he turned out just fine".

Fr Roy Herberger, pastor of the church, said it was meant to be an encouraging message for children in the congregation who had stepparents.

However, some people interpreted the message to be one supporting same-sex marriage.

The sign was taken down on last week.

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