He Lived on His Own Terms

    In the 20 years I have known my father in law Jake Spinnett, I don't know if I ever really understood him. He was a complex and contradictory man, strikingly intellegent without being intellectual, possessing an artist's love for life as well as temperment.  He lived life on his own terms, and never worried about what others thought of him.  Our relationship was complicated, but I always enjoyed our conversations, and the more I learned of him, the more I admired his independent spirit.
    In the winter of 2002 when we lived in Pennsylvania, Jake stayed with us for Christmas and Marina's first birthday.  The trip had it's highlights -- a trip to New York, Paul Newman on Broadway, and dinner in Chinatown - where he spoke Japanese to those waiting in line.  It was also the last time Dad had been in the Big Apple since after WWII.  The trip also had it's lows -- we all got the flu over Chirstmas day.  Finally the day arrived for me to drive him to the airport in Newark.  The trip was arduous -- 125 miles, much of it in the snow.  About half way there, the generator belt broke on my car.  I managed to pull into a truck stop and called AAA.  Jake went in to the restaurant to use the restroom.  While standing by my car, I weighed my options.  We were still two hours away, it was a Saturday in the middle of the Poconos, and I had no idea how long it would take to get the car repaired.  About that time I heard the blast of a truck air horn.  I was stunned to see Jake in the cab of a big 18 wheeler.  He grabbed his bags and with a smile was off in a cloud of dust leaving me still scratching my head.  You see, while I was trying to figure out how to make it to Newark airport, Jake was inside the coffee shop, telling the truckers of our plight.  One driver by the name of Jesus said he was on his way to Newark, and I believe ended up dropping him off right at departing flights.
    Jake was not the kind that waited around considering his options, he took charge of his life and lived by his own rules.  He was a true original whom I will never forget. 
    Richard Smith