Interviews with local dads

This Father’s Day, the CNA reached out to a host of area dads and grandpas to ask them some important questions, including their favorite part about having kids.

Doug North - golf coach/SWCC assistant athletic director

Doug is the father of three kids: sons Sawyer (10) and Corbin (8) and daughter Willow (4). Though he would have lots of grandchildren around the world since he considers his former golfers to be like his “kids.”

His favorite stereotypical dad hobby is camping. “We have a small pop-up camper that we use all over,” Doug said. “Cooking over an open fire is one of my favorites. Also campfires in the back yard are a great way to end an evening.”

Doug is a Michigan fan, especially for football. “Honestly, I haven’t watched much sports (outside of work) the past 10 years. Kids will do that, right? I really enjoy getting to know our student-athletes and watching them compete; that would honestly be my favorite right now.”

His favorite part of being a dad is “sitting back and watching them have fun together or solve a problem together. You are only as strong as your tribe, and I love watching my tribe grow together,” Doug said. “Life is too fast, so taking a second to just pause and slow down is so worth it.”

Larry Peterson - freelance sportswriter/photographer and retired journalist and basketball coach

Larry is the father of two sons, Brett (40) and Kieth (36), and a grandpa to five: Sage (9), Benji (6), Willow (4), Ellowyn (4) and Crew (9 months).

His favorite stereotypical dad hobbies are golf and pickleball. “I enjoy golf at a recreational level, certainly not a high competitive level, and Deb and I enjoy pickleball and biking,” Larry said. “Pickleball became the passion late in life for a couple of old tennis players.”

Larry is a fan of several sports teams. “I’m equally passionate about the Green Bay Packers and St. Louis Cardinals, both since about 1967 as a 10-year-old, and the Boston Celtics to a lesser extent,” he said. “The boys and I all graduated from Iowa, so our family has always enjoyed going to Hawkeye games. It’s fun to see the grandkids in Hawk gear!”

He has many great moments being a dad and grandpa. “Our fondest memories are when the two boys were young and we’d take family trips together,” Larry said. “I enjoyed coaching them and their friends, and in the meantime we made a lot friends with the other parents. Being a grandparent is a great reward for all of the parenting work over the years. The way the grandkids show that they love being with grandma and grandpa just warms your heart. I love it and hope to gather many more memories with them over the years and watch them grow up and mature. It’s also nice to visit them, but not be responsible for them, or their discipline. We just give them the love!”

Fred Stewart - retired

Fred is the father of one daughter (49) and grandfather to a granddaughter (20) and grandson (18).

With his favorite dad hobby is golf, and his favorite sports team is the Indiana Fever. His favorite dad joke is about dad jokes.

“When does a joke become a dad joke? When it becomes apparent,” he said.

He joked when describing his favorite part about being a dad.

“I had total control over the perception of reality for that human, and it was an opportunity to test my style of grooming,” he said. “As it turns out, I’m not that good at it.”

Jim Norman - retired

Jim is father to two, Heather and Matthew, as well as grandfather to four: Stella, Charlotte, Harvey and Arlo.

Jim enjoys numerous stereotypical dad hobbies, including fishing, grilling and watching his grandchildren at sporting events, concerts and plays. His favorite sports team is the Kansas City Chiefs.

Jim’s favorite part of being a dad and grandfather is watching his kids and grandkids grow and learn.

Rob Hull - Co-owner of Hull Monument Services

Rob is the father of two sons, Bryce (19) and Caylon (17) and one daughter, Madilyn (12). He runs Hull Monument Services in Afton with his wife, Tess.

Fishing has hooked Rob, and he says the best part of the activity is that “it is something we can do as a whole family.” As a college football fan, his favorite team is the Hawkeyes.

“Watching my kids use the knowledge I have given them to succeed in their own lives,” was Rob’s favorite part about being a dad.

Jim Mossman - Lutheran pastor

Jim has two children, Jennifer and Michael.

Despite not being known for his dad jokes, Jim runs the circuit of dad activities, from grilling, fishing, bicycling, board gaming and learning WWII history. His favorite team is the Minnesota Twins.

As they’ve gotten older, Jim says his favorite part of being a dad is having conversations with his children.

“They’re pretty sharp!” Jim said.

Ryan Burwell - paramedic

Ryan is the father of daughter Olivia (18) and son Wyatt (15).

His favorite stereotypical dad hobbies are grilling and barbecuing. His favorite sports team is the Iowa Hawkeyes.

Ryan says he loves everything about being a dad. “Maybe not everything, but 99% of it anyway,” he clarified.

Rusty Zimmerman - Creston Parks and Recreation director

Rusty is the father of four girls: Emerson (8), Lydia (3), Riley (2) and Ada (newborn)

His favorite stereotypical dad hobby is camping, which he enjoys doing with his family. His favorite sports team is the Creston Panthers.

Rusty said his favorite thing about being a dad is getting to watch his daughters grow and learn.