Dad taught me trigonometry when I was 3rd grade and barely knew how to do math, let alone algebra... sines, cosines, and tangents... I use it all the time... as in ALL THE TIME.
The most valuable thing my dad taught me was how to be responsible for my actions.
Breaking it down, it had components:
How to be on time.
How to work when it was expected of you.
The importance of paying attention to and following the chain of command. Respect and work hard for your boss, make their job easier, don’t let them get surprised by things. Deliver value to your boss (and by proxy your employer and your country) Make them glad to pay you.
How to take responsibility for the quality of your work.
That a job is a privilege and not a right.
To be honorable. Do that by being loyal. Be chivalrous. Treat women of all ages in a respectful and polite manner even if they don’t deserve it. Respect your elders. Don’t be deliberately cruel, ever.
Worship God.
Appreciate what your country has done for you, and treat its symbols with respect. Respect the flag.
He planted all these things in me, mostly by his actions and behavior, not so much in words. He was an extremely quiet and reticent man. But he did impart it on me. I didn’t take it to heart and pay much attention to what he taught me as I advanced into my teens.
But as soon as I joined the Navy, everything I had ever learned from him clicked into place. I felt perfectly capable of becoming a sailor and doing what was expected of me. I never had an issue with tardiness. He imparted his work ethic, and I thank him every day.
Yep...I sure do love my dad.