THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, December 18, 1994 TAG: 9412160230
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 18 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Close Up
LENGTH: Medium: 78 lines
After his wife's death nine years ago, Robert McDaniel says he lost interest in doing much of anything.
``But my daughter said, `You're gonna do something!' That's how I got into woodworking,'' he said.
After 35 years as a welder and smoker, McDaniels has emphysema and must take his oxygen tank out to his workshop with him. But despite his condition, he has been working like a beaver helping other folks get ready for the holiday season.
He cuts out wooden Santa Clauses, sleds, reindeer and angels for folks to use in decorating for Christmas. He only cuts the shapes; he leaves painting the designs to others.
``If somebody comes with a pattern, then I do that. I'm not worrying about making money. It's just something to keep me busy.'' He said folks seem to like his work, and he has already begun to receive orders for next year.
He has a long history of filling Christmas wishes just for the joy of making someone happy.
``We lived in the country and cut our own Christmas trees,'' said Mary Delaney, his only child. ``I remember one year when my mother was unhappy with the smaller trees because they looked crushed and deformed. Then she saw the top of a tree she liked. My dad climbed the tree and cut out the top 6 feet just for her. It was gorgeous.''
``I've always loved Christmas,'' he said. ``I'm still a kid at heart.''
But his attitude has not always been so upbeat.
``The woodworking is why I'm still here,'' he said. ``If I fill my lungs with sawdust, then I'll die happy.''
Full name: Robert E. McDaniel
Birthdate: Dec. 10, 1914
Grew up: ``I was born in Louisiana and grew up in Mississippi. Nine years ago I moved up here.''
Childhood memories: ``I have roller skated all my life. Santa Claus brought me a pair of the old buckle-on skates when I was around 12. There were very few places to skate except around the courthouse. But it stuck with me. I have been known to travel 120 miles to go roller skating for two hours. We'd drive from Greenwood, Miss., to Memphis, Tenn., just to skate. When my daughter came along, she loved skating, too. We didn't see anybody else do anything that we didn't try. About three years ago I had an implant put in my left knee. I have been skating a couple or three times since then.''
Retired from: ``Lane Central Deep Well Contractors. I was a machinist and welder and skated at night. For 27 years, I worked two jobs, I was also the floor manager at a skating rink four nights a week in Cleveland, Miss.''
Children: Mary Delaney, three grandchildren and two great-grandchildren
Hobbies: ``I don't have time for hobbies. When I'm not in my shop, I'm usually in my easy chair.''
Favorite song: ``One that came out years and years ago, `Help Me Through the Night.' ''
Can't resist: ``My church, Immanuel Baptist''
Pets: A German shepherd dog and a big, black cat
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? ``Just to get to where I could breathe real good.''
Greatest accomplishment: ``A little better than 50 years with my wife.''
Favorite TV program: ``Football has always been a thing with me. I like all sports, except golf. I'd just as soon watch ice melt as to watch golf.''
Favorite restaurant: ``I don't really have one. I'm a leftover-cleaner-upper.''
Biggest problem facing Chesapeake: ``Getting the traffic to where it can move faster.''
Favorite way to spend a day: ``I would have to go back to Sunday. After church, I usually take Sunday as my day of rest. I watch TV and piddle around in the yard.'' ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by STEVE EARLEY
Robert McDaniel has been working like a beaver cutting wood patterns
to help other folks get ready for the holiday season.
by CNB