Dear old dad
Chesterfield dads recall their favorite Father's Day memories
By Sande Snead CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Peter Johnson's favorite Father's Day activity is spending time with his children, Connor and Alyssa.

Poor dads. They work hard all day, come home and have to fix stuff and unclog the toilet. They drive the family to the beach every summer, and what recognition do they get in return? When Father's Day rolls around, the family scrambles to get Dad another shirt or a maybe a snazzy new tie.

But what does dear old Dad really want? We asked a few Chesterfield dads to share their thoughts in time for this June 17. This is what they said:

Peter Johnson, 34, teaches kindergarten through fifth grade at Bon Air Elementary School. He is working on his master's degree in supervision administration at Virginia Commonwealth University. Johnson lives in the Triple Crown/Deer Run area of Chesterfield with his wife, Amy, and their children, Connor, 4, and Alyssa, 2. In his spare time, he enjoys working around the house, woodworking and running.

What would be the best Father's Day gift ever?

For Lt. Emmett Williams, the best Father's Day gift ever would be spending the day on the golf course with his daughter, Emma.

Spending time with my family. That's my No. 1 thing.

What's the best thing about being a dad?

Being able to see your children grow and watch them as they learn new things.

What is your favorite Father's Day memory?

It would have to be going to a New York Yankee's baseball game with my father when I was in middle school. We are huge Yankee's fans, and we lived in New Jersey, which is only about 45 minutes to an hour away from the stadium. I went with my dad and my two brothers. It is a great memory.

Lt. Emmett Williams, 46, works for the Richmond Police Department and has joint custody of his daughter, Emma, who will be 16 in October. They live in Riverton. He enjoys golfing and swimming when not working and spending time with his daughter.

What has been your most memorable Father's Day?

It's hard to choose just one because each one has been a special day.

What would be the best Father's Day gift ever?

It would be being able to spend the day on the golf course with my daughter. We hit the ball a little bit together, and she does very well! What's the best thing about being a father?

The best thing is probably just watching them grow from an infant to a small child to an adolescent and the anticipation of watching them grow into a young adult and going out on their own.

What are your favorite memories of fatherhood?

The time we spent together at Mount Vernon on a third- or fourth-grade field trip was tremendously fun. Seeing her with all of her friends and just watching all the kids enjoy a beautiful day at Mount Vernon.

Mitch Rand, 43, is co-owner of C&K Auto Parts with his brother, Chris. He and his wife, Catherine Gill, live in Tarrington with their children, Lillian, 15, and Andrew, 18. In his spare time, he works out, plays golf and spends time with his family.

What would be the best Father's Day ever?

Being with my children for the day.

What's the best thing about being a dad?

For me, it really is just having my children around. I never had a Father's Day with my father. He was never around. He left when I was in the seventh grade, and frankly, I don't remember much about him before that. I am fortunate though because my mother remarried when I was 17 and she and George are celebrating their 26th anniversary, so I always felt like he was my dad.

What is your favorite Father's Day memory?

We were living in Virginia, but I had to be in Florida for work, so Lillian flew down to Orlando, and we spent two days together in Disney World over Father's Day weekend. That was really special.