The final solution (at least for me):
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Want to avoid this...
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I have a good story about getting this together. First, thank you guys for all the information and the input. Really helpful. Second, I decided to use Bill Rusk's suggestions, ordered the parts he listed above and they were received just 2 days later.
I was looking for the 2" diameter square steel that was 3/16" thick so I stopped by "Izzy's Welding" shop in Park Rapids. I have driven by there a thousand times, as it is right on the road between the cabin and Park Rapids. This was just 2 weeks ago today. I introduced myself to who I thought must be Izzy, a tall blonde haired fellow who looks to be in his 40's and I asked if he was Izzy. Nope, he was Izzy's son, Sean. Sean went on to explain that Izzy was his Dad, but that he was pretty sick and that Sean would do what he could to help me. He didn't have 3/16" steel, but he did have 1/4" steel, I agreed to it and he cut me a 36" length of the tubing, charged me $25. We began shooting the bull and he asked me what the steel was for, and I explained the need for a spreader bar for my Super Cub. We talked about flying for a little bit and he asked me if I might be able to do him a favor. I replied that I would if I could and here was his request...
His Dad, Izzy, had a malignant brain tumor that was inoperable, and he had problems focusing on his work. Izzy came down to the shop a couple of times each week, as he loved welding and Sean always saved some welding for him to do. Sean said his Dad just sat there and smiled as he welded things for Sean. I asked how he was doing and he said that it was getting harder for his Dad to come to the shop, and he was losing weight. I relayed my sadness to Sean for what he and his family were facing. Sean asked me if it would be possible for him to ride with me and help scatter his Dad's ashes when the time might come, and I smiled and said that I would be happy to. In fact, I told him, there is a group of Supercub.org pilots who have a thread running in which the good, the bad and the ugly with regard to dispersing ashes had been discussed. Sean thanked me and I gave him my contact information.
Sunday Julie and I were on our way to the airport to fly home and Izzy's workshop door was open so we stopped by to see how Sean's Dad was doing. He had tears in his eyes as he told me that his Dad had passed away 4 days ago. I patted him on the arm and expressed my sincere sadness at this news, he was choking back tears and I went on with Julie to the airport.
I decided to share this with you, my dear friends, to let you know that your guidance helped me cross paths with Sean and through this experience we perhaps helped him along his path. I'll be searching for the thread to which I previously eluded in weeks to come, when it is the right time for Sean, and we will collectively team up to help him.
So, thanks isn't quite strong enough a word to express how grateful I am for you all. Thank you.
Randy