By Alexa Hinton, ahinton@nashvillecitypaper.com
 
Friends of furniture store owner Charles Sprintz joke that if they could be reincarnated, they’d like to come back as one of the 73-year-old’s children.

“I hold my family up on a pedestal,” Sprintz, the father of three and grandfather of five said. “Whatever they need, within reason, they get.”

Whether it’s coaching little league baseball and basketball teams; funding the 13-member family vacations to Italy, Colorado or South Carolina; or dropping plans to keep a vow to his daughter-in-law to accompany her on every single doctor’s appointment for her breast cancer treatment, Sprintz makes the effort to put his family first.

His exceptional relationships with his children and devoted community involvement caught the eye of the American Diabetes Association and the Middle Tennessee Father’s Day Council, who join together every year to recognize the best of the best in family leaders. Last week, Sprintz was one of five local men to be named 2013 “Father of the Year” by the joint committee.

“I put my family first. My wife and my children all come first. That’s what it is all about – being attuned to family. You have to do your work, but give to your family of your time and your energy,” Sprintz said.

What is your favorite memory with your father?
My father worked a lot – he was a retail merchant, he had women’s and children’s retail stores throughout south Florida, and his time with family was given on Sundays when we’d play golf together. Otherwise, during the week my mom was more involved, but coming into my teens we played golf together a lot. We were a close family, and I think my father and mother instilled that in me.

What is your No. 1 advice to young fathers?
Even though they need to work, they need to make family a priority. Of course children, once they get to be out of high school, if you haven’t given them any time, you can forget about it because they are out on their own. It is important to spend as much time instilling family togetherness and to get their children to enjoy family life. And the wonderful thing is that kids are just as sweet back to you when you give that.

How did you juggle family while also growing your furniture business?
We just managed. My wife is very keen on keeping us all focused on being together as a family. She gets us together a lot – the whole family – which is just wonderful because all the grandchildren just love each other, and my children and their spouses all get along. It is something you have to nurture in the young years. When they children were younger and involved in sports, I coached and my wife attended. Or, when my daughter was cheerleading, we were in the stands.

What is your secret to staying married for 48 years?
My father-in-law said when we got married that if you give 100 percent and Alyse [Sprintz’s wife] gives 100 percent, you’ll be married for a very long time. It’s always a give and take. In today’s life, so many kids are in the throw-away society. If they get married and it doesn’t work, they give up and get separated. But if you understand that in a marriage there are ups and downs and its never perfect sailing, but if you give equally, you will get through it.

What is the best Father’s Day gift you’ve ever received?
My favorite gift is everyone having dinner together. One of my kids always has us over for dinner.

Favorite home cooked Father’s Day meal?
Veal scaloppini. The cooks in my family are wonderful.

How did it happen that you vowed to accompany your daughter-in-law on all her doctor’s appointments?
First, when she was told about it, I said, you and I are going to New York to [Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center] to get you a second opinion from the best place in the country. We came back and did everything the doctors there told us to do. I told her that I would be with her for every single scan, every single appointment she has to have, and I have been there. I have kept that promise. If I have a trip, I don’t go on it. She’s a wonderful girl, and I believe she’ll be here a long time. The cancer will never be gone, but it is stabilized. Still going to scans about every three or four months. I don’t miss a one. It’s never been awkward; it’s very comfortable with us. We have a great outlook and attitude toward it.

Of all your community service, which are you most proud of?
My work with the Jewish Federation. It is a wonderful thing because it is for families in need and bringing immigrants over to this country. I’ve given funds from my family, and also furniture. We help them furnish their first place of living.