This is what Outstanding Dads look like

In honor of Father’s Day (June 20), we recently asked San Diego County residents to nominate men who are outstanding dads and to tell us why they feel that way. The only requirement was that the dads be local residents and have at least one child from newborn to age 17. This month we’re highlighting seven fathers—six nominated by their wives and one by a family friend. Here is what they had to say.

Jose Montiel, Escondido Dad to Mateo (3) and Alyssa (5)

Jose is an amazing father! He works full-time, is a fulltime student at CSU San Marcos, serves on the PTA at our daughter’s school and is a volunteer youth sports coach. Jose was in his last semester at Mira Costa College when the pandemic hit in spring 2020. We were working from home with two children and he still managed to graduate with his associate’s degree, with high honors. Jose is a hands-on father and always the first to volunteer at school, help the youth basketball and soccer teams that need coaches, and support our neighbors. He is an incredible man who strives to be the best for his family and friends. – Jessica Montiel (wife)

Chris Holman, San Marcos Dad to Bella (6) and Bradley (8)

Chris has always been an active member of the community and volunteers to coach our kids’ sports teams. During COVID, when sports were put on hold, we were discussing with other families how much our kids missed playing baseball. Chris decided to get our son and a small group of boys together to practice on a weekly basis. As word spread about their regular baseball practices and restrictions were lifted, it turned into Chris coaching an entire team (even with his busy career). When San Marcos finally announced that baseball could resume, he advocated to keep this group of boys together and created a travel team just for them. The amount of time and effort he has dedicated—and the impact he’s had on this group of kids—is incomparable. – Lauren Holman (wife)

Nick Diede, Encinitas Dad to Holden (8) and Avett (4)

My husband Nick had to close his business last year because of COVID. He owned an indoor soccer facility in San Marcos, where he trained young athletes in a positive environment. If you ask anyone who knows him, they will rave about his kindness, sense of humor, and ability to help youth on and off the field. He took some time to recover from the devastating loss of his business and then started a new business called New Day Soccer Training— teaching soccer to local athletes of all ages. He is the most incredible dad and an amazing role model for our sweet boys. – Lynnie Diede (wife) Yee and his dad, Dr. Da Fei Feng, who passed away in October

Yee Feng, Rancho Peñasquitos Dad to Ellie (10) and Jediah (12)

I am nominating long-time family friend, Yee Feng. My husband’s mother and Yee’s mother have been friends for over four decades—the boys grew up together. Yee is outstanding because he led quarantine singalongs for 100 days in a row (and in two different cities), he uprooted his family to care for his widowed mother, he is a role model to his children, and is devoted to his wife Carolyn. He also works full time, does photography (Feng Images), and is an amateur (but avid) bike racer who traversed nearly 12,000 miles last year.

During the pandemic, Yee’s family took their voices and instruments outdoors to lead an impromptu neighborhood singalong, which attracted the support of many community members, who started joining them each evening at dusk. They sang a different song each day to bring smiles and cheer to neighbors, then posted the music on social media to delight a wider viewing audience.

In the middle of quarantine (after living in Seattle for many years), Yee and Carolyn shared the conviction to move their family back to Rancho Peñasquitos (where Yee was born and raised) because Yee’s father was going through treatment for late-stage cancer. They uprooted their two kids so that Yee could take care of his mother who needed emotional and health care support. Yee’s father, Dr. Da Fei Feng, a UCSD chemistry professor and devoted father, passed away in October. The whole family and hundreds of church friends grieved the passing of this quiet and noble grandfather through a Zoom memorial service, where Yee once again led everyone in song and celebration for his beloved father. – Jenny Ho (family friend)

Ryan Fulton, Clairemont Dad to Jamison (6), Presley (3) and Jocelyn (10 mos.)

Ryan and his family own Dan Diego’s Pub in Bay Park. When COVID hit, he used the pub’s deliveries of food, milk, toilet paper, and other necessities that were sold out in stores to deliver them to community members. He dropped items at doorsteps for people unable to leave their houses. Ryan kept his staff as busy as possible and tried to keep everything running smoothly during all the county ups and downs. Day in and day out, he has spent the last year serving his restaurant community with whatever they need and going above and beyond for our neighborhood, all while taking the helm of our son’s kindergarten virtual learning. He is our outstanding dad! - Julia Fulton (wife)

Adrian Ruble Rancho Peñasquitos Dad to Charlie (6) and Cecilia (2)

Although my husband is currently deployed, he is an incredible dad. Without being physically present, he ensures that both kids feel loved by reading stories to them, leaving video messages and writing emails when communication is limited. Going above and beyond comes naturally and we are grateful that he is able to serve our country while still being present in their lives. The kids look forward to being reunited with Daddy and describe their dream “homecoming day” daily. We are definitely blessed. – Mariska Ruble (wife)

Photo credit: Lisa Rhea Photography

Jason Hsu, Oceanside Dad to Emerson (5), Griffyn (3), and 5-month-old twins Dempsey and Monroe

Finding out you are having twins in the middle of a pandemic seems like more surprise than anyone could handle, but not my husband Jason. He cleaned up lots of “morning sickness”, loved on two little girls who were missing every aspect of normal, and fulfilled his responsibilities at work while growing his own company. He does all of this while making everyone he interacts with feel seen and safe. – Kelyn Hsu (wife)

20 • SanDiegofamily.com • June 2021