My grandfather...he directly influenced so many specific aspects of my life.
I was his only female grandchild (I have 5 guy cousins, plus my brother) so I got a little extra doting and attention sometimes.
1. Music - I started studying piano when I was 5 because I wanted to play like he did. He always helped my with my music studies, wrote songs for me, and even gave me his piano a few years ago. The piano is a Steinway parlor grand that he got from his father when he was about 18, so it's really old. He got it all fixed up before he gave it to me, new strings, soundboard, felts, etc. It just sounds sooooo beautiful, lovely resonant tone. I've played other instruments too (oboe, percussion, etc.). A lot of my love for music is directly traceable to him. He's also influenced a lot of my other artistic/creative interests as well, such as drawing, painting, and redoing furniture, etc.
2. German - His grandparents emigrated from Germany in the late 1800s and he grew up in a predominately German area of Pennsylvania. He spoke German fluently and taught me some when I was little. I studied it in high school, and German was one of my majors in undergrad. I also studied as an exchange student one summer. He used to send me little notes and cards up at school all in German.
3. Law - He has made it financially sooooo much easier for me to attend law school. I'm going to a state school (U of Florida) so it's not too $$$, but it's still so great for my stress levels to not worry about taking out loans. I am very very lucky. Granddad has always been so supportive of my educational pursuits, as for all the grandkids too.
He just passed away in February at the age of 91.
I miss him a whole lot. I have a great picture of him in my room - it's black and white and he's playing the piano (the one he gave me). In the picture he's just a little older than I am now.