Each month, iParenting.com spotlights a father who inspires and moves us, who embodies the qualities that we all admire in a person, a man and a father. Above all, the Dad of the Month is dedicated to his children. Rich or poor, famous or not, he shines as an example of what fathering is all about.

Our choice for March is Bob Moog, father of three girls and co-founder of University Games.

On April Fools Day in 1985, Bob Moog co-founded University Games. He began small, investing his savings to start the company. Since then, Moog has grown San Francisco-based University Games into the largest producer of educational games in the country. His daughters, ages 5, 8 and 10, are his secret weapon for continued success.

"Having my own kids makes it easier to relate to the toy industry," Moog says. "The girls help me understand what kids like." His daughters serve as a focus group for University Games, testing new products. "The girls love getting asked their opinions by adults," says Moog. His kids also keep him in touch with popular trends, like Pokemon.

The girls love visiting their dad's office. "We usually have 400 or so products sitting around, and the girls can each choose one item to take home with them," Moog says. His daughters relish their insider access to new games and toys. Moog's 10-year-old daughter, Nina, says, "I can always supply great prizes for school contests and I get to give the best birthday presents!"

Not surprisingly for a toy industry executive, Moog loves to play. He often wakes early for a game of Kids On Stage with his 5-year-old daughter. "Some companies design toys to suck in children," says Moog. "At University Games, we try to find products that parents will like to play with their kids. Nothing is as popular with kids as playing with parents."

Playtime with his girls rates high with Moog. He takes a break from his hectic schedule (247 unanswered e-mails at the time of this interview) to whisk his family away on vacations three to four times a year. "My favorite trip was when my dad took us skiing in Utah," Nina says. Moog loved the ski trip, too. "Nothing compares to seeing your child discover they can do something for the first time. Skiing with my kids was amazing." He also takes his family rock climbing and ice-skating, and they regularly play games together.

Moog keeps close to his daughters by planning special projects to do with them. "Right now I'm trying to find a fun summer camp for one of my daughters," he says. "We're searching the Internet together, ordering video tapes from camps and then watching the tapes." He's also teaching his youngest daughter how to read, enjoying her wonder as letters transform into words.

The special attention Moog gives his daughters pays off, resulting in more than just a good time. The girls turn to him for help, confident that they can trust him. "When I come to my dad with a problem I love how he doesn't tell me what to do," Nina says. "He listens and gives suggestions. We work things out without him telling me the answer."

After graduating from Stanford University, Moog founded University Games as a result of childhood fun with his brother. "My brother was confined to the house most of the time due to a very serious physical condition, Legg Perthes [inflammation of the growing area of the head of the femur]," says Moog. "We invented games and played them together from the time he was 6 until he was 10. I remember it as the best moments of my childhood."

Today, the company Moog founded maintains an award-winning global presence with operations in 28 countries. University Games focuses on products that encourage social interaction while providing fun and education. "Kids have fun while learning when playing one of our games like Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego," says Moog.

The company's National Young Game Inventor's Contest (for kids ages 5-12) was started by Moog, who saw himself in young children, and wanted to make their dreams come alive. "My brother and I loved inventing games with construction paper and playing them with friends," he says. "I thought it would be fun for kids to see the board game they invented become a commercial product."

Each year University Games promotes and markets the winning game from out of 1,000+ contest entries. The contest winner also receives a $10,000 savings bond for college, an expense-paid trip to San Francisco and other prizes.

Moog sometimes works long hours, but when he squeezes in free time, he enjoys watching old movies with his wife of 11 years. His favorite vintage films include The Philadelphia Story and Arsenic and Old Lace. He says the secret to his long-lasting marriage is keeping things fresh. "My wife and I like to take long drives or try something new together," he says.

Moog often cooks for his family, and especially likes preparing his fiery, favorite dish Chili Moogini. "That's not the only recipe I've named after myself," Moog admits. This complex entrepreneur/proud dad obviously doesn't take himself too seriously. "It's important to have fun!"