Don’t Be Afraid to Try New Things, Actions and Adventures

If variety is the spice of life, then that can be a motto for this section. To make life more interesting we need to explore and try new avenues of thought, sports, arts, etc. Most of the time we are absorbed in our daily routine of work, family and church. This is how it should be because we have responsibilities and our families encircle of people depend on us. When I received an invitation to join the Madison Bank the way had been prepared by a series of events that the decision was a no-brainer and not a step of faith or courage. However, while there I introduced a number of banking innovations by having the courage to try something different. I initiated 8am to 6 pm. Banking, serving coffee to customers in the morning, giving commuters a plastic cover to protect their paper railroad ticket, etc. These were just a few of the promotional gimmicks.

In the family it was always fun to go camping although Ruth had never spent a night outdoors, but she also was willing to try something new. (Her parents were very upset, however.) She came through the experience like a true camper! Because she was willing to experience something different we have enjoyed many years camping with the family.

This statement of trying new things may seem incongruous to my 33 year employment with Madison Bank, but in fact, I experienced countless new things during that time. In my long career I had many job changes and was permitted to introduce a number of promotional events and new banking ideas.

Following Ruth’s death and my retirement three years later I was able to embark on new adventures and events when the opportunity came. The first was the Russian experience. This has led to a rich relationship with Vladimir Kalmykov over twenty years. Tutoring algebra in the Chicago public schools is another example. I had never tutored anyone, much less minority, slow performing students. However, I enjoyed the experience and it was rewarding to see the student’s face light up when the student finally understood a math principle. Perhaps the largest step was assuming the Chairmanship of the commissioning of a giant aircraft carrier, the USS Abraham Lincoln. I was within five months of retiring from the bank and was exploring several outreaches. I had several ideas in the consulting area and others in community service. Although I had never been chairman of a program of this magnitude, when the offer was made, I accepted! With the assistance of a number of fine people, we raised a large sum of money and the commissioning of the ship and the program was an outstanding success. But first I had to say “yes.”

Through these and other efforts my life has been exceptionally enriched, provided a service, met a number of wonderful people, some are still my friends, and learned much about a number of different areas of the World.