I met him on his first interview with me. I had already hired for the one position I wanted to fill but there was something about Bob that I needed to explore further. During the second interview, I understood what it was about him. It was his loyalty. He spoke of his previous employer, Sonny, with high regard and no resentment. Upon the offer of employment, Bob told me that he would give my company a “try” to make sure it was a fit he liked! So, all loyal and ballsy, he started working for The Grand Handyman.
Bob was the oldest on the staff but physically the strongest and maybe the most stamina. He never complained to me about working hard and our customers liked him very much. He taught us trades he excelled at and learned a lot on the job too. I think the learning was something he enjoyed. Bob helped me build and bond a staff of eventually 9 and I told him he was the “heart” of our team. Mutual respect, admiration and teamwork was important to him and he knew it was critical to our company goals.
I can’t remember how long he was with me, I think 3 or 4 years, until Bob became ill. His last day was Monday, July 7th, 2007. The economy was beginning its unraveling and I had made a decision that weekend to let go of Bob’s last counterpart because he was becoming a huge burden and untrustworthy to the organization. I figured there was barely enough work for Bob and I, but we’d hunker down and weather the storm ahead. See, Bob understood the reality of recession cycles and he knew making entitlement demands on me would benefit no one (yeah, Benedict, that’s a dig). But this day, Bob wasn't looking too good and his belly was bloated. He was unable to keep anything down for many days and he had not gone to see a doctor although he had been losing weight for some time (did I mention he sometimes was one stubborn SOB too!). He worked that day but came to me around 2 pm talking of going home. Knowing his stubborn qualities he was not going to go to the doctor. I used the “do it for your grandchildren” routine (no credit here…this man adored his grandchildren. In fact, he returned that morning, straight to work, from one of his many “get in the truck and drive south of the Mason-Dixie to see his grandkids for the weekend trips” ). That worked but I knew he was worried.
In the year and a half of his illness he visited the office, met me at jobsites and we spoke. He always mentioned getting back to work. The last call we spoke of the progress and the hopefully final treatment that was to rid him of the cancer. Of late, we missed several phone calls and began to text. His last text was that he was going home last Saturday. Today, Caller ID told me it was Bob but it was his wife, Margaret, on the phone. I wish I had one last conversation with Bob…or another chance to swing the hammer with him.
Bob McDermott loved his Facebook but I never engaged him on it. So, I wrote him my first and last message to him before:
Bob, Shoulda, woulda, coulda done this a long time ago (getting on Facebook with you) but never did. Now I'm sending a message to say farewell. I knew you for over 4, maybe 5, years and I will miss our conversations. You began as my employee but that did not last long as you became my friend soon after. During life's unhappy experiences and mistakes, you listened and taught me patience and how to forgive myself. We had many deep conversations and I always felt we were cut from the same cloth but a generation apart. And that made it easy to talk to you with vulnerabilities aside.
You made us laugh with your English butchering, smile with your grandchildren stories and comfortable with your youthful exuberance (when you weren't a crabass).
I pray that you're comfortable, talking a little theology or philosophy with Him, and you have a Grey Goose in your hand.
Thank you for being there so many times for me.
Your Friend,
Bob
p.s. You’re right, your lady does look like Ann Margret! :)
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