As a nation are we losing our ability of working hard, saving for the future, and still being thankful for what we have?  The examples set for us by those belonging to the “greatest generation” seem to be considered old fashioned or like an old soldier having just faded away. 

We all have memories of our best teacher, favorite grandparent and best friend.  But those people aren’t the only ones making us who we are today. Think back about all of the others who helped shape your life as it is today.

Louie Gartner gave me my first haircut.  Today at 93 he still cuts a little hair, goes dancing, loves to fish, and cares about other people.

As a child growing up, you would think I learned about collecting coins, how to grade them and trade them from my dad who worked at the bank.  Not so. Louie, the barber, took his time to teach me everything I know about coins. He would also take his time to show the kids in town just how to catch that big catfish - that is, when he wasn’t busy as also being the town’s mayor. Louie got started in his business with a fifty dollar loan from the bank and the optimism to make his dream come true.

Tom Baker operated the Texaco service station, Vaughn Peterson had the Co-Op station, Paul Eichhorn had Sinclair and Butch Fentress had DX.  All of them also operated auto repair shops.  Why these men ever tolerated me being underfoot while they worked, I will never know.  I learned they worked hard, had a wealth of knowledge beyond belief, and all could have fun while teaching a kid about auto mechanics.

Ralph Helms along with his son Ray operated a small Kansas oil field production company.  Hard dirty work is the only way to describe the two summers I spent on those oil leases.  Ray lived across the street from my parents so I would ride to work with him.  In the front seat going to work and back in the bed of the truck going home.  Ray liked a clean truck. I promised myself I would leave that job with something the other workers didn’t have - all ten fingers. 

So just what does any of this have to do with Main Street Money?  The oil field taught me that you work until the job is done no matter how much time it takes.  R&R Drilling was owned by two men who invested everything they had in their dream.  Hard work, a little luck and more hard work while enjoying life equaled success. Just think of what could be accomplished following those same principles today.

I learned that Tom Baker will not work on a Ford on Monday, “bad way to start a good week”. Butch and Paul were saints to teach a young kid how to fix a 1937 hotrod Ford.  All of them taught me how to best treat the public while having a smile, even if it meant getting an old lady’s car unstuck from the walls of her garage. 

Vaughn taught me that some people live way beyond their means and either they could not or would not pay bills for work that he had done in the garage.  Rather than get angry about it he told me “they know they owe the bill and I’m not in the bill collecting business”.  Over the hundreds of hours I spent with him I found him setting the example of working hard and saving your money so you can do all the things you want to do when you get older. 

On our trail through this life we will pass many people on our way up that path and then younger people will pass us as we get older.  Are we setting the example for those younger that hard work, a good attitude, and helping others is the best way to live or are we just spending everything we have, struggling in debt and waiting angrily for someone to give us our next stimulus check?  Will those younger people have a smile on their faces as they remember us when they get older and be thankful for having known us?

Somehow I think Louie has the keys for the lock that opens the door to the good life.

Kansas Liberty columnist Bill Wyckoff is president of Labette Bank, a community bank with locations throughout Southeast Kansas. He lives on a farm outside Altamont, Kansas. A graduate of Kansas State University with an MBA from Southern Illinois University, he enjoys collecting antique John Deere tractors and driving his hemi orange Dodge Challenger. Email bwyckoff@labettebank.com

The week in Review