RuthAnnHarnisch.com

The Battle of Obituaries

by Ruth Ann Harnisch on 01/28/10 at 12:02 pm

Day 28

My former colleagues at the late, lamented Nashville Banner  have written beautifully about our recently deceased colleague Bob Battle. 

Here’s his official obituary .

Here’s what Beverly Keel  wrote.

Here’s what Tim Ghianni  wrote.

Here’s what Susan Leathers  wrote.

And here’s what I have to say:  Bob Battle was nice to me. 

When I was 23 years old, just starting my career in journalism, there was nobody in Middle Tennessee who was kinder.  Bob was very encouraging, warm, and friendly. He got me involved in his charity work with the Shriners Hospitals , and gave me a genuine education in service to others.  He told me it was my obligation as a public personage to be of service, and he wanted me to help his cause.

Before I met Bob, I only knew of  “Shriners ” from the jokes people told about what hard-partying people they were.  Others might know more about that than I do – the only Shrine activities I ever saw through Bob involved helping kids who had been burned or crippled.

When I heard of his passing, my first thoughts were not about the career that spanned over half a century.   My remembrance was simple:

He was nice to me.  And he helped people.

This is an important lesson during this sabbatical year.  Accomplishments may be important, but in the end, we are remembered for the way we treat others.