A “Great Man”… Remembered
BY DEB KRIEG For the Telegram
How could someone of such small stature cast such a large shadow?
Scott Craker has asked himself that question a hundred times over the years about a man who once
worked down the hall.
On Thursday afternoon, as he sat in his office at Campbell Lumber struggling to come to terms with what to say and how to put it all into the right words of just what and how he felt about his former boss who was more like family and a father to him than an employer of over 40 plus years, Craker got noticeably choked-up.
As he fought back tears and spoke of the company’s president, Rod Campbell, who had died on the first of February, just days before his 93rd birthday, it was obvious it was all suddenly making sense to him as he reflected on a long relationship and life of a sensible man who lived it well.
Craker had been a student of a great mentor since the age of 17 and now knew the answer to that question - how could someone of such small stature cast such a large shadow?
Because Rod could.
And did.
By Rod's mere words and presence and example, guidance and grasp of business, his hard-knock education and sharing of life experiences, he taught Craker and so many others the value of above all else - hard work.
It was the true measure of this man who had a hand in building many a dream and project - while making a real difference in the lives of many right here in his hometown of Superior, a city he passionately loved and promoted and championed at every single opportunity he could.
“He did a lot for a lot of people. And, he always made sure people were taken care of. But I have to be honest. He was liked but he was also FEARED, big time,” Craker recalled.
“Oh God, he was a tiger, a real bulldog, a fighter. And, all I know for certain is that I would not be sitting here today if it were not for him…”
For when Craker faced his own adversity, had half of his lung removed and the most numbing, life altering news one can get, it was Rod who stood in his living room bigger than life itself, hammering his fist, telling Scotty he was not going to die and to get back to work.
The bottom line, the story here is – Rod was there when he was here and needed… and not just that day or for just Craker but he was there for so many others, for the business, every single day of his life, making a difference, taking a real interest in everything around him. And that is his legacy, what Rod will be remembered for.
As for work, anyone who knew Rod Campbell knew what M&M meant and it wasn’t candy. Work - it might as well have been his middle name for it was what drove him to the front doors of the business on Tower Avenue built in 1915 with the motto Do It Best every day until the very last stroke of life.
The funeral for this prominent, third-generation businessman will be Saturday morning at Concordia Lutheran Church.
A luncheon - Rod's way and at his request - will follow the service at the Elks. It's there that impactful stories and toasts and tales will reignite and span every sector of life in Superior, membership, organization, board, building and cause.
For no one will ever really know how many things Rod did quietly without ever wanting any recognition.
Strong-willed and strong in faith, this decorated WWII hero who was awarded two Purple Hearts and a bronze star after being hit not once but twice within just a few hellish hours on the frontline was a medic, an aid man.
And, aid, he did, serving as a board of director on a wide range of civic and fraternal, service and charitable organizations, boards, committees and commissions which represented an immense cross section of everything from higher education and service to the arts, sciences, sports, entertainment and our country's military and its veterans.
“He was a listener, who was full of questions," Craker noted.
Craker said he will never forget the door of his office closing a couple of weeks ago - when Rod stepped inside and asked him a question that he had been waiting a lifetime to answer.
“Scotty, do you think I was a good man?” Rod asked.
Craker paused, took a deep breath and said, “No…I don’t think so.”
Craker remembered looking into his friend’s face as Rod, caught off-guard by the bluntness, stumbled back a bit.
He paused for a moment and looked Rod right in the eyes and said:
“I think you are a great man.”
Rod responded “Do you feel you had to say that…
And, Craker said “No…I always wanted to tell you....”
The Measure of a Man
Not – How did he die? But how did he live
Not – what did he gain? What did he give?
These are the things that measure the worth
Of a man as a man, regardless of birth
