Last week proved to be a tough week for goodbyes.  Ron Rowe retired and Billy Crowe passed away. I also had to say goodbye to our family dog, Lily.

Billy Crowe, thirty-year power plant Operator, Maintenance Operator and Chief Operator lost his two-year fight with cancer this week. Billy liked you to think he was just an “Aw, Shucks” country bumpkin, but the people who worked with him in the power plants respected his mechanical knowledge—especially of auxiliary systems. Billy would tease and joke with his funny smile, he worked tirelessly, and he would give you the shirt off his back.

Lily blessed my family for more than 13 years, seeming more as a family member than a pet dog.  She loved to swim and play, and she was smart, funny, gentle and loving.  We made the heart-wrenching emergency room visit in the early morning of July 3, only to learn that a large tumor had been secretly growing in her lungs for months. There was nothing the caring vets could do.

Ron Rowe retired after 38 years working for Wolverine as a Communications Engineer. I could write pages of funny stories about Ron’s escapades over the years, some of which we shared at his retirement luncheon a few days ago.  Ron managed the evolution of five generations of SCADA systems over his career. He is dedicated, loyal, and he has a huge heart behind his gruff and wrinkled exterior curtains.

As our lives and careers tick-tock through the years, I value most the power of relationships.  Lily, Ron and Billy touched so many hearts along their paths. Their legacies share a common thread—they cared for others.