I received the obituary of a friend and mentor from my early banking career this week. My brother Jeff knew Durward as well and he remains on our list of memorable people in our lives. The obituary tells the story of D.L. or Dude or as I called him out of earned respect, Mr. Fry. He was an Idahoan through and through, he loved to spend time in the mountains and was an expert fisherman. Dorothy was the love of his life and they were together for 62 years. Durward was a fiercely loyal person, I felt it was in his nature but perhaps influenced by his military upbringing and service. Durward was a Captain in the US Air Force, following in his father’s footstep, a man he called the Colonel. A fighter pilot and a top instructor in flying the F86 fighter and the T33 trainer. He returned to civilian life and joined his father in the automobile business. They sold the business and DL joined Idaho Bank and Trust as the head of Consumer and Dealer lending. A young banker could not have asked for a better mentor or role model.
In the old days of banking, you invested some of your early lending career in collections. On my first collection, we found the car in front of the home and Durward sent me to the door to get the keys while he led the tow truck down the alley, I knocked on the door and a woman answered and told me the cars owner was gone to get money to bring her loan current. As I walked down the stairs to explain the situation, the woman ran out the back door, jumped in her car and drove away. I was tempted to jump in front of the car to stop her, but imagine my embarrassment. Durward was amused and remained calm, he reminded me I still needed to repossess the car. I drove by that home for weeks looking for the car, one day it was there. I was so clever, I let the air out of one of the tires, to slow her escape. I then knocked on the door which opened briefly and I was hit in the chest with the car keys and a few choice words. Now all I needed was a tow truck. Mr. Fry was probably still laughing on his final day on this planet. I would never have let Durward down and he gave me the same respect.
We both worked for a man named Gene Heil, the three of us formed a lasting relationship based on mutual appreciation. Gene was responsible for much of my early training and opportunity at the bank. Gene took time to get to know his direct reports and he figured out my strengths quickly. He called me each morning and asked the same question, “what is the most difficult thing you have to deal with today?” He followed the question with a statement, “when you have that done” give me call. Some of us avoid conflict and procrastinate around difficult issues. With a great mentor you can overcome those propensities. One day I told Gene that one of our team members was irreplaceable, he said, “have you pulled your hand out of a bucket of water, the hole is quickly filled”, no one is irreplaceable.
When Durward retired, I moved to Boise, and Gene left the bank, we had a get together for a few drinks and to reminisce. Durward told us the story about his military service and a tradition to seal the bond with your comrades. Durward had a beautiful wooden box for each of us with the inscription inside, Comrades forever, we then each signed three two dollar bills and vowed to keep the faith as we put our bill in its place.
I had kept in limited touch with Durward, Christmas cards and a few phone calls over many years. I wish I had taken the time to stay in better touch and remind my friend of the difference he made in my life. I tell you this story, to remind myself not to procrastinate around staying in touch with my comrades.
Enjoy the week end. Mike