The following excerpts are from letters and
e-mails received when I retired, or in one case at my retirement dinner. The
names of individuals have been removed, but I've included an indication of
their geographic locations and positions. It still gives me a great deal of
pride (and even some embarrassment) to read this several years later. It's occurred
to me that their favorable tone may in part be a backhanded commentary on the generally
poor state of human relations in industrial management. But in any case, this
positive feedback assured me that my choice of technical management early in my
Du Pont career was the right one.
"As a friend, I am happy that you will
be free to pursue a well earned retirement ... But when I dwell on what we will
miss ... your honesty, humor (I usually left your office laughing), knowledge
of technology and the business, I am troubled. I will especially miss your
courage to speak out when you felt Departmental action was wrong. The success
of the Rochester Laboratory and Plant is a reflection of the leadership you
have provided during the past thirteen years. It is something you deserve to be
proud of." (Rochester senior scientist)
"Just to let you know how much I enjoyed
working for and with you. My time in Rochester under your guidance was, I
believe, among my most fruitful years. Your trust, support, encouragement and
suggestions made my career and also my personal life very positive."
(German scientist, formerly at Rochester)
"I think it was Henry David Thoreau who
said 'The reward for a thing well done is to have done it.' ... I have always
liked it because it rings true. It was the first thing that popped into mind as
I sat down to write this. You should feel rewarded. I would like to wish you
and your family the best. Most importantly, I would like to thank you for all
the help and guidance you have given me. We will miss your insight and
experience on the Imaging R&D staff." (Wilmington, research director -
my supervisor)
"The one phrase that always comes back
to me is 'breath of fresh air' and that was something I said to you .. about
you .. just a couple weeks after you arrived in Rochester. A few years have
gone by since that early meeting and we have had numerous happenings that
tended to foul the air during this time. You have always managed to keep the
lab environment healthy, productive and an enjoyable place to work. I said at
my retirement party that I always enjoyed coming to work every day and you
certainly helped me maintain that level of enthusiasm during your tenure."
(Rochester, retired senior scientist)
"I will remember you as a both a role
model and mentor. Your actions show you care for people and take a stand,
popular or not, for what needs to be done. You get the facts and act on them
without political antics. You motivate people to be their best and in doing so
build loyalty. Your style is not to give "go do's" - you set an
example by going and doing. ... Congratulations!" (Parlin, New Jersey,
laboratory director, who began his career at Rochester)
"You are an excellent example of
everything a laboratory director should be. You gave the Rochester research
facility a wholly unique character that will remain in your absence. It was
always obvious that you valued your people over all of the other resources you
have at your disposal. The many people who worked for you never questioned that
they would get a fair shake from you. ... I have missed you since I left your
laboratory and will attempt to apply many of your management principles during
my own career." (Germany, supervisor who began his career at Rochester)
"In a large part it was your presence
and encouragement which helped me to find and develop a successful career path
with Du Pont. It was rare at that time to find a leader who was an enabler and
friend instead of a taskmaster and adversary... . The Rochester laboratory has
always felt more like a family than a work group, and I hope we can maintain
this environment after you're no longer here to support us. ..." (Senior
scientist, who transferred to Rochester while I was lab director)
"You were the best man I ever worked for
my entire life! I will never forget the good times I had during the years I
worked for you." (Parlin, New Jersey, scientist, who worked for me when I
was there in the 1970's)
"I will miss my job ... and my
relationship with you. You have been a great mentor and my #1 friend. ... Enuf
said." (Parlin, New Jersey, supervisor, who was also retiring)
"[The Research Director] confidentially
announced your departure [to his staff]. Damn! Traitor! I'll miss you
badly." (Wilmington staff member)
"I have always admired the spirit at
Rochester and the close cooperation between Manufacturing and R&D. I know
that this spirit was to a large degree your contribution. It resulted in
creativity and products so good that the company could not afford to do without
Rochester. You have practiced OE [organizational effectiveness] and
self-management before the words were invented and you have treated your people
like your colleagues, with respect and appreciation." (Germany, research
supervisor)
"I feel we are losing a valuable
technical resource and a great, compassionate human being. ... I wish you the best
of health. ... It was a pleasure working with and knowing you!" (Parlin,
New Jersey, Manufacturing Division scientist)
"It was a real pleasure to have worked
for you when you were a manager [in New Jersey]. As a new employee on his first
job, I remember how nervous I was, and how comfortable you made me feel. Later,
I appreciated your honesty and fairness. You set an excellent example of what
management should be. ... You are among the very best, and I know there are
many others who feel the same." (Parlin, New Jersey, scientist)
"You know how much I value your kind and
quiet resolve. The way you treat people, as valued individuals to be esteemed,
is a remarkable quality. Among all of those in Du Pont with whom I have had
personal contact and who have responsibility for handling people, you have
developed the best skill. That is truly an art - developing the right 'touch'
is directly related to the way you value yourself. Anyway, that skill will be
sorely missed. Although the individual retires we each always hope that some
memory will stay on. That is a sense of immortality. I can assure you that most
of us will remember those interpersonal skills and the effect they had on each
of us for a very long time. So, you can retire - you can even move away and
never come and see any of us again - but we will not forget your kindnesses and
your compassion. ... So, Bob, good luck in your retirement. I personally wish
you all the best. May you enjoy this time of life in good health and spirits.
Thanks for being around during a time frame when I got to meet and know
you." (Parlin, New Jersey, scientist)
"First, I want to thank you for the wonderful opportunity working with you has been. In reflection, I know I have you to thank for the confidence I feel in my professional future. You believe in people, and that makes it possible for those who work in your organization to succeed beyond their expectations. I appreciate now, more than ever, the lack of barriers I experienced in working in your lab. You got ulcers keeping the barriers out of the way of people in your organization. ... I think we all understand better [now] how much you did to keep things together without interference from around the corner and off the site." (Rochester R&D administrative employee)
"I would describe Bob as a leader. However, he's not just a leader, he's a motivator, he's a mentor, he's
an enabler. Bob's true joy is helping others to succeed. Bob is not only a leader,
he's a friend. As a friend he is not only a trusted confidant but a valued advisor.
I want to thank you, Bob, for giving me a chance to work under you and grow
while working in an organization that's prospered under your leadership." (Rochester
R&D administrative employee, remarks at my retirement dinner.)
To return to my page of talks and memos on
retirement: click here.
To return to my home page: click here.
(Last rev. 6/13/05)