Bob's Legacy
I know this isn't a topic I usually write about, but it's one that hit home when my friend and college teammate passed away two weeks ago. Bob McCurdy, 68, lost his hard-fought battle with cancer on July 29. Bob was a lifelong friend even though our career paths seemed to keep us from spending a lot of time together. I was able to spend some time with him last fall, though, and it was as if we were just leaving one of our workouts together. For two years, Bob and I spent countless hours in the gym, and I know that his drive and commitment fed mine and helped me establish lasting habits.
In the sports world, Bob's claim to fame was that he led the nation in scoring in the 1974-75 season. In the pre-3 point shot era, he managed to average a remarkable 32.9 points a game. He was drafted by the Milwaukee Bucks but injuries ended his professional career before he even started.
It was then that Bob became a mentor of impact -- but he didn't know it yet. He did what many of us do when our athletic career ends; he took the habits that made him successful as a player and repurposed them to his career in radio sales. He found experts in the areas he needed to learn more about and studied everything they taught him. He worked relentlessly -- the same as he did in the gym. He climbed the ladder to eventually become President of KATZ Marketing Solutions by outworking, out-reading, out-thinking, and out-researching others on his way to that C Suite. But he didn't just live there and enjoy the fruits of his work.
He literally left the C Suite each day and mentored young people in the business, giving up four or more hours of each day to that mentoring. He was a master at simplifying his messaging while also making sure everyone understood that it takes a true commitment to pull it off. Bob was a true leader in that he cared about those he led and he was a living example of the words he spoke -- every day. When you have that combination of characteristics, the result is that you will impact people's lives. And Bob did that. He made an impact on many, many lives. And what he taught those who were lucky enough to work with him directly was also passed down to others his students later mentored.
The lessons here? If you are young, listen to and watch those who came before you. And when you have someone as successful as Bob who is willing to share and teach, hang on to them and be the best listener and observer you can be. Lesson 2? It's not rocket science as to why some people succeed and others don't. Commit to working as long as you have to to get to where you want to go. Commit to being a life long learner. Commit to helping others on your journey. These were just some of the lessons Bob taught.
His eyes may have closed one last time when he passed, but he opened so many other eyes to the possibilities of living their dreams.
Some people leave a job at the end. Few, like Bob, leave a legacy. Thank you, Bob, for what you've given so many of us. Rest in peace, my friend.