An Exceptional Life
Chris Schwarck, a lifelong acquaintance, passed away recently at the age of 92. I struggled to find an off-the-shelf description that did justice to his legacy.
He was a mentor. His choices were strategic and thoughtful; he stayed cool under stress and adventurous in the pursuit of opportunity while being mindful of his limitations. Chris demonstrated unwavering integrity and respect. Above all, Chris overachieved by virtue of effort. He brought his absolute best to every endeavor.
He was a friend. When I graduated from high school he insisted I apply for a scholarship offered by an insurance company he represented. Not saying I didn't deserve the $2,000 check. However, I have come to believe Chris's influence carried more weight than my GPA. Despite having literally hundreds of active clients, numerous business and personal relationships, Chris found time to stay connected with me on a regular basis over the years. During my darkest moments, he made an extra effort to support and encourage me.
He was a role model. He showed that achieving financial success does not have to come at the expense of becoming a better person. In his later years, he was especially generous and grateful. His practice of handing out hundred-dollar bills made him a celebrity at his favorite cafe where we regularly met for lunch. From the owner to the newest server, he enjoyed every interaction. He spoke often of our duty to care for God's creation. He backed that up with substantial investments in wildlife habitat and preservation.
He challenged me to see value in cultivating a diverse pool of relationships. As my dedication to building a successful business was obvious, Chris knew the downside of that ambition was to become one dimensional, unrelatable, and self-centered (i.e. dull). At his insistence, I attended political events, met accomplished and fascinating people, discovered my inner sportsmen, and learned the importance of maintaining a network of peers with a shared passion for enjoying life.
At Chris's celebration of life ceremony, his positive influence on the lives of the hundreds’ in attendance was evident. It would not be exaggerating to suggest that over the course of his career, his beneficiaries number in the thousands. In all his roles, husband, father, grandfather, farmer, salesman, leader, life coach, raconteur, nature lover, philanthropist, sage, entrepreneur, horseman, outdoorsmen, racing enthusiast, (I could go on) Chris held himself to a higher standard.
In death, even the least outstanding among us are often eulogized as deserving of sainthood. Occasionally, I'll find amusement pondering the creative reimagining required to describe my life in that context. But this story is about Chris. He was human and made mistakes. At the same time, life is graded on a curve. I've never known someone who not only continued striving to be a better human being up till their last breath but achieved elite status in every category. Chris will forever hold that distinction in my mind.
Jim
