During your career, you'll often meet up with someone who is larger than life. Bob Herdman was one of those folks. He had already moved on to corporate when I came to work, but every supervisor was being compared to him because every one in the mill believed they had a personal relationship with Bob.
Bob could remember names and information about families (a trait I wish I had). He met my family at a company picnic when my youngest was a baby (one of three). Five years later, when he met them again, he remembered their names and ages - And of course, had a few kind things to say. In two meetings, lasting no more that 5 minutes, over a five year period, Bob became a personal family friend.
Bob always had a calming voice. One story I heard (don't know if it is true) was that a disgruntled (and confused) employee marched in to his office one day and pulled a gun. Bob calmly stood up, explained why the employee was going to put the gun away and not hurt anybody - and that is exactly what happened. I have no reason to doubt the story because I believe Bob had that kind of influence.
Bob passed away last week and a memorial service to remember his life will be on Friday. I suspect a lot of folks have been remembering Bob Herdman stories this week. Don Worthington with the Rock Hill Herald has a very good article on Bob in the March 24, 2011 edition.
Bob could remember names and information about families (a trait I wish I had). He met my family at a company picnic when my youngest was a baby (one of three). Five years later, when he met them again, he remembered their names and ages - And of course, had a few kind things to say. In two meetings, lasting no more that 5 minutes, over a five year period, Bob became a personal family friend.
Bob always had a calming voice. One story I heard (don't know if it is true) was that a disgruntled (and confused) employee marched in to his office one day and pulled a gun. Bob calmly stood up, explained why the employee was going to put the gun away and not hurt anybody - and that is exactly what happened. I have no reason to doubt the story because I believe Bob had that kind of influence.
Bob passed away last week and a memorial service to remember his life will be on Friday. I suspect a lot of folks have been remembering Bob Herdman stories this week. Don Worthington with the Rock Hill Herald has a very good article on Bob in the March 24, 2011 edition.
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