Just a Sensible, Ordinary Man

Just before Christmas, seemingly like everyone else, I was running errands too numerous to count. I remembered I had a phone call I needed to make. So, I pulled over in a subdivision to look up the number. Job completed, I was driving around the block when four kids, all under age 10, I believe, jumped up and down to draw my attention to the โ€œofficeโ€ in their nearby yard. As it was cold, I assumed they were selling hot chocolate. My rule is, if kids are selling something, buy it. (And no one is jumping up and down when they see me unless they are angry or trying to sell me something.)

I had found 2 Cousins Jewelry and four associates. I asked what they were selling. โ€œFriendship bracelets!โ€ the leader told me. She added, โ€œHere is our price list,โ€ and handed me a sheet of notebook paper. Written on it in pencil was a list of inventory that, given the many crossed-out figures, had gone through several rounds of changes. โ€œHow much are the bracelets?โ€ I asked. โ€œItโ€™s right there on the sheet,โ€ she replied, like how could I not know? So, I purchased three bracelets for $2 and handed her a two dollar bill from my wallet. โ€œIs that real money?โ€ she asked. As I assured her it was, the whole group gathered around her, curiously looking at the bill. I was already forgotten as the kids were excited. Iโ€™m not sure who had more fun in this high-level business transaction.


Evansville lost a great man on Jan. 12. Raymond Fredrick Beckwith Jr. wasnโ€™t a doctor, lawyer, or business owner. As a matter of fact, he never graduated from his beloved Reitz Memorial High School, as he discontinued his formal education to go to work. I would argue that Ray made as big of an impact here as anyone I can think of. Instead of trying to remember all the organizations Ray devoted time to, it may be easier to list what he didnโ€™t help with. An amazing man of tremendous warmth and energy, he was described by the priest during his funeral Mass as being the man โ€œwho, if there was ever anyone that lived up to being a true servant leader, it was Ray Beckwith.โ€ We all have people in our lives we always enjoy seeing; Ray was one of mine. He always was at Memorial events taking tickets or manning the concessions stand. He put so much time and effort into everything Memorial that, in 2016, he was honored with the Distinguished Service Award. He continued to serve until 2024, when he was 95. During his eulogy, it was noted that โ€œthe go-to guy for everything is no longer there.โ€

I first met Ray many years ago when a table of โ€œtruth stretchersโ€ โ€” my father was among them, if you can imagine that โ€” moved from the old Wesselmanโ€™s Coffee Shop at Lawndale to the nearby restaurant The Carousel. This group of retired men enjoyed friendship and camaraderie there for many years.

Ray loved and was proud of his Catholic faith and was a terrific family man and husband. His impact on so many people and organizations is immeasurable. I canโ€™t say it any better than how he was eulogized: โ€œRay was a sensible, ordinary man who did extraordinary things.โ€ He lived up to that, and more.

As always, I look forward to hearing from most of you.

Todd A. Tucker, President

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