By Arvid Huisman

 

While attending business meetings in northern Illinois a number of years ago, I took advantage of a two-hour break to shop at a large farm store a few miles down the road. Though I haven’t worked on a farm for more than 50 years I still enjoy browsing in farm stores.

 

I was about to wrap up my visit when I heard a gruff voice ask, “How tall are you?” 

 

I turned to see an older gentleman seated on a motorized shopping cart. The root of his curiosity was apparent — he was nearly as large as I am. 

 

“Six-seven,” I replied. 

 

“You’ve got me beat; I used to stand six-five,” the man replied before asking, “How much do you weigh?” I bristled at that question but was obviously dealing with a guy who packed a few pounds himself.

 

I told him my weight and he told me I had him beat there, too. Before I could respond, he asked my shirt and coat sizes. He chuckled as he bragged he wore larger sizes than I do.

 

He told me he was one of 14 children and second to smallest of the eight boys. He stuck out his hand and introduced himself. His name was Bert and he was a Dutchman — “100 percent Hollander,” he proclaimed proudly. He told me he was 83-years-old and in good shape except for his blankety-blank legs. 

 

It was about 10:50 a.m. and I didn’t have to leave until 11:40 or so. It wouldn’t hurt to spend a few minutes with this fellow, I thought.

 

Bert described his upbringing in a strict Dutch farm family in northern Illinois and the rebellion which dominated his early adult years. He confessed to having lived a hard life — a life his parents didn’t approve of — for many years. He quickly added, “But I never forgot what my father told me about being honest and putting in a full day’s work.” 

 

He said he eventually abandoned the vices his parents had abhorred.

 

Before he retired, he said, he had owned and operated a bridge construction company, having learned the trade while serving Uncle Sam during World War II. He described several incidents where he had had run-ins with unscrupulous competitors and politicians. “But I never lowered myself to their standards,” he added emphatically. 

 

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