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Such footprints giants make
Kootenay Crust
By Ian Cobb
When giants leave us, their footprints are clear to behold and leave us in awe.
Sadly, we are once again bearing witness to such a thing in the wake of the premature departure of Colin J Campbell.
A philanthropic philosopher and mentor to all, Colin embodied what it is that makes humans an admirable species.
He was a button-popping proud Rotarian and member of the Cranbrook Sunrise Rotary Club. He spent the better part of four plus decades giving back to his community.
And he seemed to be everywhere.
The media thing takes one out and about on a regular basis and I always seemed to see Colin at community events – usually volunteering. And always with a smile on his face and a twinkle in the eye.
I am proud to say that Colin was a long-time member of e-KNOW’s ‘writers’ village.’ Right back to the start of our endeavour, he was a part of it.
When I asked him to submit pieces, I had in mind he’d pen financial advice, ala his independent wealth management firm Guidance Planning Strategies.
Of the dozens of columns Colin submitted – NONE of them were about financial strategies, really. While there may have been a kernel or two, his pieces were always about being wise and grounded – being well read and hearing as opposed to listening.
Colin was the quintessential mentor persona and I would bet it safe to say there are many dozens of souls out there in the world who would agree and have stories of their own to share.
A celebration of Colin’s life will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 16 at the Colombo Hall in Cranbrook. The family asks for donations in lieu of flowers to be made to the Rotary International Foundation. See any Rotarian to make your donation.
Colin’s giant footsteps are not the only ones our community has lost in recent weeks.
The great Bud Abbott opted for the hereafter at age 98 on Jan. 30, leaving a bittersweet silence.
And before Bud left us, Beatrice Maxine Caldwell passed away on Jan. 18.
I did not know Maxine but after attending her celebration of Life on Feb. 9, it was beyond obvious that she was a giant, equal in footprints left to any man of her generation – including her late great husband Bud Caldwell.
Maxine packed an enormous amount of life into her first 71 years – paving the way and kicking open doors for local women in business, and flat out just being one fun and funny, loving and welcoming person . Her last 12 years were spent under the cruel yoke of dementia.
Having watched my father wither away from Alzheimer’s and now my own mother with dementia, I see it as a blessing when someone afflicted so passes away.
The Feb. 9 celebration of life also gave me a clearer view of our amazing friend Janis – Maxine’s youngest child. We all contain elements and traits of our parents and what I saw and heard from those speaking at the memorial gave me a clearer insight as to why you are you, Janis – drinking beverages upside down and all!
It grieves me that I never had a chance to meet such a giant but as a student of history, it was uplifting to learn so much about such an important and influential person – also a philanthropist and mentor.
We still have giants among us – many of them. Please take a moment to cherish the giants you know and join me in a toast and a salute to Colin Campbell and Maxine Caldwell.
I’d like to give the last few words to Kootenay East MLA Tom Shypitka who recently honoured Maxine, Colin and Bud (all Rotarians I should note) in the Victoria Legislature.
https://www.facebook.com/tomshypitka/videos/425602394852916/?v=425602394852916
Nicely said Tom. Thanks for saying it.
– Ian Cobb is owner/editor of e-KNOW
