The greatest reward
Our longtime friend, the late Ralph R. Melton, M.D., advised that life has many rewards — political, spiritual, financial, and others, "but the greatest of all rewards is recognition from your peers."
Friday night in a hotel ballroom in Kansas City your Ol' Editor received such recognition.
Secretly, Kansas Press Association officers and membership arranged for your OE's name and photo to be added to the Kansas Newspaper Hall of Fame.
Normally reserved for prior newspaper professionals who had been deceased for five years, rules were changed two years ago to honor both a historical and a contemporary newsman.
Our friend, the late Robert Wellington, who was publisher of the Ottawa Herald was added to the KNHF with his wife Dottie and family present for the presentation. Bob was a great journalist who richly deserved the honor.
We reflected how, over the years, we'd walked down that hallowed hall where the plaques were placed and wondered if ours would join them five years after we'd been gone. We doubted it.
Our son, Eric, attended the convention as he sometimes does. It isn't strange, because he's a journalism professor and part owner of this newspaper.
During the induction ceremony, they called Eric to come to the podium. I was shocked when he began a masterfully-presented 10-minute oration about his old man's professional career.
After 58 years in the newspaper business (56 here in Marion), the OE didn't believe he could be surprised, didn't believe his name would ever be included in the KNHF.
He was justly overwhelmed by the standing ovation when he was recognized by his professional peers.
Also, the OE was bustin' his buttons over the presentation talk. Eric delivered it without notes. Many commented, later, that he certainly is a great speaker and he knew his subject well.
— BILL MEYER
