A few years ago, right here in West Branch a very kind elderly gentlemen came walking into my office with his cowboy hat tilted slightly sideways, and standing about six foot four. He even had to duck a little bit just to get through my door. Once inside, he said “howdy Randy, do you have a guitar I can use for a minute” and I said sure and handed him one that was hanging on my wall. Then, he said ” I wanted to sing an anniversary song to you and your wife’. Well, it wasn’t our anniversary but, just the thought of this man in his 90’s wanting to sing a special song for us was priceless. So, how could I resist?
When he was finished with the song, he just handed me back the guitar and said “I’ll see you later kid” and walked back out the door. I had only been acquainted with this man for a short time, but he was a member of both the Michigan Country Music Hall of Fame and the Michigan Farmers Hall of Fame. His name was Bob Kartes. I never got to meet my own grandpa but I have a picture of him at six foot five, sitting in a rocking chair with his work boots all laced up to his knees and he was playing the fiddle. So for me, you can just imagine all sorts of good thoughts rushing through my mind. This kind man took time out of his busy day to sing me a song. So, Bob, my hat’s off to you sir and your fine family. I’ll continue to be your friend for life.
