CEO BLOG – February 20, 2015 Acushnet, Massachusetts
I met Dick Young only three times. Dick left us earlier this month at the age of 98.
The last time I saw Dick was in late November, he “popped-in” to drop off a donation of suits and bow-ties. We had just moved from our location in New Bedford to the original Titleist golf ball factory, Ball Plant 1. Dick asked me to show him around to see, since his last visit a year ago, what kind of progress we had made with our retro-fit. Dick had worked in this building for over forty years and was genuinely interested in what our plan was for retro-fitting the factory.
He was fascinated by the idea that here we were, converting the factory he had built to make better golf balls into a factory to help make better children. I loved him instantly for “getting it”.
During his visit the previous year he gave me his only remaining hard-copy of A History of the Acushnet Company that he had written in 1991. We digitized it and returned it to him. I remember fondly his calling to thank me and share his amazement at what a terrific gift it was, as now he could share it through email.
Our first meeting was in 2009 and it came at a most fortuitous time. We had just spent 10 months with a crew of inmates from the local prison, rehabbing an old textile mill in New Bedford, to open a domestic non-profit, NGO called GiftsToGive, intent on connecting local children to giving and service. Dick visited that first time with Bill Blasdale, a trustee of the Acushnet Foundation that Dick founded in 1951. They made a major gift to us then and they have continued to support us. It was fortuitous back then, because we were strangers in a strange land and the Acushnet Foundation, a sterling local philanthropic group had given us their stamp of approval.
What I’ll always remember and always be grateful for, was that a week after his first visit we received a hand written note from Dick and a substantial personal check. In his note Dick reminded me of and acknowledged that nothing worthwhile came easy and that even more hard work and focus would be needed. He also pointed out that he thought I had way underestimated what it was going to cost to complete the rehab of the building and to cash his check and get to work. Sweet, simple, and to the point. (Turns out he was exactly right!)
At 65 years old, most of my contemporary heroes have passed. This month another hero leaves me, but remains in my mind and heart as a bright and shining light. A most perfect example of humility, perseverance, dignity, personal responsibility and most of all; as the most understated philanthropist and obvious leader I was fortunate to cross orbits with, however slightly.
I am struck by what Nelson Mandela said that “What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived. It is what difference we have made to the lives of others that will determine the significance of the life we lead.”
Dick Young was in fact significant and made a difference in the lives of countless people. He was truly a giant.
Jim Stevens
CEO and Founder, GiftsToGive
Titleist Drive Acushnet, Massachusetts