Sam Harbin had big impact on this town

Sam Harbin was a giant of a man in all ways possible. The term "larger than life" fit him like a glove. Harbin passed away this week at his home in Springfield.

It's hard, if not impossible, to explain how important Sam Harbin was in the history of our small community.

But it would not be a stretch to say he had a greater impact than any man of his time.

Sam was a big man with a big heart and a lifetime of service here that was clearly unmatched by others.

Sam Harbin was my teacher, my principal and later my school superintendent. He guided the school system here for a number of years and gained the respect and admiration of all who came in contact with him.

He left the school system briefly to serve in banking. And he served on the Sikeston City Council.

Then when most men would be eyeing retirement, Sam took over the challenge of revitalizing the Sikeston Area Chamber of Commerce as executive director. And as would be expected with his leadership, the Chamber began to flourish once more.

Sam was also a visionary. His doctoral thesis - yes, he was Dr. Sam Harbin - was on the positive impact of a community college on small communities like Sikeston.

I'm sure he had a twinkle in his eyes when later Sikeston became home to not one, but two college campuses.

Most everyone has a Sam Harbin story. And most involve his keen sense of humor and his infectious laugh. When Sam laughed, the world laughed with him. You just couldn't help yourself.

Sam had roots in Puxico as did my family. Somehow that provided me with a special bond. Or at least it did in my mind.

I learned from Sam Harbin when he taught and I learned when I worked beside him at the Chamber. But I learned more from watching the great man solve problems and how he involved others in moving forward.

Everyone was "pal" to Sam. Maybe he used that term because he forgot a name. Or maybe, just maybe, it was because you were his "pal." I'd like to think that's the reason.

When Sam moved to Springfield a few years ago, I would get an annual email from him. He always commented on some item in a column I had written and still retained that golden sense of humor that was his trademark.

For those of you who never knew Sam, you missed a treat. Quick with a smile and quick to lend a hand, he was a great friend and the driving ingredient behind our community for years and years.

Sam appropriately was Sikeston's Man of the Year and received the Lifetime Achievement Award. But those plaques on the wall fall far short of recognizing the importance he was to our community.

Our community will miss you, pal. And so will I.