SUPERHERO— noun
- a hero, especially in children's comic books, television cartoons, and movies, possessing extraordinary, often magical powers.
- R D Hubbard
Dee's not feeling well and I thought some words might pick his spirits up.
I met my Superhero in the mid 70's when a family friend from Wichita collected a group of his friends to create a bloodstock investment company. I was transitioning from training to bloodstock management and investment, and they gave me the chance to play at the major leagues. Dee was one of the partners.
He had been active in the Quarter horse business, but this was his first Thoroughbred participation. Together we were introduced to the stallion share business (a Danzig when he first retired was our first share), the Keeneland bloodstock sales (Veruschka, dam of The Very One was our first November $100,000-plus purchase), the select yearling sales, and the great international events, including Royal Ascot and the Arc.
Although he was a great partner to share the learning with, it was in the rest of his life, as a teacher to me, where his Superhero status was earned.
It is unlikely that any of us know a better example of working hard and playing hard than Dee. But that doesn't tell the story.
Observing Dee at close range you learned about success and how to go about achieving it.
He has the best instincts for understanding a deal. Although he likes to project an Everyman image, this was not by gut. When presenting, you had to be prepared as he always asked the best questions and wanted all the important facts. The learning about what he considered important was invaluable.
He is always the most observant person in the room and has amazing attention to detail. Learning what he was thinking about was invaluable.
His memory and recall are also legendary, and that includes after a few scotches back in the day (him not me, I championed vodka then). You had to always think about your words, as often they might be quoted, recalled, or challenged years later. An invaluable teaching.
He is kind and caring. Walking the line at his float glass plant in Kingsport on a Friday afternoon, he spoke to all employees by name, dozens of people. The greetings were often accompanied by a question about a loved one. Those lessons were invaluable.
The kind and caring was not just for his employees, but also for his customers. They too enjoyed doing business and socializing with Dee and Joan Dale. Also an invaluable lesson.
He is fun. He isn't just fun, he is the most fun. That same Friday we went to the local watering hole to join many of the employees for a Coors after work. All were eager to engage with Dee. Fun is important, but while being fun he never takes his eye off the ball. Both lessons are invaluable.
My education with Dee followed his movements from Wichita, to Kingsport, Ft. Worth, Smith Center, Newport Beach, Hollywood Park, Ruidoso, and his masterpiece, Big Horn. Along the way, I received not just his Master Class but introductions to talented staff, interesting friends, special experiences like dinner at the White House and my first corporate board meeting. Everywhere he went, people wanted to share time with him. An invaluable lesson.
I would be remiss if I didn't mention the line through Dee brought me Sonny Mayor, then Johnny Jones, Jr., and of course Bat Masterson.
Dee supported me, not just showing up, but always giving guidance, not just in my bloodstock career, but Matchmaker Sales, ACRS, many family events. His counsel is always available for the problems, too.
It's amazing how many times I would be stuck in a difficult situation and wonder, 'How would Dee solve this?'
This just seemed like a great time to say thanks to Dee and Joan Dale (his invaluable partner).
Not everyone can actually speak to their Superhero. I'm lucky.
To send your own positive message to Dee click here and I'll pass it along.
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