Requiem for Harvey

My good friend the Rev. Harvey Stower died today, Sept.29, at the age of 65.

I want to tell you why he mattered, and what he meant to many of us.

Harvey was a State Legislator for eight years, and ran for Congress in 1994. I had met him two years prior, as a I began working for a local radio station where he lived. Harvey introduced himself to me at a political function, and had the kind of hand that seemed well suited for shaking. It was solid, sinewy and honest - not unlike Harvey himself. He immediately took me under his wing, introducing me to every local politico, regardless of party or affiliation.

Rep. Stower not only brought me quickly "into the circle," he made me part of his circle.

Over the years, Harvey and I became quite close. He eventually moved back to Amery, Wisconsin, and became the Mayor, serving for over a decade.

But Harvey was more than just a "politician," he was the kind of guy that you just had to know. He was a minister, a father, a husband, a volunteer, a fan of all kinds of music, books and movies. He was so well-rounded and full of life that even when his life was upside down, he would ask how YOU were, or your family, career or a mutual friend. But it was Harvey we all worried about: His wife, Marilyn, had died last year after a long battle with cancer, and within a few months, one of his daughters developed cancer so quickly it was shocking. Then Harvey's diabetes caught up with him, leading to months of hospital and nursing home stays, eventually leading to partial amputations.

His hands stayed sinewy but strong. His manners, concerns and attention were always for the Common Good. He was a dyed-in-the wool Democrat, but very conservative on some principles for his region, but true to his religious convictions all the way, and yet a borderline Yellow Dog as well. But Harvey was a true Progressive in the great Bob LaFollette tradition, and cited his ideology often. Yet photos of Martin Luther King, Jr. and the Kennedy's were always prominent in his home and office.

I would always look forward to his calls, as he would invite me over "for coffee." We shared a taste in strong java, mine a little whiter with milk, but stronger than necessary.

"You know, there's no such thing as bad coffee," he said once, stoically. "But I sure like the good stuff!"

He would occasionally ask me to stop at the coffee shop or the market and get a bag of Starbucks or other quality beans - almost salivating when I pulled up to his door.

Then we would talk. As I perused his amazing collection of records, books and films, he would always have a few set aside for me to borrow. They were usually old VHS copies of rare films not likely in any other store. I would always have too much to view, but I always made sure I returned the "borrows." I knew he had more plans for them with other friends.

And what "other friends" he had! Several times while sitting in his living room, he would receive calls from Madison or DC. I was there when the Assembly Majority leader called and asked Harvey about the so-called "TABOR" bill (Nicknamed for the "Taxpayers Bill of Rights.")

I laughed when he asked me - while he was chatting with the Leader - what I thought.

I was proud to tell him I had just interviewed the opposing party's main proponent - Rep. Jeff Wood - a few nights prior at a Republican Party gathering.

I told him I thought Rep. Wood was "clueless" on the impact, and that it "was a good idea wrapped up in bad numbers."

Harvey and the Madison lawmaker listened closely as I told of our very public conversation at the party gathering, how Wood had no idea of the real impact to local government would be, without indexing for inflation or local growth. That the cost of pavement alone would eat up any savings and start to put municipalities, counties and other units way behind in road maintenance. I said Wood seemed to be acutely uncomfortable and out of place at the event.

"I think he just liked saying he was for it," I told Harvey.

"So there you have it," He told our Madison friend. "It sounds like we've got some room to work."

The final version of TABOR was watered down but luckily has some adjustments for inflation. However, local road maintenance is an even more expensive problem.

(Rep. Jeff Wood was ultimately kicked out of the Republican Party, and ran as an Independent. He won re-election, but has since fallen deep into a pit of DUI's drug use and disrespect in Madison. His fall is cited here.)

But Harvey was also the kind of guy who hated to talk about himself. This past winter, I went to his home for coffee, and told him I wanted to write "about HIM - About Harvey" after the Fates had dumped on his life so hard.

He smiled, and gave me a sort of timeline letter of those events: Marilyn's cancer and death, his daughter's zooming cancer and numerous operations. His own health issues and amputation.

But then he held up photos of his kids and grandchild.

"These keep me going," he said without a stutter or details.

I had gone too far. That was all he needed: Faith, family and friends.

"Now tell me what you think about the Supreme Court race," he asked without missing a beat. "I'm really worried about what they're going to do to Shirley (Chief Justice Abrahamson). "

Not long after, The Chief Justice held a fundraiser at a local restaurant, and even though it was closed for the season, they opened up just for the event. I'm not sure if it was Harvey who pulled the strings, but it might have been.

That's when I took this picture of him, with the Chief.

I felt bad in recent weeks, though. As I'd heard form a mutual friend that "Harvey mentioned your name. He said he wants to talk to you about something." I was at a function, and couldn't call at the time. Days turned to weeks, and I forgot to call.

Giant, huge regret here.

He was my biggest advocate, even lobbying a local news organization to hire me, in spite of hard economic times. My hiring was snipped by the final bean counter, and for the first time ever, I saw Harvey upset when he heard about the change of heart.

"They just made a huge mistake!" he said. "I'll keep trying."

He did keep trying, for years after that. He was like a parent or a grandparent. A mentor and Godfather all rolled up into a man who was more than just the Mayor, he was the best thing to ever happen to Amery, Wisconsin. The canvassing and advocacy he did for that city will be felt for ages to come.

Harvey played his cards well, and made sure you played yours, also.

Years ago, Harvey was the first person who ever encouraged ME to run for office. I took him to heart, and ran for County Board.

He even made a healthy donation to my campaign, and I had no idea what to do with it. "Gotta get the word out," he said. "Shake some hands. And Listen."

I lost by 14 votes.

Didn't shake enough hands.

He was right, as usual.

Thanks, Harvey. For letting me in and shaking mine that first time, 17 years ago.