Keel, I tell a story about Mr. Roberts. I was a young insurance agent working in the First American Building. Like most men there we got a haircut in the shop on the first floor. There were 2 sides to the shop. After my cut one day I walked to the other side and there in the first chair was this very impressive gentleman...getting a manicure. A manicure; fairly unusual back in the day. I was told it was indeed Ken Roberts. I said from that day forward if the ultra masculine Ken Roberts can get a manicure any guy should feel ok getting one.
Ken Roberts was a kind gentleman. I remember meeting him when I was very young and my parents hosted him for breakfast when he was running for the US Senate. He pulled out my chair for me as we sat down to eat. That he would do that for me made quite the impression.
Decades later, Frank, Jayne Ann, Larry Woods and I sat on the row right in front of him for several seasons of Vanderbilt Men’s Basketball. I tried to dress neutral and be quiet when my Tennessee VOLs came to play. Once I slipped and encourage Tennessee. Roberts asked me to repeat myself and I said I could not help it, I had grown up in Oneida and had supported the VOLs since I was a child. He asked me who my people were and I told him my parents name. He said he really admired my dad when he served in the state legislature, (as a Republican). Then he pointed to Larry and asked what I was doing with him. Lol. We shared a lot of laughter and tall tales at the ball games. I tried to stay quiet when the VOLs were in the house but never managed.
Being in his presence was one of the more memorable experiences of my life. Ken was the quintessential Nashville business leader while still being engaged in positively impacting societal needs.
His appreciation for the shift to more transparent community decision-making processes was well ahead of many of his peers.
Thank you, Keel, for helping that and so many other experiences come my way!
Very interesting. I arrived in Nashville in 1983 and had no idea about the Wataugans. I knew most of the men mentioned had significant individual influence but didn't realize they also had quiet collective clout.
Keel, I tell a story about Mr. Roberts. I was a young insurance agent working in the First American Building. Like most men there we got a haircut in the shop on the first floor. There were 2 sides to the shop. After my cut one day I walked to the other side and there in the first chair was this very impressive gentleman...getting a manicure. A manicure; fairly unusual back in the day. I was told it was indeed Ken Roberts. I said from that day forward if the ultra masculine Ken Roberts can get a manicure any guy should feel ok getting one.
Thanks for this piece about Ken Roberts. Important to write these things down so that people will remember
Ken Roberts was a kind gentleman. I remember meeting him when I was very young and my parents hosted him for breakfast when he was running for the US Senate. He pulled out my chair for me as we sat down to eat. That he would do that for me made quite the impression.
Decades later, Frank, Jayne Ann, Larry Woods and I sat on the row right in front of him for several seasons of Vanderbilt Men’s Basketball. I tried to dress neutral and be quiet when my Tennessee VOLs came to play. Once I slipped and encourage Tennessee. Roberts asked me to repeat myself and I said I could not help it, I had grown up in Oneida and had supported the VOLs since I was a child. He asked me who my people were and I told him my parents name. He said he really admired my dad when he served in the state legislature, (as a Republican). Then he pointed to Larry and asked what I was doing with him. Lol. We shared a lot of laughter and tall tales at the ball games. I tried to stay quiet when the VOLs were in the house but never managed.
Well done, we'll deserved and thanks for sharing Bruce's piece.
Being in his presence was one of the more memorable experiences of my life. Ken was the quintessential Nashville business leader while still being engaged in positively impacting societal needs.
His appreciation for the shift to more transparent community decision-making processes was well ahead of many of his peers.
Thank you, Keel, for helping that and so many other experiences come my way!
Very interesting. I arrived in Nashville in 1983 and had no idea about the Wataugans. I knew most of the men mentioned had significant individual influence but didn't realize they also had quiet collective clout.
He will be missed in Nashville and throughout the state.