Good News Friday!

Gary Stebick (left) and his good friend Griggs

Last Friday marked the end of an era at Imagine!. My esteemed colleague, and more important, my good friend Gary Stebick retired from Imagine! after 31 years of service. Last year, I wrote about Gary and how we met at the beginning of our careers at Imagine!, and how we both assumed we would be moving on from the organization after working for here a few months, maybe a year at the most. Three decades later, one of us is finally actually leaving.

A recent edition of Imagine!’s employee newsletter featured an article with fond remembrances of Gary from some of his co-workers. I thought I’d share that article with my blog readers today. The stories are fun, but they only touch the tip of the iceberg in revealing how important Gary was to this organization and the people we serve. He was one of a kind and will be greatly missed. On behalf of all of us at Imagine!, I’d like to that Gary for all he did for Imagine!, and to wish him the very best in the future.

Anyway, before I get too emotional, below is the newsletter article. I encourage anyone else reading this with fond memories of Gary to share them in the comments section.

Many people have been positively affected by Gary over the years. His kindness, work ethic, and integrity have touched employees, consumers, families, and community members. We asked just a few of those people to share some of their memories of Gary:  

Years ago, Gary set up a fake surveillance camera in the Dixon kitchen with a sign, “I'm watching you”. He pointed it at the sink and dishwasher area, and it panned back and forth. You’d be amazed at how many people washed their own dishes or loaded the dishwasher while that fake camera was up! 

After working with a family of an individual who has passed away, I was asked if I knew anyone who would be able to officiate the remembrance ceremony. I had immediately thought of Gary. The individual who had passed was a very shy and introverted person, but every time he saw Gary, he would brighten up and immediately ask to shake Gary’s hand and would initiate the contact. I always thought that this was a testament to the person that Gary is and I knew Gary would do an amazing job officiating. When I approached Gary, he was humbled at the request and he made a promise to do the person justice. I never had any doubts that Gary would do an amazing job and he was wonderful. The individual’s family was very happy and it meant a lot to the people who knew the individual. 

When Gary would like to talk with someone in the office, he very quietly and respectfully walks up behind them at their desk. Usually, that person is emailing or looking generally busy, so he stands there quietly because he doesn’t want to bug them... but then ends up scaring the dickens out of the person when they actually turn around! This happened to Jerry Gooding more times than I can count! 

The first time I met Gary was at an Imagine! softball game. The whole time, I was wondering how can this guy be so dang nice?! Our team was overthrowing balls and striking out. I was so confused! How could he be so cool about a 15-ZIP score?! I had only ever known coaches who would yell, get mad, and tell you everything you were doing wrong. After observing that season, where we didn’t win one single game, I discovered that I had become a better coach in other areas of my life. I became a better coach from watching Gary’s compassion for everyone. He truly did teach me how to believe in the potential of all. 

He came to almost every single ‘Potentials’ softball game, even when he wasn’t on the team! Also, he called us “chuckleheads” during that one game this year. That was pretty hysterical. 

Gary’s #1 focus has always been clients and families. He gives so much thought, time, attention and respect to each interaction. Not only when he was working direct service, but also when he moved into his PR job. He represents Imagine! in the community in a way that makes Imagine! very accessible to community members. When Gary is talking, it very easy to support Imagine!. Even when he is in a position to correct or inform people, he doesn’t judge, he compassionately educates people. Each time he goes to an organization to present on behalf of Imagine!, he takes the time to learn about that organization and learn what they do. He sincerely acknowledges them. This type of thoughtfulness is in even the small things he does. Over the years, community members have taken the time to write articles for Imagine!. Gary keeps notes on every person who writes for Imagine!, so he can go back and thank them afterwards. He lets the person know when, where, and how their articles were presented. He makes it personal for them. He makes supporting Imagine! personal. 

Gary is consciously considerate of all the people around him. That can take the form of sending a special note to wish them a happy work anniversary or sharing his secret stash of chocolate, forks, and Advil! 

The first time I got a birthday card from Gary, I was so pumped! Gary is just so cool, so that must mean that I’m cool too if he’s giving me a birthday card! When I read it, I noticed that he had written his thoughtful and inspiring message on a Post-It note and stuck it on the inside. I thought that perhaps he had written the message earlier and then ran out to grab a card. Several months later, I began to notice that this was a theme when Gary gave cards to others. I had seen two or three other cards, with thoughtful Post-Its stuck on the inside. Then it dawned on me! He not only remembered these special occasions, took the time to get cards, and wrote thoughtful notes... He also used a Post-It so the card would stay clean and the person could reuse it for someone else! His kindness ripples out to people he has never even met! 

When Gary was preparing to give a presentation to an outside organization about my department, he took the time to come and talk with all of us. He easily could have asked for typed bios in an email, but Gary took the time to get to know us and understand what we do. When he presented about our department, he wasn’t just reading it from a piece of paper, he truly knew and I’m sure the audience could feel that authenticity, too. 

Recently, there was a month or two stretch when every time I would walk into the office kitchen, there would be Gary with his hand in the trashcan! I’m guessing he was just properly sorting the recycling and compost that others had mixed up. But there was a chunk of time when it seemed he was always rooting around in the trashcan!