At first meeting, I referred to Dave as a handyman. Dave harrumphed, and quickly corrected me. He was not a handyman; he was a workin’ man. Dave saw handyman as a diminutive sort of label, sufficient for those who fix things that go bust in suburban houses, but insufficient for himself.
Dave is much more than that.
Dave is a Workin’ Man.
Dave Rowen builds restaurants, houses, decks, driveways and more – no job too big - no job too small - commercial or residential. He never wonders what he’ll do next; he’s too busy fulfilling projects already on line.
Most of his work is as a commercial contractor. Nevertheless, he makes time to mow my lawn, fix my water heater, dismantle fallen trees, and resurface my deck – all of which I’m too old, or too poorly informed, to manage for myself.
He does similar work for many other people as much in need of his skills & energy as myself. He gets paid of course, but if money was his main motivator, he’d stick to only commercial work.
The truth is, under a brusque exterior, he’s a nice guy; something of a throwback to an earlier time in America, when doing what needs doing, mattered more than making as much money as possible.
His energy is phenomenal. I often have to rest after watching him work.
Yesterday, he resurfaced my deck, mowed the lawn, and then told me he had to go to a wedding in Columbus, so he’s be back Monday to trim the hedges – all this before noon.
Dave looks strong. He’s actually stronger than he looks.
The modern culture has persuaded us that really strong guys look like body-builders.
It’s false. Body-builders cultivate biceps and pecks. They don’t trouble themselves all that much about actually getting stronger.
Long years of hard work produces a thickness of arms, legs, and torso that contradicts the body-builder caricature.
Every one of my farmer-uncles who worked the land had that same sort of solid build.
Several years ago, Dave replaced my second-floor commode. After detaching the old bowl, He picked it up, carried it to the door, then down the stairs, and about a hundred feet out to the tree-lawn. He carried the new commode with him on his way back. He made no comment about any of this. I’m not sure he even broke a sweat.
In addition to strength & energy, Dave is also chock full of useful information. The very sort of information I managed to avoid for most of my life.
Dave knows all about the ends and outs of electrical wiring, plumbing, HVAC, roofing, and tree surgery. Basic stuff, though not to me.
Perhaps the most interesting characteristic of Dave Rowen is not his skills or knowledge, but his reliability. When he says he’ll show up, he does. If he can’t, he’ll tell you that too, and also when he can reschedule. When he says he’ll take care of your problem, he does.
Many friends have told me this sort of reliability is becoming increasingly rare.
Dave is also reliably honest. I long ago stopped asking him for receipts on expenses. If he tells me he had to spend X-amount of dollars to get the job done. I don’t question it. Receipts are not required.
A few weeks ago, Dave told me he’s planning to retire this Fall, or maybe this Winter.
Devastating news! Now what? I tried to talk him out of retirement to no avail. Dave’s thinking of getting a small trailer to house himself and his lady as they tour the land looking for adventure. Ah well, well deserved. Humph, I guess . . .
But what about Moi?
I’m not sure Dave will be able to survive retirement. He has as a kinetic personality and a inner need to work. Also, he will no longer be, Workin’ man Dave. He’ll be just another retiree.
I think he’ll be back.
I can hope.
Dave Rowen – Workin’ Man