Charles Bachelor

There are times it seems we just are at either a loss of words or can't seem to find the right words to say. This has been my predicament in trying to write a memorial for my friend Charles Bachelor. Charlie was more than a friend. He was an employer, mentor, and the father to two of my best friends.

Donnie, the youngest, had contracted polio when he was five. He passed away this past year. For over fifty years, Charlie worked the farm, milked cows and helped take care of Donnie. He and his wife also made sure their older son didn't feel neglected. If John had ever felt left out, I never knew it. He never complained and he also assisted in the care of Donnie.

I had worked for Charlie off and on for 25 years. Many of my favorite times were when I was milking cows. Charlie was fairly easy to work for most of the time. The only time he could be difficult was during the haying season.
That is when he was affected with "hay on the brain." Getting the hay baled and in the barn was a top priority. Nothing else mattered, food, rest or sleep, or lack thereof, would deter us from the harvesting of the hay.

How do you measure a man's success? I measure Charlie's by the raising of two fine sons. Donnie lived not only well beyond his life expectancy, but he lived well. John became a special-ed teacher and helped others with special needs as he had helped Donnie. He was also a success by the many lives he touched including mine. I am so thankful that the Lord blessed me with a friend like Charles Bachelor.

Dennis Rodgers

Nancy Rodgers