Last Frontier spirit is Newcomb’s legacy

While in the food line at Harold Newcomb’s celebration of life service Saturday, my friend John Cannon of Mat-Su Services for Children and Adults told me that Mr. Newcomb was his hero and a role model for his service to others.

My eyes were still wet from listening to young Teresa Kennedy’s affection for Harold and her flawless recital of Harold’s favorite poem, “The Cremation of Sam McGee” by Robert Service. It was stunning.

John and I continued reminiscing, and he noted how the Valley’s early settlers needed to be utility, Jacks and Jills of all trades. We remarked at the amazing diversity of Harold’s service to the Valley and Alaska.

John laughed and shared that he’d recently been painting parking lines at his agency. We talked about sharing a beer after at a German pub on the Palmer-Wasilla Highway.

Then, I slipped into reflection mode about Harold as I got to know him through his daughter, Robin. As a friend of Robin’s family, I had the distinct pleasure of being invited many times to holiday parties at her house, and at Harold and wife Pat’s years ago. Harold and Pat were the consummate hosts with welcoming and warm receptions offered to all every time.

Harold would quickly have a small half-circle of young ones sitting on the floor in front of him as his eyes squinted, smiling and telling stories.

Harold was inquisitive about others’ lives, too. I’ve been back stage at the “Tonight Show” with Johnny Carson many times and watched him interact and engage others. Johnny always put people at ease and it was never about him.

Harold had this quality, and so does Robin.

As the years marched on, the holiday parties continued. I observed carefully, watching Robin’s intensity of support for Harold increase over time. She would take a phone call, hear a need expressed, rally away from whatever she was doing with her two kids and garner the support needed to respond — even if that meant jetting away from the house and leaving meals or activities in progress. She had the support of her siblings, too.

Robin seemed to always demonstrate a positive attitude about driving Harold to Anchorage for medical support. The routine seemed to include picking him up at the Pioneers Home, helping him with mobility, breaking down his wheelchair and stowing it, being sure he was comfortable and safely strapped in, then doing the round-trip drive to Anchorage many times a week for years.

One may remark, “Well, any daughter would do that for a parent.” My experience is that isn’t the case. Noteworthy, though, is how Robin responded to Harold’s needs.

I imagine Robin’s attitude had as much of a significant impact on Harold’s quality of life as did his medical support. I always observed Robin serving her dad pleasantly with love and a smile. She may deny that it was difficult at times, but I’m guessing it was. Robin kept her chin up.

A saying on the back of Harold’s celebration of life program best reflects the positive, can-do attitude that Harold passed on to Robin:

“It’s easy enough to be pleasant.

“When life goes along like a song.

“But a man worthwhile,

“Is a man with a smile,

“When everything goes dead wrong.”

I joined some friends for a beer at Schwabenof’s. Cannon didn’t make it. When driving home toward Palmer on the Palmer-Wasilla Highway, I looked down and to my right at the MSSCA parking lot and, sure enough, there was CEO John Cannon in baseball cap and jeans, bent over and low to the ground, spray-painting yellow parking lines on a Sunday. Harold would be proud.

Harold’s legacy of modeling the Last Frontier can-do spirit is strong and lives on through generations of great Alaskans in Teresa, Robin and John.

God bless and thank God for Harold Newcomb.

Paul Maguire is a Palmer resident and former professor at the University of Alaska Anchorage. He is the facilitator of the Center for Creating Peaceful Neighborhoods, and advocates for eliminating bullying and fully including all people in community.