READ MORE ...

On April 22nd, we lost a leadership giant in our community.

 

Paul Messinger was a significant person in the history of Scottsdale and Arizona. He was the poster child for so many of us who pictured him as one of the “Dudley-Do-Rights” in this world.

 

Much has been said and written about his countless accomplishments over his 95-year life. Nothing has been reported on what Paul taught us. That’s a whole different story that needs to be shared.

 

As one of his longtime friends and compadre, let me share some observations on what Paul taught us and why he was so instrumental in some many lives and good deeds within our community.

 

Paul taught us to be optimistic and grateful. He was the proverbial “Energizer Bunny” working 7 days a week in his 90’s and still thrilled to bring meaning, purpose, and enjoyment to his relationships and projects.

 

Paul taught us to treat everyone as an important human being. As an old school kind of guy, he mailed personal notes to thank people or congratulate them. If it was a mass-produced piece, like a holiday greeting card, there was always a hand-written note in the margin personalizing it.

 

Paul taught us to exceed expectations. The State of Arizona has a formula about “set asides” or “escrow” accounts to ensure the perpetual care of cemeteries. Paul believed that level of mandated funding was insufficient. As a result, he set aside larger amounts to guarantee his cemeteries would always set a better example.

Paul taught us to do things right the first time. When Paul was a little boy, he had chores to do on the family’s dairy farm before breakfast and leaving for school. If he didn’t do it right, his father gave him more work to do. Paul didn’t make that mistake twice.

 

Paul taught us humility. He didn’t need to take credit for his good deeds. Looking around Arizona, there are lots of people, organizations, and projects that benefited from Paul’s generosity and leadership. As a man of faith, he believed in repairing the world. He also believed in the ancient Athenian Oath of leaving your community better than how you first received it.

 

Paul taught us about the importance of teamwork. The same way he and his early neighbors shared workers and equipment to get the job done on their dairy farms, Paul brought that keen sense of cooperation, helpfulness, and mutual satisfaction to the mortuary business and everything else he touched.

 

Paul taught us to think long term. Most of us concentrate on day-to-day functions and tasks just trying to get by. Not Paul. He was always working on ideas with lofty long-range ramifications spanning 50 to 100 years.

Paul taught us about the significance of first impressions. I once asked him how often he mowed the grass at the funeral home on Indian School Road. He politely and diplomatically reminded me he didn’t know when someone would need his services. When they walked up the sidewalk, they didn’t want to see overgrown Bermuda grass going to seed.

 

Paul taught us to always be on top of things. For years, Paul lived in a house on the cemetery grounds. That way, he was on-site and available 24-7. When it came time to move, he relocated to an apartment across the street with a clear window view across 92nd Street to overlook his cemetery.

 

Even if you never met Paul Messinger, his fingerprints are all over Scottsdale and Arizona. We were fortunate to have Paul doing the things he did, leaving a positive legacy, and now giving us an opportunity to step up and make a difference in the years to come.

 

I miss my buddy. I think about him every day. His life lessons are indelibly etched into my heart and soul. Hopefully, they are concepts others will choose to embrace.