Remembering Bob Funston

Dear Readers,

Editor of The Observer, Arnold Hamilton, has asked me to pen a few words about my good friend and one-time fellow member of the Oklahoma state Senate, Bob Funston. Bob passed away suddenly July 28 and he will be missed by a myriad of friends and admirers throughout Oklahoma and beyond.

Bob was many things – funny, smart, sincere, compassionate and passionate – all traits important in a public servant. He also was a very hard worker, intense in doing his job to the best of his ability; but also sensitive and kind to the hundreds of folks who worked for and with him as he filled a number of important positions following his service in the Senate.

Even though those times were over 40 years ago, people still remember and admire him. For example, at the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission, colleague and friend Richard Gilbertson tells me Bob replaced a director who had been there for nearly 40 years so the transition could have been bumpy to say the least. It turned out to be just the opposite. Bob streamlined services; shortened waiting times; improved dramatically the financial strength of the agency which then became the fiscal model adopted in many other states.

The senator was also responsible for a multitude of programs specifically designed for Oklahoma's veterans, and he was not bashful about using his contacts in the Legislature to insure this state's concern for and care given to them was among the best in our nation.

It's no accident that Oklahoma has eight state run veterans centers, the most in the United States, and Bob took a personal interest in each of the residents. Also, he made sure veterans looking for employment were a top priority at OESC. Bob recognized and was sensitive to difficulties that often arise after men and women leave the service, and he was determined to smooth the transition from wearing the uniform of this country to full and meaningful employment going forward.

If only that were true everywhere.

Much later, Sen. Funston and I both ended up working at the University of Oklahoma – he as director of the Center for Public Management, a division that trained thousands of state employees, most of whom worked within the Department of Human Services. My job was less sexy in providing support services to his large organization, but it gave me the chance to reacquaint with him.

I learned even more about his diversity of interests, one being as an internationally-recognized and admired “birder” who traveled the world to simply have the opportunity, or not, to observe first-hand the beauty, uniqueness and behavior of one or many of his favorite living species. His tales of travel in Africa, several Asian countries and especially remote areas of South America were vivid, intriguing and sometimes a bit scary as he maneuvered through jungles, deserts, mountains and plains searching for one more type of bird he had never observed first-hand previously.

Bob's life was filled with adventure and challenges, some of his own making; others simply caused by fate. For example, in 1978, he gave up his safe Senate seat to run for governor and received enough votes to force future Gov. George Nigh into a runoff with then-Attorney General Larry Derryberry. I remember their hard-fought battle well because it was my first year to run for a seat in the Oklahoma Legislature. Nigh prevailed and then edged out in November former OU running back and state Rep. Ron Shotts 51% to 47%.

Bob's life was filled with interesting people, diversified challenges and often demanding activities, which he approached with glee, determination and grit. I liked him especially for his heart and concern for others; his curiosity about both simple and complex situations he encountered; but most of all, for the example he set as a gentleman, always courteous to a fault, as though being such a man could have a fault.

Rest well now, good and faithful friend and mentor. I shall miss you as do so many other of your friends, neighbors and family.

You have served all of us well.