ROBERT E.L. LAMKIN WAS A GENTLEMAN OF THE OLD SCHOOL

In a part of America that too often seems rapidly passing away, the downtown shopping districts of most small towns were dominated by a handful of merchants, representing local ownership and known and respected for their service, their character and the quality of their goods. Cape Girardeau is fortunate to have a continuing tradition of strong local ownership today. It was into that world, and that tradition, that Robert E. Lee Lamkin Jr. was born here in 1909, a member of a widely respected family of haberdashers. Throughout his life Bob Lamkin embodied the best of the virtues that characterized the successful retailer.

Yesterday, in the church where Bob Lamkin was a lifelong member and former deacon, his minister eulogized him as "a gentle man and a gentleman." That gets it just right. Bob Lamkin was first, last and always a true gentleman of the old school.

Not for him the cutthroat, win-at-any-cost business methods of some of today's unscrupulous competitors. Service, quality and integrity were the hallmarks of a successful operation, as indeed, they remain so today, for the successful small retailer. But always, and above all, integrity, because Bob Lamkin and other small retailers of his breed were here today and here tomorrow, facing their customers at church and the PTA, over the meat counter at a neighborhood grocer and at Little League games. He was a soft touch for any effort at civic betterment, and could often be found leading it, because this was his community, as it is ours.

With Bob Lamkin, there was always the warm and friendly smile, the quick greeting and time for a brief chat and a query after some family member. He knew his customers, and their families, and he was interested in them because he cared about them as individuals.

The memory of Bob Lamkin will forever be a pleasant one for the friends and family who loved him. His family rightly takes tremendous pride in his life. We shall miss him.