Ross Childs: Hockey Mentor

This week I pay homage to one of my best mentors, role models, and friends: K. Ross Childs, who passed away a year ago at 84. Ross played goalie at the University of Michigan, almost won the award for lowest goals-against as a junior – then moved to forward as a senior because that’s what the team needed. He became Grand Traverse County’s administrator, and was awarded Michigan Civil Servant of the Year, with a rare ability to work with both sides of the aisle. Along the way, he ran the Ann Arbor Amateur Hockey Association for more than a decade -- where he also served as my first coach, leaving a lasting impression. When he stepped down, he received three or four standing ovations. He then started the Traverse City high school hockey program. He and wife Helen also raised three children: Mary, born paraplegic; Susan, who was hit by a car as a toddler, and not expected to survive, but did and now has a teenager of her own; and Scott, my best friend, killed in a car accident at 15. As my old U-M professor Ralph Williams said: “Happiness is not a state into which one falls; it is a choice of the will, and always against odds.” Ross’s greatest triumph, in my view, was the willpower to find happiness in life despite the incredible tragedies he had to endure. And I believe he knew he had to, if he was going to be of service to others. And you simply cannot find another man who served others so well. For info about the book or this podcast please visit our website: http://www.letthemleadbybacon.com http://www.johnubacon.com You can connect with John via these platforms: https://www.facebook.com/johnubacon https://twitter.com/Johnubacon

Episode 29 of the Let Them Lead podcast, hosted by John U Bacon, titled "Ross Childs: Hockey Mentor" was published on November 20, 2023 and runs 12 minutes.

November 20, 2023 ·12m · Let Them Lead

Summary

This week I pay homage to one of my best mentors, role models, and friends: K. Ross Childs, who passed away a year ago at 84. Ross played goalie at the University of Michigan, almost won the award for lowest goals-against as a junior – then moved to forward as a senior because that’s what the team needed. He became Grand Traverse County’s administrator, and was awarded Michigan Civil Servant of the Year, with a rare ability to work with both sides of the aisle. Along the way, he ran the Ann Arbor Amateur Hockey Association for more than a decade -- where he also served as my first coach, leaving a lasting impression. When he stepped down, he received three or four standing ovations. He then started the Traverse City high school hockey program. He and wife Helen also raised three children: Mary, born paraplegic; Susan, who was hit by a car as a toddler, and not expected to survive, but did and now has a teenager of her own; and Scott, my best friend, killed in a car accident at 15. As my old U-M professor Ralph Williams said: “Happiness is not a state into which one falls; it is a choice of the will, and always against odds.” Ross’s greatest triumph, in my view, was the willpower to find happiness in life despite the incredible tragedies he had to endure. And I believe he knew he had to, if he was going to be of service to others. And you simply cannot find another man who served others so well. For info about the book or this podcast please visit our website: http://www.letthemleadbybacon.com http://www.johnubacon.com You can connect with John via these platforms: https://www.facebook.com/johnubacon https://twitter.com/Johnubacon

Episode Description