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Article
Owen On The Road
By Dr. Owen Phelps
September 12, 2003
Unusual title, remarkable author -- add this book to your
list.
IT'S TOO BAD ... this book wasn't available when
The Observer
recently offered a special focus on good things to read.
But perfect timing is a promise fulfilled in eternity. For now
all we can do is make the most of second chances. And I want
to make the most of this one. Because it's probably the only
time in my life that I will write about a book with the unlikely
title of You May Not Like It, But You're a Lot Like
Me: The Journey of a Common Man.
THIS SLIM VOLUME ... offers readers some observations,
reflections and darn fine stories from the most uncommon "common
man" I have had the providential good fortune to ever know.
And to know him is to love him.
Chuck Sauber.
So why, you are wondering, should you care a lick for this perfect
stranger?
Let me offer a couple of clues. Chuck Sauber is 83. This year
he will celebrate his 63rd wedding anniversary with dear Lorraine.
They have been fruitful years. The couple was blessed with 16
children and, at the book's last count, they had 47 grandchildren
and 27 great-grandchildren.
And you thought you had a full house?
When they celebrated their 80th birthdays and 60th wedding anniversary
all together a few years back, they had to rent the student
union at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb to contain the
crew. Okay, friends were invited too. And the Saubers have a
lot of friends.
CHUCK IS A MAN OF CONTRASTS ... who lives in the farm
house in which he was born in tiny Virgil (pop. 266) -- but
who founded a multi-million dollar company there that today
has more than 100 employees and makes equipment for companies
all across the U.S. and Canada.
He has been awarded over 49 patents (he's not counting any more)
-- but he thinks it's much more remarkable that after all these
years he still hasn't been able to discover where a single thought
comes from.
He says he was barely able to get out of high school (Marmion,
class of a long, long time ago). But he understands more about
life -- and genuine happiness -- than whole college faculties
comprehend.
A self-starter and a hard worker who has never had time to waste,
he nevertheless starts the day with Mass. And the twinkle in
his eye says he's always looking for a little fun to share with
friends.
WHEN IT COMES TO WEALTH ... Chuck observes in his book
that "there are no U-hauls attached to a hearse."
When it comes to issues of self-esteem, Chuck offers this measuring
stick: "A person's genuine worth is found in the quality of
the service they can render to their fellow man or to their
family or to whomever they owe service."
At this stage in life does he still have goals?
You bet.
As he puts it ever so delicately in his text: "My goal before
I kick the bucket and the Lord calls me home is to continue
to be of service to others and spread the knowledge and confidence
that God loves us no matter who we are or what we have done."
IF YOU LIKE PLAIN SPOKEN ... everyday people who just
make a lot of sense most every time they open their mouth, you'll
love Chuck's book as much as those who know him love Chuck himself.
Quick story: I once took him to be interviewed by the "morning
personality" on a radio talk show. The interviewer was amazed
that Chuck didn't look anywhere near his age.
"When you're fat you don't wrinkle," Chuck said to him on the
air.
And another friendship began.
HIS BOOK IS HARD TO DESCRIBE ... because while it offers
some fond memories for people who grew up more than a few decades
ago in Kane County -- or on a farm anywhere -- it is not a collection
of reminisces. No, Chuck is always grounded in the Present.
And he's always looking to the future.
For a guy who's older than income taxes, he has an incredibly
contemporary sense about him. Perhaps a measure of how unusual
his book is can be found on the first page, in its dedication:
"This book is dedicated to GOD ... without Him nothing in this
book would have happened." He's right about that, of course.
And about a whole lot of other stuff too.
So if you like a good read that mines a century and harvests
a host of timeless jewels, get a copy of this little book with
an unlikely title by a common man with uncommon good humor and
wisdom.
If you'd like a copy, it's available in many area bookstores
for $14.95 plus $2 shipping.
CHUCK LIKES TO QUOTE ... Will Rogers, who said, "God
must have loved the common man -- he made so many of us."
I, for one, am glad God made this one. And I'm thrilled that
he has finally written a book.
Enjoy. Laugh. Grow.
ORDER THE BOOK NOW!
Reprinted with permission from
The Observer, Official Newspaper of the Catholic Diocese
of Rockford.
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