Who is this guy? At age 26, I’m managing a Ramada Inn in Coralville, Iowa. My boss, Rueben Drieling, calls and says he’s sending out Dewey Birdsall to put in new carpeting. “Take good care of Dewey.”
So the next day, Dewey Birdsall shows up ready to start work on our 140-room hotel. Something about this guy made me like him from the start — I mean, really like him. Every morning at 7 a.m. sharp, Dewey, with knee pads on, would go to work and stay on his knees until 5 p.m.
Within a week, everyone who worked at the Ramada told me they loved Dewey.
I didn’t get it. How did Dewey Birdsall become the most popular guy in the hotel? He was an average-looking man of 32 with a nice smile and one front tooth missing. He didn’t tell jokes or even talk that much. Dewey did no magic acts, and he was terrible at throwing a football.
Every Saturday, a group of us, including Dewey, would drive 30 miles to the horse-and-carriage Amana Colonies to feast on great German food, dished up family style. After just two weeks, a table for 14 was named the Dewey Birdsall Family. It filled up first. There would be Dewey, passing the plates and bowls around, sipping on a glass of wine, and eating great food. I didn’t catch him saying much or doing table tricks, but everyone loved Dewey Birdsall.
I was transferred before Dewey’s job was done. We hugged a goodbye, and I told him I thought he was a great guy.
What’s strange is, 55 years later, I still think of Dewey Birdsall. I still can’t figure out why everyone adored him so much.
I always hoped a little of Dewey rubbed off on me. It did not.
P.S. Later, Rueben told me Dewey Birdsall was a multi-millionaire. He just liked to lay carpet and make new friends along the way.
Tidying up