By GUY WINDHOLZ
Looking up in the dictionary, MILESTONES are defined as benchmarks and achievements and LEGACIES are the attributes of special people and the gifts they leave to those that follow. Given that combination, a small photo of Calvin could be pasted within the dictionary next to those terms.
It was standing room only in the living room at the home of Calvin E. Harbin, in a pre-celebration of his 102nd birthday for Monday. His son, Ed, and two daughters, Mary and Ruth, were joined by most of his 7 grandchildren and 10 great-grand children. Missing would be Dorothy, the love of his life for 66 years and married to in 1947 while he was in special military service for his country on seven foreign tours of duty overseas during the war. He rose rapidly in rank to the point of being a Colonel before retiring and going into the Education Field.
There is not enough space on this page to detail all those accomplishments but necessary to highlight what he and others have done to benefit the Seniors of Ellis County and which has been spread to all other parts of the state and nation.
Cal would always point out the credit to those around him that were instrumental in and on the projects he was involved in and specific to the area of Seniors. Having worked under the President of Fort Hays State College at the time of Dr. John Gustad , he became Chairman of the Division of Education 1970-1972 and Dean of Faculty of Education 1972 – 1977.
It was at this time that a new-found focus of attention was started in help for the elderly citizens of that generation and now benefiting those of our generation. This would take him to Washington D.C. in lobby for and to the attention that should be given to this population. Calvin credits the support of Senator Bob Dole and Congressman Keith Sebelius for the start of federal appropriations of funding for Senior Citizen projects. He quotes the words of Sen Dole that, “This is a good program and it will live forever.”
On the local front he name-drops his partners in this endeavor to include the other founders of the Hays Senior Center as Leora B. Stroup and Dr. William D. Moreland. With a memory as sharp as a whip, other hard working contributors included Rev . William Miller, Alice Munsch, Dr. Harry Watts an even the Courthouse jail cook, Dorothy Curl and legal guidance freely given by Hays attorney Robert Glassman.
The first Hays Senior Meal Site came from these efforts and a truly great program with headquarters at Fort Hays for a variety of counties known as the Senior Companion Program that provides for visitations by other citizens to those that are home-bound.
Many a patron of the Senior Center would not have this knowledge were it not for Board member and secretary now going on a dozen years, Millie Karlin. She kicked started a birthday card shower and a bundle of them were delivered to Calvin on Monday.
Among the treasurers of the people in Ellis County that can be found and to have had the pleasure to visit with, Calvin Harbin is an uncovered a “gem” among us.
Those wishing to send birthday greetings to Calvin can address them to 301 E. 19th, Hays, Ks 67601
