Baltimore lost a good friend last week. William Donald Schaefer was the Mayor of Baltimore, twice. He was the Governor of the State of Maryland, twice. He was the Comptroller of Maryland, twice.
This morning, his body was taken to lie in state at the Maryland State House, the oldest in continual use in the USA. 
From Annapolis, Schaefer’s body was driven back to Baltimore, the city he loved with all of his heart and soul. He was a true public servant. He was not interested in self-promotion or self-glorification, but the betterment of the city and its people. His “do it now” mandates ensured that pot holes were filled, trash was removed and lights were glowing. His Order of the Rose campaign rewarded home-owners who kept their lawns tidy and their gardens blooming, with a little certificate of appreciation. 
What was especially poignant, and a fitting tribute, was the tour of Baltimore taken by the motorcade carrying his body and some of his close friends. There were stops at many of the places that now define Baltimore, but were his ideas, and at other places which he just loved. 
At the National Aquarium, where Schaefer once donned a Victorian-era swim suit and jumped in the seal pool, the staff came out and tipped their hats to him.
At Old Saint Paul’s Church, where his funeral will take place on Wednesday, and where he and my father attended 8:00 a.m. services every Sunday for many, many years. 
In Mount Vernon, a neighbourhood filled with cultural institutions, which he supported both as Mayor and Governor, the motorcade passed sidewalks filled with people paying their respects. 
On Federal Hill, with a view of the “new” city, with its vast changes in the past 30 years, many directly as a result of Mayor Schaefer’s broad thinking and vision.
And returning to City Hall, where it all began so many years ago, first as a city councilman, then as President of the City Council and finally as Mayor of the city he loved. He will lie in state at City Hall, before being buried on Wednesday.
William Donald Schaefer, we all loved you…and you loved us. Rest in Peace, Your Honour.
Meg,
ReplyDeleteVery moving, though I had never heard of the gentleman. He is just the kind of public servant our towns, cities and country need right now. Our fathers' generation were very special men indeed.
Marjorie
What I remember most of Mr. S was his basic decency. As I recall he lived with his mother until her death. He loved Baltimore and Maryland, never got rich at the job. The man cared.
ReplyDeleteA lovely tribute to a politician who was a true public servant, something that is unfortunately rarer and rarer in today's jaundiced, self-serving world. Thank you for this, it is inspiring and gives one hope.
ReplyDeleteA true public servant, who genuinely loved Baltimore. He will be missed.
ReplyDeleteEvery obituary and tribute I have read in the past week has made me cry and remember how glorious a politician William Donald Schaefer was.
ReplyDeleteSchaefer won my heart when I was in third grade and my English class wrote letters to him. Surprise - he wrote back! And the correspondence continued well past that school year - I naively thought it was actually the Mayor penning those letters, inquiring about my Christmas list that year or how my cats were - asking about them by name.
Lovely tribute.
ReplyDeleteWe need more men and women like him to serve.
Rest in Peace.
Very touching tribute to a very special man!!! RIP, kind sir.
ReplyDeleteThanks Meg. You did a great tribute. He was a true politician in every sense of the word. I apprecaite your sharing this with the world.
ReplyDeleteWhat a nice tribute to The Mayor, who was a true and faithful public servant indeed. I remember several other mayors from my earlier days in Baltimore, including Theodore R. McKeldin and Tommy D'Alessandro. I liked them all. Mayor McKeldin was especially a character, speaking in the style of a Victorian orator. The old comptroller Hymann Pressman was also fun, especially when he put on his poet's hat. Good people, all of them.
ReplyDeleteDavid in Raleigh
What a nice tribute Meg. He will be missed.
ReplyDeleteMeg -
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely tribute.
-Wendy
So great to hear about a politician who love who they represent and do a good job for them. Very humbling.
ReplyDelete