Rodney Farrow was more than just a Seymour attorney for 49 years.
He was also an active citizen who worked with many nonprofit organizations.
As president of the Seymour Museum Center, I got to work with him for six or seven years, and I learned a lot from him. He’s the one who talked me into joining SMC in the first place. When at first I said, “No,” he asked if I’d do it for the kids and the community. I finally said, “Yes.”
Rodney had a servant’s heart, and by watching him, I got to observe what I believe a model citizen does. He didn’t charge anything for his services, and he never complained about doing hard work and lots of it. By serving on the Seymour Museum board, he got to display his love for his community and its citizens. I loved working with Rodney, whom I respected greatly.
The entire SMC board respected him and his opinions.
Seymour City Councilman and SMC board member Jerry Hackney said, “Rodney was city attorney when he asked me to take a tour (of the Seymour Museum) and I decided to join. Rodney impressed me with his knowledge and dedication. I considered Rodney to be a good friend.”
Rodney served many organizations, which I’m told included the Elks Lodge, Kiwanis Club, Eagles Lodge, Girls Inc., Big Brothers Big Sisters, Jackson County Industrial Development Corp., Seymour Redevelopment Commission, St. Ambrose parish, Jackson County Juvenile Home Board and Knights of Columbus. Also, he helped start the Jackson County Ambulance Service.
“Rodney was a compassionate leader who cared for our county and Seymour, always urging everyone to be kind to one another. We all will miss him,” said SMC Treasurer Bob Kamman.
Longtime SMC board member Carol King said, “He put his all into the museum for no acknowledgment because he loved the museum. We’re going to miss him and his legal expertise.”
Carol also stated he was a good supporter of our Parking Lot Pickers fundraiser, whereas he would be there the entire time and loved helping.
Among my best memories are seeing Rodney smile when we first got approved by the city redevelopment commission, which paid for a new roof. The museum building is a city-owned building, so we both thought that was a win-win.
Rodney also advocated for SMC joining the Indiana Historical Society, and Rodney applied for grants with IHS. He’d usually get us approved for $5,000 each year.
In conclusion, there’s no way to properly say goodbye to my friend, Rodney Farrow. He often talked highly of his church, St. Ambrose, and I never heard him say anything bad about anyone.
All of Seymour’s citizens have their own story on how he has impacted their life, but all I can say is he has made me a better person and a better citizen of this community. I miss him greatly, but he’ll live on in all of us he has impacted. He has definitely impacted me.
His last request to the museum board was, “Be kind to one another.” How can anyone dispute that request?
Lenny Hauersperger is president of the Seymour Museum Center. Send comments to [email protected].