Character Traits

I attended the funeral today for a man I consider a friend. As I sat listening to the extremely positive things that were said about him, I realized that he lived the 6 pillars of characters. He was very wealthy and could have easily lived the life of wealth -- going to fancy parties, driving fancy cars, traveling to faraway places. He didn't. He lived a very simple, private and humble life. Living next door to him you would never know that he was one of the wealthiest persons in the county.

Here are a few ways he lived the 6 pillars of character.

RESPONSIBLE: He raised 2 sons along with his wife and taught them the high morals he valued.
RESPECTFUL: He sometimes rode his bike to work, which shows respect for our environment and his health.
CARING: He helped start the local ambulance service 30 years ago and worked as a volunteer EMT.
FAIRNESS: He attended local sporting events and events of his alma mater and cheered on his team with great spirit. He concentrated on his team and not the forces that he had no control.
TRUSTWORTHY: He worked as a CPA in a town of 2000 people. He kept his client's finances in his office and not once did he leak them into the rumor mill of a small town.
CITIZENSHIP: He loved our small town and worked on many volunteer committees to help make it a better place -- not only for those that live here now, but also for those that will live here in the future.

He had a mission and lived by that mission everyday. Bradley J. Burgum died at age 58 and we will miss him tremendously.