by Joe Snyder
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Gallatin lost a distinguished citizen late last week when Charles Belshe died Saturday in the Liberty hospital. While his professional service as a loan officer and a vice-president for The First National Bank was widely respected, he was basically a "man of the soil" and some of his best moments were spent as a county agent and watching things grow on his farm.
Charlie was one of Gallatin’s most outstanding civic leaders and community workers. He reminded me of the little boy who said to his teacher: "I do too know how to spell banana. It’s just I forget to stop."
He and I served together on a number of projects in the days when Gallatin had the vision and energy to try and make things happen. He belonged to a number of organizations and was a "sparkplug" in every one of them. It was not his nature to sit back and let someone else do the job. He contributed much to the once-active Chamber of Commerce; he held offices in the Veterans of Foreign Wars; and he enjoyed — and created — much excitement and fun in the Lions Club. His leadership role in the Presbyterian Church here is a testament to his faith and dedicated service. He was a valuable school board member for a time.
Age creeps up on us so silently, it is often a shock when we finally recognize its presence. Then unexpected illness enters the picture and adds a new dimension. Perhaps that is why so many of us achieve old age totally unprepared to meet its challenge. Charlie was not ready to accept what fate dealt him and became rebellious in accepting it. Many of us are like him, or will be soon.
People in this county take Lake Viking for granted, not knowing of all the hard work that went into this fine project, the envy of other communities in this region. Many are not aware that Charles Belshe played a key role in the lake project, assisting in negotiations with landowners for the purchase of their land, some of which had been in their family for years. (Not one piece of property had to be condemned.)
Charles Belshe never accepted a civic responsibility for the honor. He was well aware of the usual hard work connected with the task, but always seemed sincerely happy that he had a new challenge to face. Fortunately, he worked for Bob Paul at The First National Bank who generously permitted Charlie to take on civic responsibilities, regardless of the time and expense sometimes involved.
Charles Belshe had a busy and productive life. He served and rejoiced in his many friends. When the bell tolled for him last Saturday, I doubt he was mourning the "good old days." He had experienced them, he had enjoyed them, and they were stored in his memory when the call came.
I do not choose to remember his uncomfortable days in the nursing home and, more recently, in the hospital. I will only remember one of the most energetic, fun-loving guys I’ve ever known. By now I’m sure Charlie is aware that death is life’s greatest adventure.