Above / This recent picture of five of the eight members in a local coffee group was taken in December 2019 at Einstein’s. Pictured are Ben, Larry, Jim, Nat and Walt. “The holidays were difficult to get all parties together for a photo. Already, Jim has returned to South Carolina,” Nat Goodman said. (Photo courtesy Nat Goodman)
Twice a week at Einstein’s in Downtown Naperville and once per month at the Judd Kendall VFW, eight old friends, all longtime Napervillians, can be overheard discussing some light subjects, but mostly engaged in political and economic issues. They have known each other as much as 50 years working at Sears in the Northeast and Middle Atlantic, joining the retail giant during or after college. Three are Vietnam veterans while two served as combat arms officers. The eight were transferred to Sears Headquarters in the 1970-1980s retiring with a range of 26 and 40 years of Sears service.
Furthermore, their professional focus was similar. They served as finance and accounting executives generally with advanced degrees and professional certifications. Less frequency but with significant criticism, they discuss the downfall of their beloved company but hearten with the good old days.
They mourn the absence of the catalyst and the group spark, Jim, who moved to the Carolinas in the fall who had an after career in real estate.
Walt is the group’s erudite analyst of various issues with well-founded predictions.
Due to spinoffs, Larry also held senior positions at IBM and AT&T bringing other corporate prospective and a conservative tone.
Bob is now an adjutant religion instructor at Lewis University. Bob and Kirk bring a faith-based viewpoint. Kirk, our only regional outlier hailing from Texas, just retired from a second career as a United Methodist Pastor.
Pete, our patriot hero, served as a young infantry lieutenant/advisor in Vietnam and was awarded the Bronze Star for Valor and the Purple Heart.
After Sears, Ben pursued a successful career in merchandise liquidation but now can be seen most days volunteering at Food Pantry in Wheaton or Operations Support Our Troops in Lisle.
Nat went on to consult on five continents presenting nearly 1000 full-day seminars. Currently he is a 10-year docent at the First Division Museum at Cantigny.
The monthly meetings at the VFW have structured agendas with rotating leaders. (Four of the eight men in the group are VFW-Legion members.) Divisive politics, with half on each side of the political fulcrum, have challenged their patience, but comradeship and mutual respect triumphs over differences.
People can work together united despite differences and good old buddies can always be great old buddies!
Story submitted by Naperville resident Nat Goodman
