Singing the 'Blues'

A couple of weeks ago, I received an invitation to the June Blue Cross and Blue Shield reunion luncheon in Concord.

Dozens of retirees as well as past and present employees gather at the in Concord. I had never attended before last year and have asked myself repeatedly since, why not?

When I walked into the packed restaurant last June, the more than 25 years since I had left the insurance company melted away instantly and I seemed to almost pick up conversations where they'd been left off back in the 1980s. I realized how much I had missed the people and just how many of the lessons learned during those nearly 7 1/2 years on Pillsbury Street, I had carried with me ever since.

For a number of years, Blue Cross and Blue Shield had been one of the largest private employers in the Concord community. If I recall correctly, there were probably more than 800 people busily working in the imposing six floor building which Steve Duprey has more recently renovated. While the late 1970s and early years of the 1980s may seem like the "Dark Ages" to some, it was an era in which we were all united by a common goal - to serve the public in the best possible way - and we did it with humor, pathos, heartfelt emotion and amazing dedication.

I learned a lot about the importance of a work ethic during those years. Previously I had thought that sick leave benefits were something to be used with the same relish as vacation time. "I've earned it, so why not use it, especially on a Monday or Friday to make the weekend just a tad longer."

At Blue Cross, I spent several years working in personnel. That's what we called it before it was replaced by human resources. I liked personnel - it was straightforward and simple. 

In personnel, I had a veritable college course in developing good work habits from Ron, Millie, Debbie, Janette and Dottie. Our office provided a place that other employees could come to for answers or to shed a tear, share a laugh or seek counsel about their own career concerns or frustrations. The door was always open and thousands walked through it.

I was living in Hillsboro during my first 4 1/2 years at Blue Cross and enjoyed the 25 minute commute.

When the Blizzard of '78 hit, everyone showed up to work. It was a "just another snowstorm," although somewhat snowier, and while the ride took almost an hour and a half, no thought was given to staying home. Our jobs were part of a team effort and we all recognized the importance of the role we played.

Most of the Executive Offices were on the sixth floor but I always found the folks that worked up there to be down to earth, hard-working and just as committed as we were on floors 1-5.

Oliver Fifield was the president of the Company and I'd never have thought to call him anything other than "Mr. Fifield." He had earned that respect and if you found yourself on the elevator with him, he knew your name, what department you worked in and always personalized a conversation. He knew his employees and set an example, as did most of the management personnel.

Our customer service was second to none. Geri and Doris the telephone operators really cared whether or not you reached the correct department when you called in as hundreds did daily. They took the time to make sure your concerns would be addressed by the right person. You could even come in off the street and find a concerned individual who would sit down with you and help you through the myriad of paperwork that insurance claims often generated.

Last year I read a story in the newspaper about the passing of a famed elephant named "Queenie." The story talked about the woman who had once performed with Queenie, Liz Dane. Could it have been the same Liz Dane who ran the exemplary Customer Service Department at Blue Cross? 

It was and I contacted her and was amazed that I had worked around this consummate professional for so many years without realizing what a fascinating past she has.

The tens of thousands of people who worked at Blue Cross through the many decades probably have interesting lives too that go far beyond the work they did with such diligence and pleasure, serving the needs of hundreds of thousands.

Revisiting the past as I did last June where I was received with genuine warmth and pleasure, is something we all should do from time to time. You might find, like me, that the influence of that job and the people you labored with, has contributed something special to the life you are now living.