Don Karcher: a very special person - obituary - Publisher's Perspective - Editorial

Tuesday, May 19, Chicago -- Word arrived today at my hotel that Don Karcher, president and chief operating officer of Carl's Jr., Anaheim, Calif., had passed away. Later, at the National Restaurant Association's Educational Foundation Banquet, Ted Balestreri, master of ceremonies, closed with the announcement and comments on Don that were very appropriate.

Tonight, reflecting as I look out a the great city of Chicago and coming down from a high-energy and emotional week at the National Restaurant Association convention, I am reminded that we are all part of a dynamic and exciting industry. Being a participating member of the foodservice industry grants many rewards. One of them is knowing and sharing time with people like Don Karcher.

There is in my opinion no other industry that includes a greater group of men and women who are truly great Americans, outstanding business and entrepreneurial executives and the hardest-working and most gracious givers to their companies, employees and the cities, states and country in which they work.

When one of our foodservice family passes on, there is always a deep loss.

Don Karcher, as president of Carl's Jr., represented a track record of business achievement. The results and success of Carl's Jr., reflect that fact.

He and his brother Carl Karcher CEO of Carl's, Jr., worked as a complementary team that confronted the many hurdles and challenges everyone faces in expanding a restaurant business in today's world.

Don was a behind-the-scenes inside executive who was an operational doer. He was a quiet and gentle man who held firm opinions and strong views. When pressed, he would share them in a forceful, articulate manner. He was deeply concerned about his business and the forces that had an effect on his activities and employees.

There was also a commitment to civic affairs, charity and church that was an integral part of his character.

Those traits translate into a pro-active individual who made an impact.

Don Karcher was an involved person, and there were not too many major industry events where Don and Dolly, his lovely wife, were not in attendance. Last August he assumed the presidency of the California Restaurant Association, knowing of his terminal illness. He was determined to see it through and make a contribution. A week before his death, he was on the road assisting in a new store opening.

Last fall Carl Karcher shared with me the recollection that Don had given a speech at a corporate manager's meeting, the main point of which was that life goes on, and we must continue to meet the challenges of excellence -- whatever our condition. It must have been one of those truly inspirational speeches that reached beyond the limits. I wish I could have been there.

He truly gave of himself. His history of devoting his time, talent and resources to causes that were important to him represented an outreach everyone could use as a model.

One of the real measures of the man was his commitment, care and love for his family. That was always his No. 1 priority, with no exceptions. Don and Dolly were a team and a couple that were inseparable.

This is a loss felt by all who knew Don and by many who were helped and inspired by him. We will feel that void. At the same time we can all be thankful that Don Karcher gave so much of himself to our industry and country.

COPYRIGHT 1992 Reproduced with permission of the copyright holder. Further reproduction or distribution is prohibited without permission.
COPYRIGHT 2004 Gale Group