It was April 6, 2017, and I was a nervous wreck.

Bob Mitchell, editor of the Cassville Democrat from 1954-1995 and columnist through 2022, was to be inducted into the Regional Media Hall of Fame at Missouri Southern State University that night. I assumed one of his newspaper industry contemporaries would give the induction speech, but, of the few still living, none were in good enough health to travel to Joplin for the ceremony.

So Bob asked me to make the speech. I reluctantly agreed, but felt unequal to the task. I am a mediocre public speaker on a good day. How could I do such a long and distinguished career justice?

Bob was a lion of the newspaper industry in Cassville and Southwest Missouri. He was ahead of his time throughout his career, staying on top of industry innovations, such as making the switch to offset printing in the 1960s.

Perhaps more importantly, Bob was a champion of all things Cassville. He served as chairman of the Industrial Development Corporation for 16 years and was instrumental in helping bring two major employers to town. There is no doubt that Cassville would not be the town it is today if not for Bob Mitchell.

Anyway, my nerves eventually calmed and the induction speech was adequately delivered. It was good practice for five months later, when I had the honor of inducting Bob into the Missouri Press Association Hall of Fame — the highest lifetime achievement honor that can be bestowed on a newspaper professional in the state of Missouri.

Bob often credited me with getting him into the Hall of Fame, but I did nothing of the sort. He had an amazing career and the selection committee made the right choice. I just delivered the message and stayed out of the way while common sense ran its course.

I first met Bob shortly after taking over as publisher of the Democrat in 2013. I was warned that he could be a bit of a curmudgeon, but I somehow never managed to find myself on his bad side. In fact, over the years, I found that behind his sometimes-gruff exterior was a heart of gold.

During a rough point in my life, I returned to the office from a Cassville Rotary Club meeting to find a gift basket and a handwritten note from Bob on my desk. Even after my departure from the Democrat five years ago, he would still call me often to inquire about my business and ask how my family was doing, especially my daughter, now 3.

The last time he called was a few weeks ago. I got his voicemail and put calling him back on my to-do list.

I should have ranked it higher. That opportunity is now gone. I’m sorry, Bob. I wish I could go back and visit with you one last time. If you’re reading this from Heaven, please blame my head, not my heart.

My heart sank last Wednesday morning as I got word from Kyle Troutman, my former editor and now-publisher of the Cassville Democrat, that Bob had passed away the night before. Later that night, after I had time to process the news, I joked to Kyle that Bob, of all people, should have known better than to die on a Tuesday night after the deadline for that week’s paper.

Then again, maybe he wanted it that way. Maybe he didn’t want a big fuss made over him. Maybe he preferred that the spotlight be shined on other goings on in Cassville and Barry County, just as he himself had done the previous 68 years.

But, like it or not, Bob is getting the sendoff he deserves. He made a major impact in my life. If you’re reading this newspaper or live in the Cassville area, he made a major impact in your life, too, whether you realize it or not.

Jacob Brower served as publisher of the Cassville Democrat from 2013-2018. He is now president of Springfield-based Archer’s Bow Media & Marketing.