Since I was a child the smell of fresh cut grass has always brought me much comfort. All my life I saw my Dad constantly mowing, seeding, and watering the lawn. He was very passionate about the work he performed. I was, and very much still am, so proud of my father. He ran his own business while he raised a family. He always gave us the love and attention we needed. He sparked my love for science while watching him enjoy his lawn and plants. It was not work for him. I was always amazed when he explained how certain plants had to go in specific places to grow properly, or this or that was needed for the soil to make them grow even better. I now have a huge collection of plants in and around my home.

My father was proud of the fact that the work he did helped to protect the environment and educate other people to do the same. I do not think he knew how much of a staple he was in this industry. After speaking with so many people that worked with him, it made me very happy to see how much respect they had for him. Most people I spoke with were speaking more of a friend rather than a business relationship. When he talked of his business, he was always so humble saying that he needed to do more, take this new course, or get into this new product. He never wanted to stop evolving and learning. I am still stumped as to how he was able to do so much in one business. It is difficult to explain to people in one short description what my father, Robert Barksdale, did for us.

The relationship I had with my father was more than any daughter could ask for. He was my mentor, my friend, and so much more. He taught me to be an independent woman, as well as, the value of education, kindness, and hard work. He taught me that these virtues could take me further- further than I could imagine. He left me with all the skills I need to make it in this world and I will never forget his teachings. I hope I can be as great a woman as he was a man. I thank all of those that have helped me through this time in my life and I thank my father for leaving such a great group of people to lean on.

I had the pleasure of meeting Robert as a young man when he claimed the “ripe old age of 25.  At that time he was working at the Lakeview Golf Course.  Ric Moore had been his manager and Ric had come to work for W. S. Connelly one year earlier.

Ric and I were beginning a new business, Hydro Lawn Spray in 1976.  I hired Ric to help us get started in the residential lawn care business.  Ric suggested we hire Robert Barksdale.  Thus, on or about 1980, Robert Barksdale joined W. S. Connelly & Co., Inc. and would remain with the company for over 20 years.

Robert began his career with us in our residential lawn care division---Hydro Lawn Spray.  He quickly became our most successful producer.  He set the production bar very high. In fact, so high that year in and year out he held the achievement record for highest spray production.  Robert ultimately earned a leadership role in the Company and assisted in running the LCO division until we sold it in 1987 to TruGreen Lawn Care.

By this time Robert had become a household name at W. S. Connelly and practically a Connelly family member.  But with sale of the LCO division Robert was left wondering whether he had a job and what that job would be. Seeing no point in him wondering for very long we purchased a little known distribution business located in Forest, VA called Landscape Supply.

Because of his loyalty and an amazing work ethic, Robert committed to a daily commute from Roanoke to Forest.  He continued this two-hour round trip for about 1 year util the decision was made to move Landscape Supply to Roanoke, VA.

Not long after LSI arrived in Roanoke, we set up its permanent headquarters there.  We hardly opened its doors, when Robert Barksdale assumed the role of General Manager.  He began this position in spring of 1984 and continued as General Manager until June of 2000.

During those 16+ years, under Robert’s guiding hand, LSI grew from a small erosion control distribution concern in Forest, VA to a successful wholesale distribution business recognized as a market leader in the Virginia Professional Turfgrass Industry.

During Robert’s 20-year employment tenure with W. S. Connelly, he was a loyal member of our team.  No matter the assignment Robert was a positive force, never second-guessing and always dedicated to simply getting on with the task at hand.

And the work was certainly not without challenge as during those 20 years, W. S. Connelly opened 4 businesses, sold 3, acquired two going concerns and closed 3.  No matter how challenging or difficult the assignment Robert was not simply willing; he was committed and prepared to take the steps necessary to insure success.

As those two decades passed Robert became much more than simply a “member” of the management team. Instead be became part of the fabric of what we all held dear, both at W. S. Connelly & Co and in the Connelly family.

He helped us through our ups and downs that further marked him as a key player in our success.  But as is often the case in life the success we now enjoy was preceded by a great deal of difficulty.  A great deal.

1989 was s red-letter year for W. S. Connelly & Co. as we hit the wall hard and slid down into face the distinct possibility having to declare bankruptcy.  It was during that summer that I asked Robert to stand shoulder to shoulder with me in an effort to save W. S. Connelly & Co. from financial peril.

I’ll never forget that June/July period of 1989 when Robert and I were locked up in our conference room for 30+ days straight, approximately 10 hours a day, sifting through thousands of sheets of paper in an attempt to pinpoint what had contributed to our financial difficulties!!

As my anxiety grew Robert never deviated from his task nor did he ever lose his optimism. We never found anything that adequately explained that situation so within two months Robert and I were forced to lay off 25% of the W. S. Connelly company and close three businesses.

As dark and depressing as those days were for me personally I was amazed by Robert’s dedication, commitment and loyalty to W. S. Connelly & Co. and his always being able to see the glass as half full.  It was during the year 1989 that I realized how much I loved and respected Robert Byrd Barksdale; not simply as an employee but as a man who did what he did because it was simply the “right thing” to do.

The years between 1989-1992 were very difficult but Robert played a significant roll to pull us through!!   I asked Robert to manage Landscape Supply and to grow it as quickly as possible while maintaining a profit.  And that’s exactly what he did.

I regularly look back at that tentative, tenuous, dangerous 3-5 year period between 1988-1993 and I realize just how important Roberts management of Landscape Supply was in the salvation of W. S. Connelly & Co., Inc.

By 1998, Robert had been with us for 18 years and decided he wanted to go open his own business.  My favorite memory of Robert concerns his process of leaving W. S. Connelly.  I did not want him to go but he was committed to doing so.  He gave me a 6 month notice which evolved into a year.  At the end of the first year, I talked him into staying 6 more months, which evolved into 12.

I had my fingers crossed, that he would not actually leave, and would remain.  But, it was not to be. Robert left in June of 2000, a full 2 years from the date of his resignation notice!!  We both loved and respected each other having worked together for 24 consecutive months after he gave notice. We worked through that two year period without one cross word, one misunderstanding, not one harsh word.  Truly remarkable in light of who Robert worked with!!!!

We remained very close friends and confidants for the following 14 years until the day of his passing.

When I received notice of Robert’s passing, I was convinced it was mistaken information and that actually his father (also Robert Byrd Barksdale) had died.  His dad was almost 90 years old when Robert died this past May and I was sure some information had become misreported, but it was not to be.

We lost a great friend of the W. S. Connelly & Co family when Robert B. Barksdale left us last May.  Not a day goes by I don’t laugh at his laugh and crack a smile remembering his.  He will never be forgotten!

I remember Robert when I was just a youngster working during summer break at Landscape Supply.  I can still see his office full of Miami Dolphins and Boston Celtics posters and trophies.  Even as a kid, I remember Robert as the life of the party, always full of laughs and good times.  As I grew older, I recognized how instrumental he was in the survival and success of W.S. Connelly.  

As the company was transitioning from one industry to another, Robert was the glue that kept us together, kept the company going.  His commitment and loyalty to our family business is something rarely seen then or now.  While always jovial and ready to have a good time, when it came to business he knew what was needed to get the job done and done well.  

When I meet with my dad and brother we often find ourselves in a discussion about Robert.  That discussion always gravitates to our wishing that he was still on the team. It would have been a good thing for him to experience first-hand the positives experienced over the last decade as the company has grown and enjoyed success.   

Robert carried our company, kept us all focused on overcoming the challenges we faced.  Robert came to my father’s side during those difficult times and stuck with him when most jumped ship.  Looking back that fact alone places Robert head and shoulders above most with whom I’ve come in contact with over the course of my career.

My brother Patrick and I will always remember and honor the icons that came before us and laid the foundation enabling our current success.  Men of integrity like Willard Connelly, George Miller, and now Robert Barksdale.  Three icons that kept this company together as we faced and ultimately overcame all that was placed in our path.  

Robert will always be respected and appreciated by all the Connelly’s.  He will always be a member of the LSI family.