L&T Publisher Earl Watt
He probably never knew it, but around the newspaper office throughout the years we referred to Don Witzke as “Smilin’ Don.”
Back when we used to have to build a lot more real estate ads than we do today, Don’s ad was a regular, and a friend of mine handled his account.
Mike sold the ads, and I built them, and we were always part of the skeleton crew that worked on Saturdays.
One Saturday, Mike thought it would be funny when an angry customer didn’t get their paper to forward the call to me, claiming the call was a friend.
After I got an earful, Mike had a laugh watching me jot down the notes, apologize profusely, and then deliver the note to the circulation desk.
Later, Don Witzke called in to talk to Mike about his ad. I told Mike that his wife was on Line 2. He picked it up and said, “Hey baby, what’s up?”
His voice quickly changed when he said, “Oh, Mr. Witzke. Yes, Mr. Witzke. I’ll get that changed.”
It was hilarious. To me, anyway. Mike failed to see the humor in it.
About a week later on a Friday, Mike was again working on Witzke’s weekend ad when Don was making his way to the camera room where Mike was cutting in some new houses on the ad.
I poked in and asked Mike, “Hey, you working tomorrow?” just as Mr. Witzke made his way to the door.
“Hell yes,” Mike said. “You and I are the only (expletive)s that work here on Saturday.”
Just then he looked up and saw a smiling Don Witzke at the door.
“Oh, Mr. Witzke,” Mike said in a panic. “I’ve just about got your proof ready.”
Smilin’ Don took it in stride, and he always did.
Over the years he would come to the office with a suggestion or community concern, and he would share them with that patented smile that was uniquely his.
Being the shrewd business man he was, there was not a major real estate deal that happened that didn’t involve Smilin’ Don. Some thought he had insider information. Maybe so, Maybe not. Either way, if Witzke was involved, a lot of those deals were made.
And he was committed to his faith. When the idea of a possible casino came along, he opposed it on moral grounds. He might have made out like a bandit finding the land and making the deal, but he followed a moral compass the few still use today.
Often I would see him working on the lawn at the First Baptist Church before he came to rely on a cane.
He was recognized by the newspaper as the Citizen of the Year.
He was part of a group of people that had a heavy hand on how Liberal grew, from his time on the School Board to his profession. His was a generation of dreamers and doers.
Some of his ideas worked. Some didn’t. But he wasn’t afraid to try.
He believed in Liberal, and was a community cheerleader and coach.
And through it all, the ups and the downs, I’ll always remember his smile.
