Posted: 11/16/04
Elmer L. Andersen made a difference to many
Elmer L. Andersen inspired many people to reach their full potential while he served Minnesota and the nation as a successful business executive, legislator and newspaper publisher.
He brilliantly and creatively developed solutions to problems and his persistence and extraordinary leadership served the people well in a state he loved.
Those who served with him and knew him as a friend honored him by electing him a state senator, a governor for one extraordinary term, a chair of the Minnesota Board of Regents and president of the University of Minnesota Foundation
They recognized him by naming the State Human Services Building in his honor, and a library on the campus of the University of Minnesota to which he gave his magnificent book collection.
As a statesman, he used the political process to sponsor fair-employment-practices legislation, the stateís first civil rights bill and to improve education, particularly for those children with special learning needs. His mark is on much legislation: the first Metropolitan Planning Commission and help for the chemically dependent and mentally disturbed juveniles. He is credited for developing the Voyageurs National Park and expanding parks in the state.
He reached out and touched many lives and inspired leaders in all sectors of the stateís society. But those who know him best will remember him as a kind, caring, loving and devoted friend who was intensely interested in their welfare. He was devoted to his wife Eleanor and his sons Anthony and Julian and daughter Emily.
Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty said it well. ìElmer Andersen epitomized the Minnesota spirit. His civic involvement touched every important aspect of Minnesota life. He never stopped reaching for higher ideals or encouraging us all to give more of ourselves.î
While he will be extolled as a brilliant business executive as a builder and president of the H. B. Fuller Company, and an accomplished and distinguished legislator, he also was a publisher of community newspapers. At the age of 67, he purchased two newspapers in Princeton, and eventually built ECM Publishers Inc. into a multi-million-dollar publishing, distribution and printing company.
True to his business philosophy, he insisted that the company contribute time, talent and money to the communities where he had newspapers. The hallmarks of all of his businesses were to serve the customer, to have a talented and motivated staff, a combination that yielded a profit for shareholders, and to give back a percentage of the profits to worthy civic causes.
Within ECM Publishers, Inc. is a Community Affairs Council, that locally raises funds and together with the companyís contributions donates to local charities and needy organizations, provides scholarships to employeeís families and honors a staff member with the Elmer L. Andersen Award for Community Service.
In his book ìA Manís Reachî, he said, ìThe quality of life in a companyís hometown is important to that businessís welfare and future. I think every business person has a responsibility to contribute something to the community through government service, involvement with the schools, or charitable volunteer efforts.î
For many years he wrote an editorial and a column every week. Rather than just report the news, he insisted that editors partner with communities to make them better. .
Elmer led by example and through his leadership and contributions helped bring a library to Princeton. True to his political nature, he took a strong interest in identifying leadership in communities and worked to get them elected.
He will be missed by many, but particularly the leadership and staff at ECM Publications Inc. where he built a company that not only served customers but treated the employees with dignity and respect and generously rewarded them with a complete benefit package.
Once asked what makes the difference in a personís life, he said, ìI believe giving is at the essence. Giving oneís self in service to others is the wellspring of lifeís satisfactions. The reward that comes from getting of perishable material wealth is superficial and fleeting. Abiding happiness derives from knowing that one has had a share in making a better future for someone else.î ñ Don Heinzman
Caledonia Argus
314 West Lincoln St.
P.O. Box 227
Caledonia, MN 55921-0227
507/724-3475
E-Mail: editor.argus@ecm-inc.com