A Tale of Two Men

Within the last week, my emotions have gone from sadness to joy, simply by knowing two extraordinary men in our community.

Glenn McInstosh, Senior Vice President of Student Affairs, Oakland University

Last week, I learned of the passing of my friend, Glenn McIntosh.  Glenn was the Senior Vice President of Student Affairs at Oakland University, and someone I have known for more than three decades.  He was a larger-than-life presence on campus and beyond, and he was a role model and friend to many.  I used to tell him that I wanted to be Glenn McIntosh when I grow up.  He was less than a year older than me. Over the years, Glenn had at least a couple of nicknames that I knew of; Dean Mac, and Mr. OU.  One came from his days as Dean of Students, the other because of his unwavering support of the university he loved so much.  Glenn was one of those “once in a lifetime” people that everyone hopes they will meet and have in their life.  He was kind, considerate, caring, charismatic, and funny, particularly when engaging with him at an event or one-on-one at lunch.  And most of all, he was a loyal friend.  At the risk of sounding overly dramatic, I can’t even imagine an OU without Glenn, but while Glenn will no longer be walking the halls of OU, his legacy will remain forever. Rest in peace, Glenn.

Henry Knight, City Councilman, City of Auburn Hills

And then there’s Henry Knight.  Tuesday evening, I attended an event called “A History Night with Mr. Knight”.  Henry and his wife Claire began their life together in Auburn Hills in 1957.  To put that in perspective, that’s the year that Oakland University was founded.  Not too many people can say that they met Matilda Dodge Wilson who donated her estate for the creation of what was first called, MSU-Oakland.  But Henry can.  Last evening he talked to a group of attendees about the early years of the Auburn Hills community, back when it was known as Pontiac Township.  Henry was a member of the charter commission and assisted in the writing of the city’s charter in the early 1980’s.  That is a lot of history and knowledge wrapped up in one man.  Today, Henry continues to serve as a member of the Auburn Hills City Council and has been recognized by the State of Michigan as being the eldest serving elected official in the state.  And he’s just filed to run for another term on City Council.

Thinking of these two men, I can’t help but realize how blessed I am to have had them as positive influences and role models in my life.  And there is one thing that these two men had in common more than anything.  They led through their faith.  Everything these men have done has been guided by a set of principles that placed others before self.  And they’ve done it unselfishly and with ease.

It is sad to have to say goodbye to Glenn McIntosh.  He will be dearly missed by so many people who loved him.  And I look to someone like Henry Knight, and his 94 years on this earth and all that he has done and still wants to do,  and I have to say to myself, how lucky am I to have had two such extraordinarily positive influences on my life.

Thomas A. Tanghe, City Manager