Robert Lane Cruikshank

On September 11, 2001 Carr Futures investment bank lost 69 employees on the 92nd floor of Tower One. 64 year old Robert Lane Cruikshank was one of them. If you're wondering why I mentioned the other 68 victims first -- I think Mr. Cruikshank would have been offended had I not.

You see, he was the kind of vice president who truly cared for his employees. The kind of man whose colleagues from 30 years past cried at the news of his passing. He was the kind of man who gave chances, when other employers wouldn't hire the inexperienced. The kind of man who broke out the champagne for career advancements and anniversaries. He was the kind of man who made you feel special.

A man you wanted to work for.

Robert Cruikshank was born in Pennsylvania and spent his childhood in Bellevue, Illinois. He studied economics at Princeton university, from which he graduated in 1958. Prestigious degree in hand, he would then embark on what could only be called a most impressive career. He returned to Illinois, sharing his expertise on national and international monetary affairs with several corporations over the years. He even chaired the executive committee of the Chicago Board Options Exchange prior to joining the Equity Group - a Chicago based real estate investment firm. But there was more to this man than just work. He was an avid sportsman who kept himself in excellent condition. Skiing, golf and tennis were several of his passions, the last of which you see memorialized on his 9/11 quilt below.

It wasn't only that he loved the game, he excelled at it. Known for his skill on the court, he often quipped, "Fast hands - once you have 'em, you never lose 'em.

The other image you see on the quilt is that of a house, with the words "Mountain De Open Dour" inscribed upon it. It's a symbol of the home he and his wife of 39 years, Marianne, shared in Stratton. A home I'm certain must be filled with loving memories. I'm also certain Mr. Cruikshank had a brilliant sense of humor, and I arrived at this conclusion after reading the following quote from his son, Douglass:

"While I'm not familiar with the actual logistics of traveling to Heaven, I am 100 percent sure of two things: 1) that Dad purchased the lowest-cost coach fare; and 2) that he found a way to upgrade, in advance, to First Class. Goodbye, Dad. We love you so much."

That a man could be remembered as he truly was - and not simply as the man he no longer is - this is the mark of someone special. Mourning is easy. Keeping a man's memory alive in the way he would have wished it - few can boast of such an accomplishment. To have lived your life in such a way that people can only smile at the thought of you - this is the true test of who you were in life. This man is remembered with love, loyalty and laughter. How many of us will be able to say the same when our time comes?

Not many, of this I'm sure.

Robert Lane Cruikshank was survived by his wife Marianne, daughter Christine, son Douglass, daughter-in-law Lisa, granddaughter Lindsey, as well as his mother, older brother and two sisters. In closing, I leave you with a quote from the woman who knew him best: "You could trust him. Grown men have been here crying. He was a rock to everyone we knew."

I believe you, Mrs. Cruikshank. I really, really do.

xx Isabella