Shock and grief at the news of Todd's death and Barbara's serious injuries gave way to a flood of tributes and outpouring of support. Given the variety and scope of tributes — from complete strangers, long-time customers, even former employees whose first job had been at Bachman's decades ago — it's clear that his loss is felt so widely and deeply because his generosity and kindness knew no limits. In the floral industry, that wisdom and warmth will be missed, but not forgotten. We asked colleagues and friends (though most would argue you couldn't be one and not the other) to share their memories of Todd and prayers for Barbara, who at press time had been moved out of intensive care. On Wednesday, the AP reported that she was able to speak with relatives visiting her in China.

Share your memories and thoughts on the guestbook the Bachman family created on its Web site. That site will be updated with information about Barbara's recovery and Todd's memorial service. Here are a few recollections from SAF members: 

Rod Saline, AAF, owner of Engwall Florist & Greenhouses, Duluth, Minn., SAF president

Forty years of family dinner parties, dozens of convention luncheons and way too many PowerPoint presentations about sales forecasts and industry trends still can not measure the friendship of Rod Saline and Todd Bachman. "This is much harder than I thought it would be," says Saline of finding the right words to honor his friend, fellow Minnesotan and colleague in SAF and American Floral Endowment leadership: 

"My thoughts move toward the connection of our two families that goes back to the 50s when our parents were very involved in the Minnesota floral scene together, to my meeting Todd for the first time with the Minnesota flower growers group, to great dinners us couples would have at each others' homes, lots of laughs and great conversations. I remember the AFE and SAF conversations and the comparing of notes on sales trends, the ups and downs of the holiday numbers. But the memories that overwhelm are those of the warmth, the caring, the interest Todd took in hearing about our family and most of all the great smile that is just part of the mental picture I have of Todd and of Barb. The smile said it all."
 

Jim Leider, AAF, Leider Horticultural Cos., Inc. Buffalo Grove, Ill.

Todd Bachman was just out of college when he accompanied his father to a business seminar in Brainerd, Minn. Jim Leider made the same trip with his dad and, although he was eight years older than Bachman, still remembers the undeniable maturity of the other young aspiring floral business owner in attendance. "He was such a gentleman," Leider says of that first meeting. "Even then, his great character and high standards were evident." Those traits, combined with his acumen for running Bachman's and leadership in AFE, made Bachman an easy pick when Leider was looking for his successor as chair of Hortica. Bachman presided over his first meeting in that role this February. "Those shoes are impossible to fill," Leider says of his friend's role at Hortica, Bachman's and beyond. "He set an example."

Their adventures as friends, however, weren't always so serious or high-minded. Leider relays some vacation high-jinx:

"We were all together in Mexico: Todd, Barbara, Gary Gallup and his wife, Hermine, me and my wife (Peggy). And the guy leading the tour decided to play a little joke on Barbara and Todd. He's says, "I'm sorry, there's just not enough room at the hotel, but we'll be able to put you up at this local ranch." We roll up to this God-awful little, dirt-floored shack in the middle of this remote town and drop them off. Todd and Barbara just get off the bus with their luggage and watched us drive away.  Of course, we turned around and told them it was a joke and to get back on the bus. But they were just going to roll with it, make the best of it. He was such a great sport. He put with up so much silliness. People just loved being around him."

Bob McClellan, former CEO of Hortica Insurance & Employee Benefits, Edwardsville, Ill.

The Bachman family's decision to keep its 29 stores open through the tragedy comes as no surprise to Bob McClellan. That message, McClellan says, would have come directly from Todd Bachman's mouth: We have an obligation to the people we serve, the employees we support.

That steady calm is one McClellan has watched, often in awe, the Bachman family deploy time and time again through choppy situations. When several leading family-run businesses were wrestling with transitions, McClellan says, the Bachman family set the course, showing others how to operate with grace, respecting their dedication to family while at the same time reacting to the challenges of the business. Later, when rancor and politics over wire service choices were starting to erode industry-wide relationships and sour the discourse, the Bachman family — with Todd's guidance evident — led the way again. "They showed us the importance of loyalty and how to keep your commitments and still change with the times," McClellan says. "Todd is the epitome of what is right about a family-owned business."

At Hortica, McClellan benefited from Todd Bachman's guidance on the board and got a front-row view of his ability to make everyone feel part of the fold.

"I just loved it when he'd come visit our organization. Todd is a tall guy, a huge presence with a delicate touch ... the gentle giant. He is a hugger. He embraced everyone —but not before engaging them first with that big smile. You could see it coming. Barbara was the same way. You just wanted to be close to them. They made it easy. At my retirement party, there was a very diverse crowd from the horticulture and floriculture industry, Todd was there of course and he spoke. I bet he knew 90 percent of the people there. It was profound. Everyone was coming up and talking to him. The last time I visited Todd, I walked through his organization and was just taken aback by the number of his workers, part-timers and full, who would come up, give him hug and talk to him like family. That's what he was to us all: family."

Wanda Weder, AAF, Highland Supply Corp., Highland, Ill.

When Wanda Weder became chairman of AFE in 2005, she knew exactly whose leadership style to emulate. In 1996, Weder joined the endowment as trustee and Todd Bachman was at the helm. Weder immediately starting taking mental notes. 

"From the time I first knew Todd, I admired him, his ethics, genuine caring, sense of humor, love of the industry and love of his family," she says. "Todd was an example that you don't need to be ruthless and cutthroat to be successful."

And although Bachman never preached or lectured, the lessons he taught Weder went beyond the boardroom. You could be an industry icon, a member of a legendary family, a sought-after counsel — all traits that Weder is quick to assign to Bachman — but still open your packed schedule and long arms to embrace your family and friends.

"Conversations with Todd could be serious, but he was always upbeat, kind, cheerful and giving. His voice will long be in my mind. Our last visit was typical Todd.  He was gracious, excited about his wonderful family, especially his children and grandchildren. Family was very important to Todd. He and Barbara loved to travel to watch Elisabeth play volleyball all over the world. Todd was a vital man — a gift to the floral industry, and we lost him far too soon. It is his family's tragedy, but is also a tragedy to each of us who knew and revered him. How very grateful we must be to have been touched in our lives by a man like Todd Bachman. I'm so very sorry for his wonderful family. The loss is greater than any words can convey."

Pete Garcia, AAF, Pete Garcia Company, Atlanta

When you're charged with doing the impossible, it helps to have a partner who thinks that with enough patience, hard work and humor, anything is possible. Pete Garcia found just his superhero sidekick in Todd Bachman. Over three decades and through their work on countless committees, the two were often given no budget and a tall order to tackle — like raise money for a new initiative, formulate opinions on divisive issues and do it all on their own time while still running major operations. "But Todd was the person who could never give back enough," Garcia says. "So, he'd lock arms with me, we'd head out on our mission. He just had this way ... success came from what he pursued."

Those successes were never the stuff of bravado, Garcia says, making the full impact of his absence hard to measure. " I don't think any of us realize what a huge loss this is just yet. He was such a quiet, powerful force, working behind the scenes, never any demagoguery, never any self-serving motive or PR agenda. He just kept moving, without any reservation, toward where he was needed. Words don't quite do the job here. There are so many facets of a jewel, it's hard to describe each facet.  You just have to step back and see how brilliant the stone as a whole shines. "

Like his big hugs, Bachman's reach into the floral industry guided many. You didn't have to go on vacations with him or spend decades in his orbit to feel his pull, as the following quotes reveal:

Mona B. Haberer, president and CEO, Hortica

"Todd was a trusted friend and mentor whose wise counsel was always accessible. People were naturally attracted to his quiet, unassuming manner and ready smile. The fact that his irreplaceable leadership has been extinguished is difficult to comprehend for all of those who knew him. We extend our deepest sympathies to Barbara and their family, as well as the family of Bachman employees who are so profoundly touched by this devastating loss. Our prayers are for a full and complete recovery for Barbara and the Chinese guide, who were also injured."

Jim Phillip, Phillip's Flower & Gifts, Westmont, Ill.

"Of all the billions of people in the world, it's unbelievably tragic that it could happen to two of the nicest: Todd and Barbara. As the owner of a much smaller, multi-generational retailer, we can only imagine the devastating effect this has on such a close-knit staff of 1,600. Certainly, someone who has been the chair of Hortica, the Endowment and his own family enterprise will be missed in countless ways. You don't hold the positions without being at the pinnacle of your industry."

Red Kennicott, AAF, Kennicott Brothers Company, Chicago

"Todd was just one of the finest men I knew, such a great and unselfish force in the flower business. He brought the same thing to every endeavor: insight, thoughtfulness and ideas. He was just a person who could come up with a solution and help people work through it together. On the AFE board, he brought not only some great leadership but also so many new ideas and a way of thinking that helped the endowment become more effective. He was just always willing to help."

--Amanda Long
along@safnow.org

 

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