Where I Stand — Brian Greenspun: Deskin sorely missed

Sunday, June 6, 1999 | 9:45 a.m.

MEMO TO RUTHE:

Ruthe Deskin's column writing career started at the Las Vegas Sun close to half a century ago. That may seem like a long time, but for those of us who have had the good and privileged fortune of working with her and learning from her all these years, it has been far too short a time. And for the thousands of Sun readers who have followed her common sense approach to life in this city through her columns, I know it is not nearly enough time for us to fully understand all that she has said. That's the purpose of this memo, Ruthe.

Many years ago, my father played hooky from his column writing responsibilities and it fell upon the assistant to the publisher, Mrs. Deskin, to fill his space. She wrote a "Memo to Hank" in place of his "Where I Stand." It was an effort that had two salutary results. First, it gave my dad the idea that at least once a week he could take the day off and, two, it gave Ruthe an outlet into the community that for the last five decades has brought her a sense of satisfaction like none other and the community a sense of stability that it could not have achieved elsewhere.

In her memo, Ruthe chided my father for taking some time off -- albeit a much-needed rest -- from his newspaper responsibilities and she expressed her displeasure at the idea that he would make a habit of staying away from the office. Well, Ruthe, it is said that turnabout is fair play and you know me, I am as fair as they come. So, when are you going to stop playing hooky and come back to work?

As clearly as I can say it, we all miss you very much. We not only miss reading your sagacious thoughts and subtly written jabs to the midsection of the town's scoundrels, but we miss seeing you here. The Sun has grown into and out of five buildings -- we were even burned out of one -- since you first joined up and there has never been a time that just knowing you were sitting at your desk or walking through the newsroom didn't give all of us a sense of comfort and security. We always have known that as long as you were keeping an eye on us, we couldn't stray too far in the wrong direction.

That's why we need you to come back real soon. Sure, I know that time is catching up to all of us and that even a person of your youthful years needs to take a break from the action every so often. But this is getting a bit ridiculous. Ruthe, you are probably the only person at the Sun, besides my mother, who notices when I am not there. You even notice when I try to sneak past your office into mine so it looks like I have been there all day. That's a guilt-based habit I developed from the early days that I am having a difficult time trying to outgrow.

But now I am the one who shows up at work and sees right away that you aren't there. And it gives me the feeling that things just aren't right. Sure, I know that hospitals can take a lot out of you but you've always been tougher than that. Just because the docs are telling you to take it easy doesn't mean that you have to stop thinking and writing. If you can't get to the office every day, we'll understand. We won't like it but we'll figure out how to deal with your absence. But we won't let you get away without writing. Las Vegas needs and deserves to read your wisdom.

Ruthe, you know that there are very few people with your knowledge of Las Vegas. My mother says you are a walking encyclopedia of the community. For more than 50 years you have watched this town grow and participated in its maturation. And you are among the very few who can write that history in a way that people -- almost all of whom are newcomers to Las Vegas -- can appreciate and understand. So, as soon as you are ready, get back to your computer and start working again.

In the meantime, Mike O'Callaghan and I will try to cover for you. And you know how hard that will be. As one of the very first women in this community to pursue a successful career and raise a successful family you, more than most, understand how difficult it is for a man to step into your shoes. Mike has already committed an error or two doing what you do with your eyes closed and I, well, I'm now sneaking past Mike's office on my way into work. Some things never change!

And, what about my mother? Can you imagine how difficult it is for her every day when she comes to work and you aren't there? Who is going to fill her in on all the stories? Who is going to fill her in on all the political gamesplaying at City Hall or the County? And, dare I say it, who is going to fill her in on all the office intrigue? Since you have been gone, Barbara looks to me for that information so now I have to sneak past her office, too!

And what about your other responsibilities? There have been tens of thousands of Las Vegas children who have known the pleasure of a summer camp experience and there are hundreds more this year who will know the same fun and frolic because of the work you have done in making sure everyone who can contribute to the Sun's Summer Camp Fund does. Well, it is summertime and those kids need you and your experience. Cindy Robinette and Barbara Jacobs are good but you make them so much better.

And what about the Las Vegas Sun Youth Forum? You have made it the premier high school "town meeting" in the country and, even though Cindy has learned at your knee, there is so much more left to teach. And teaching is what you do best. By word, by deed and by the kind of example you continue to be you have taught us all how to be better people.

So, you see Ruthe, we just don't function very well down here without you. Sure, we'll try to get along while you are gone, but it is much easier knowing you are around. You have been our conscience and our moral compass for the last half of the 20th century and we need you back here as we head into the next millennium. I also know that you'd rather be here than anywhere else, too. That's why I haven't come over to your house to drag you back to work. I know that you'll come back here when you are good and ready and not one moment before. After all, why should you change now?

And, taking your lead, why should we change, either? We all need you at the Sun. This town and this newspaper are so much better places because you are with us, working and writing. And, after all is said and done, by just being Ruthe Deskin. And that is being a whole lot!