My friend, Jason Winslow

My friend, Jason Winslow

I first met Jason in August of 1968. I had just joined the Osbourne firm as a new financial planner. Jason had been assigned as my mentor. I learned later that he was actually five years older but, from the first time I met him, he seemed just like the brother I never had. In all the years I knew him, I never saw him upset. He was always in total control but also always pleasant to be around. He had a kind word for everyone and was always encouraging. He could have been a politician, but was too smart to waste his time at that exercise.

Now, in case you were beginning to get the wrong idea, he was also as tough as nails in his personal discipline and his expectations of those around him. However, he just had an aura about him that made you want to understand what he was saying and to adopt that as your position. He was very open to questions, loved to discuss issues, and appreciated being questioned about his stand. Along with that, however, I learned, as most others did as well, his mind was so far ahead of you, on what ever was being discussed that, if you wanted to seriously challenge his thinking, you needed to have done your homework, and done it well. If not, he would very quickly, and in very calm, reasoned terms, pick you apart on the facts and logic of your position. Even then, however, he made you want to feel good about having asked, even though it was clear you were wrong, most of the time. If you had new evidence, of course, that clearly added to the discussion, he was very ready to accept that, and add it to his bank of knowledge once he had confirmed it. Once he accepted that new information, it quickly became part of his set of information as well.

He was probably the smartest man I’ve ever known, in his own way. Notice, I said man. The smartest person might well be his wife, Karen. Rachel and I first met her at a firm mixer shortly after I met Jason. She was trained as a nurse, a good one, but I picked up early on that she could keep up with Jason in any conversation. She was always very low key, almost staying in the background. But, it was obvious they had long discussions about just about every topic that was likely to come up in conversation. She was well versed but kept in the background when he was taking the lead in a discussion. However, when she was the lead in a discussion, I was amazed to find he stayed in the background, as well. A truly amazing couple. I was proud to know them as close friends.

I am providing this background information on Jason and Karen Winslow because, over the years, our relationships have face several serious challenges. Knowing our mutual backgrounds is essential to understanding our relationships.

And that is how it went!