Tuesday, August 12, 2014
At the recommendation of Ron Steinquist I paid a call on Mr. Georgantas at his Shorewood jewelry store about six years ago. I had six pocket watches of varying quality and worth, but all high in sentimental value to our family. At our first meeting he was courteous, quiet, very professional, and just a little distant. I gave him the first of my six watches to repair.
A few days later the watch was ready and I went to retrieve it and to give him the second one. He was open to a bit of conversation, and we told each other of our families and a little history. I addressed him as Mr. Georgantas and he addressed me as Mr. Nachtrieb.
Some time later I visited him with the third watch. We had more conversation and a bit of laughter.
After about a week he called to say the third watch was ready. My wife answered. He identified himself as Clarence and asked for Bob. When I arrived at the store I asked that he adjust he speed of one of the watches. He invited me to the back room containing a wonderland of tools, machinery, watch parts, springs, and general clutter. He showed me how to regulate the watch's speed. We talked about aging, retirement, and keeping healthy. He rhapsodized about repairing watches, finding parts for old rare ones, and combining an enjoyable hobby with a business.
In the course of my six watches getting repaired or maintained, we became friends. I visited him when a watch needed fixing, which old watches frequently do, which means I saw him perhaps three or four times a year with one or another of my six old treasures. He would buzz me into the store with a "Hi, Bob!" and I'd respond "Hi, Clarence!" and we would have a very pleasant half hour shooting the breeze between other customers coming and going.
My watches didn't need his attention for the last half dozen months, and so I did not realize he had retired, and was shocked to see his death notice. It is too late now, but I wish I had gone to Shorewood just to visit even if a watch hadn't needed fixing. I'm sure my watches will miss him. I know I do.
