Kindred Spirits…

There are many who knew Robin Coulter Lapaseotes better than I, but there are few that admired her more.  A trail blazer and mentor, Robin lived for her family and her beloved Coulter Ranch.

The center of her life…

Robin spoke from her heart with a brutal honesty that earned her my respect from our very first encounter.  She believed in living life to the fullest, determined to make the most out of every day.  Robin likely accomplished more in her 56 years than most do in 90.  Perhaps that is why God chose to take her last week in a tragic accident that has left her family, her community and the Nebraska beef family in shock. 

Robin demanded hard work from those around her.  She possessed just enough humor to soften the unbending stubborn streak that made her uniquely Robin.  Our lives were separated by close to 200 miles and many individual responsibilities with our families and our livestock, but I enjoyed tremendously the times that our paths crossed.

It was a true joy to bounce ideas off of such a savvy and bold contemporary — the fact that she also had the perspective of a woman made those times even more special.  My favorite time with Robin was almost a year ago when she and I participated in a day long women’s mentoring seminar for students at the University of Nebraska Engler Entrepreneurship Program.

Three Kindred Spirits sitting at the head table hoping to impart some “wisdom”…

Alongside Ann Brunz, Robin and I spent the day mentoring young women who wanted to make their lives in agriculture.  The three of us were kindred spirits as we shared the joys and challenges of being a woman in a traditionally male business.  Robin’s advice for the students was simple:

Life will test you, what’s done is done, move forward with confidence.

I thought of those words as I watched her children at the funeral service on Saturday — battling the grief and shock but knowing deep down that their mom would be anxious that they accept “what’s done is done” — remember what she taught them — and, most especially, that they would carry on with confidence.

Robin and her husband Pete. My favorite quote from the funeral, “It’s really hard to tell Pete ‘No’, unless your name is Robin.”

Costa, Nicole, Jake and Cassie:  Robin prepared you well.  She believed in you and a part of her will remain with you always.  Follow your dreams and continue to build your lives in a search for greatness.