March 29, 2024

Langreck: Gone, but not forgotten

Ever since I can remember, writing was always the one subject in school that came easily to me, and it seemed I could write a two-page paper with ease, but put a worksheet of basic fractions in front of me and I would instantly start to hyperventilate.

I have struggled over the past several weeks to write this very blog and have even erased it several times and thought about not even writing it several other times.

However, I decided that no matter if I can’t find the exact words I am looking for, this blog needs to be written to honor the memory of an outstanding individual who was taken from the world too soon.

On Jan. 6, the small farming town near where I grew up suffered a devastating loss when a tragic well collapse claimed the life of a dedicated member of the community.

Doug Abney was killed when the well he was digging on a property he owned with his son, Dougie, and another member of the community collapsed and quickly began to fill up with water.

Dougie, as well as the other individual who was down in the well at the time of the collapse, tried every effort to uncover Doug, who was buried in soil from the collapse, and get him out of the well before he had to make what I’m sure was the toughest decision of his life — to get out of the well before it was too late and he lost his life, as well.

I have known the Abney family for years, and there are several important milestones in my life where a member of the Abney family was present, many of them being Doug himself.

One event in particular that I remember was one of the first field days I ever covered as a member of the AgriNews staff back in 2012.

It was a grazing conference in rural Indiana. I can’t remember where exactly, but I do recall it being more than a two-hour drive from my house.

I’m not ashamed to admit that I was nervous because I was young back then, fresh out of college and wanting to make a difference with my writing.

Well, long story short, I got lost, and by the time I finally found the location of the field day, I was almost an hour late.

I walked in, and there were probably 200 people there, many of which turned to look at me as I tried to find a seat without making a scene, which I was failing at – when, suddenly, I see a hand gesturing toward an empty chair besides them and I look and see a familiar face, Doug.

I made a beeline toward the chair, sat down with a great sigh of relief and quickly began taking notes.

At the first break we had, I thanked Doug numerous times and said I couldn’t believe I knew someone here.

For much of the rest of the field day, Doug made small talk with me and made sure I knew how to get back on to the main road when I left and knew the best way to head home.

He was truly a friend of the Indiana agriculture industry and will be greatly missed by all. My thoughts and prayers go out to his wife, children and family.