A quick internet search of the term “legendary” will reveal this among the possible definitions: “remarkable enough to be famous; very well known.” Unfortunately, our industry has lost another member who was very well known, very well respected, and very well liked.
Remembering Dwight Hikel
Dwight Hikel of Shelter Systems Limited in Westminster, MD passed away in February, and there is no doubt that our industry has said goodbye to a pioneer whose work and success will last long into the future. Ask anyone who knew or knew of him, they will reply that he was many things: smart, generous, committed . . . the list goes on and on.
Many of his peers were able to celebrate his success in combination with his family at the impressive 40th Anniversary of Shelter Systems Limited last fall. As Carl Schoening reported in his article in our October issue:
[In September, we] attended to the 40th Anniversary Celebration of Shelter Systems in Westminster, MD. We saw a lot of longtime friends and met a few new ones. Dwight, Joe, and Linda really know how to celebrate. There were government officials in attendance along with Shelter employees and invited guests from all over the country. It is a remarkable feat for any business to be that successful for that many years. We talked about it, and there is less than a handful that have been around that long, been profitable, and still maintain the same ownership. My most sincere congratulations to Shelter Systems. Being invited to that event is humbling. Shelter is a very special business. They now have third generation employees working and moving the business forward. It is so unheard of and rightly recognized by the Maryland Secretary of Commerce. I sat front row as Dwight gave a tearful, moving speech about how he managed to get into the business and the people who supported his efforts (many were in the audience). But, Dwight recognized that his part was overshadowed by all of the great people who work for him and have worked for him in the past. Dwight called them the “Starting Lineup” and said without them he couldn’t have made it. The commitment of everyone who has been associated with Shelter Systems made them the incredibly successful and resilient company they are. Certainly Dwight, Linda, and Joe made all of the pieces fit together and worked really hard to make Shelter what it is, but I thought it very gracious for Dwight to recognize his employees for their efforts. That is the kind of people we have in this industry and what has been the greatest pleasure for me.
A Lasting Impression
Moving forward, it’s good to know that many people will continue to benefit from the hard work and dedication Dwight brought to all of his endeavors. And that is what truly makes him a legend. His success isn’t measured by a dollar sign attached to his bank account but by the lasting impression he has left with everyone around him. It is the success of a very good man.