.124 Randy Bretz

In 2014, I traveled to Whistler, Canada for a TED conference where I saw many TED talks, had some delicious food and wine, and met the uniquely compassionate gentleman that is Randy Bretz. This didn’t happen by accident. In fact, I had been encouraged by tons of different TEDx’ers to go and find him — “You both would get along,” they would say. I found him in a lounge area one day and struck up a conversation. Two hours later, I knew I would be forever grateful to have met him and to call him a friend.

Randy is the former longtime organizer of TEDxLincoln (in Nebraska), but more than that, he is so clearly a staple of his community, both in NE and in the TEDx family, due to his incomparable kindness and empathy. He’s wise with his words, young at heart, and capable of building friendships with people all across the globe (literally), no matter the difference in culture, language, or social norms. He sees people for who they are and he treats them with the utmost dignity and respect. Randy is an incredible listener; when I met, well, ambushed him, I spent nearly the entire first hour blabbing and Randy listened, asked questions, and made me feel like I was the only person in the room that mattered, which is comical considering who attends a TED conference. But Randy truly is just a wonderful example of what it means to spend your life being kind, considerate, and making space for great people, ideas, and growth.

I also want to note that Randy went out of his way to tell my own parents about what he thought of me (fortunately, good things!). Randy really is a gem of a human being, always looking out for others, and always trying to do and be better in whatever way he can. I learned so much from Randy, regarding ambition, patience, and diligence, from that first conversation and I still glean helpful tidbits to this day.

Randy, thank you so very much for listening to me that day and for always making time for me and those you care about. Thank you for being a role model and mentor to myself and so many others, and thank you for always making us smile and laugh. Thank you for your acute attention to the details and for your incredible memory of those same specifics, altogether proving that you care so, so much. Thank you for all of the remarkable work that you have done through TEDxLincoln and beyond, and thank you for always being so selfless and giving. You remind us all of how we can be better. I’m so grateful to know you Randy, and I long for the next time I can see you in person! Thank you, Randy, for being you.

-BD