ROBERT E. PICKUP: A Remembrance

Robert E. Pickup, executive director of the Citizens Research Council of Michigan from 1959 to 1979, died on February 20, 1998, at his home on Marco Island, Florida. He was 83. What follows is a tribute to a man of intellect, principle, compassion, and gritty determination.

"Define it as you will, the right of participation in government that is effectively possessed by relatively few of this earth's people, even today, is a treasure of inestimable value that must be both prized and constantly exercised lest it wither away."

These words, spoken in 1972, distill Bob Pickup's idea of the goal of the profession he served so well for over forty years: Citizen participation in the affairs of government is essential to democracy. And, as Bob saw it, accurate, objective, and independent governmental research arms the citizen with the facts needed to participate effectively. More than carefully prepared tables, charts, and reports, it is an ingredient in the recipe for an enduring democracy.

A great teacher, he was able to convey this sense of the mission of governmental research to a generation of researchers who, whether they remained in the field or went on to other careers, kept the flame alive, continuing a legacy that had been passed on to him early in his career.

The quintessential New Englander, Bob Pickup was born on November 2, 1914, at Rochester, New Hampshire, was educated in the public schools of Fall River, Massachusetts, and was graduated summa cum laude in political science from Brown University in Rhode Island, where he received a Phi Beta Kappa key.

His strong New England accent was not the only evidence of his roots. Yankee self-reliance learned at an early age proved an invaluable ally in a life-long struggle with the effects of polio contracted when he was thirteen.

His working career got off to a fast start. His efforts on a study of taxation helped the Providence Journal earn a Pulitzer honorable mention in 1937.

He entered the field of governmental research, in which he would spend the next 43 years, in 1936 with the Providence Governmental Research Bureau and by 1943 had become its executive director. In 1948, he moved to Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, to head up the Central Division of the Pennsylvania Economy League.

While in Providence, he married Winifred Scollens on August 17, 1942. Bob believed firmly in the importance of family, and it showed, not only in a loving 55-year marriage to Winnie replete with children (Carol and Robert Jr.) and grandchildren, but in his insistence to his staff that family matters were of highest concern.

In May 1958, Loren B. Miller, executive director of CRC since 1944, met an untimely death and a nationwide search was launched to find his successor. Rich-ard A. Ware, former CRC assistant director, was loaned to the Research Council by the Relm Foundation to help guide the selection process. Ware, who had known Bob since 1941, recalls that he had become "a national leader in the citizen governmental research movement."

Bob was the runaway choice in the selection process and became CRC executive director in January 1959. When he left Pennsylvania, the Wilkes-Barre Times Leader lamented the loss of "a good citizen and good neighbor" who had produced many "gratifying results" through his research.

Under his direction, CRC undertook a long series of significant projects, including a major analysis of the proposed Michigan Constitution in 1962, initiation of the biennial Outline of the Michigan Tax System, papers on governmental organization in Southeast Michigan, a series on financing Michigan public elementary-secondary education, studies of Wayne County government and the Oakland County Road Commission, a project that resulted in uniform local government budgeting in Michigan, and staff work for the Michigan Task Force on Medicaid and Health Care Costs.

Widely respected by his peers, Bob served as president of the Governmental Research Association in 1949-50 and received his profession's highest honor, the Gruenberg Award, in 1980.

At his retirement in 1979, the Board of Directors and Board of Trustees of CRC praised Bob's "professional competence, dedication, and personal integrity" and noted that "his outstanding leadership and tireless efforts have contributed greatly to achieving our objectives of providing more efficient, economical, and responsible government for the citizens of Michigan."

But he was more than a tireless researcher. Perhaps the word that best defined Bob Pickup was "gentleman." He was gracious and at ease with corporate leaders and file clerks alike. He bore his ills with equanimity and always exuded good humor. At the same time, there was an inner strength and devotion to purpose that made it clear that he would not waver on matters of principle. As an executive, he was able to criticize the work of his staff in a way that made the offender acutely aware of the error--and yet build morale at the same time. As one CRC alumnus recalls.

I learned from him in the same way that I learned from my boot camp instructor. I smile now as I recall how his principles translated into the most excruciating reviews of my work that I have ever encountered. I am deeply grateful to Bob for those early experiences.

A Personal Note by Earl M. Ryan, CRC President

Bob Pickup brought me on board CRC in September 1967 as a rookie researcher. He told me then, "You're never going to get rich in governmental research, so you may as well have some fun." Although I did not completely understand him at first, he helped me in innumerable ways to find the "fun" in this line of work. Part of the fun comes from pride in the mission of governmental research; part comes from uncovering problems in government and stirring the pot until they are solved; and part comes from the opportunity to associate with individuals who share the passion. I have a hard time thinking of a better--or more fun--way of making a living.

In the years following his retirement, I have had numerous opportunities to get into trouble of one sort or another. I often asked myself what Bob Pickup would do in a similar situation. If I didn't know, I would call him and ask. He always gave my problems thoughtful consideration, but he seldom told me what to do, instead pointing the way so that I could figure it out for myself. Always the mentor.

I know the temptation to call him for advice will strike me frequently in the years to come. But I also know.

In acting as a mentor for a whole generation of those concerned with governmental research, he conveyed a body of principles, a sense of mission that provided valuable guideposts even after he was no longer active. "He was," as one of his long-time colleagues put it, "the conscience in governmental reform."

Bob maintained that governmental reform could come about only as a result of informed debate on the issues. In summarizing the role of the Citizens Research Council of Michigan and the governmental research movement generally, he said

Remembering Bob Pickup
By Robert L. Queller

(Bob Queller was a major part of CRC from 1951 to 1994. He was research director under Bob Pickup and succeeded him as executive director in 1979. This is how he remembers his "boss" of nearly twenty-one years.)

Bob Pickup was my boss, leader, mentor, and friend. Having said that up front, Bob would probably have advised me not to write about him because I can't be objective and factual. While Bob's advice was always sound, this time I think I'll ignore it.

Before he came to the Research Council, I had known Bob by his outstanding reputation in the field of governmental research, but my only personal contact had been at professional meetings. During the next two decades, I learned that not only was his eminent professional reputation well deserved, but that he was a remarkable human being as well.

Bob Pickup was unique. He had a rare combination of intelligence, knowledge, insight, commitment, conviction, compassion, sensitivity, and personal warmth that made him a superb leader. Bob was able to nurture, educate, motivate, and inspire the staff of CRC by his own example. He constantly challenged all of us not only to do our best, but to continually raise our sights. None of the staff will ever forget our research review sessions (often in the evening, so we wouldn't be interrupted), when Bob would critique what we hoped was a final draft of a report. Bob was always able to make constructive suggestions in a gentle manner that focused on the heart of the issues. After we went back to the drawing board once again, the result was a better research product and a great learning experience for us.

Bob worked very effectively with the directors, trustees, and supporters of the Research Council—an extremely distinguished group of Michigan citizens. Their caliber and commitment to CRC was a tribute to Bob's leadership and his ability to inspire others. Similarly, Bob was respected and admired by the several publics served by CRC—elected and appointed public officials, civic groups, the media, and the public at large. In the twenty years I worked for Bob, and in the almost twenty years since, I never met anyone who disliked him. He was universally respected, admired, and personally liked, even by those who might disagree on a specific issue.

Michigan is a better place as a result of Bob Pickup's devotion to the public good and all of the citizens of Michigan, whether they know it or not, are indebted to him.