More times than not, it was a mystery to me what that man sitting in a Des Moines Council seat was thinking with his ever ready smile, a look of serenity and a head of fantastic white hair that most men would covet.

Yet, when he felt strongly on issues and someone pushed those buttons, most folks knew they better know what they were talking about or "fir-git-about-it."

In his uniqueness, Tom Mannard is also the first and only person I know of in Des Moines with an official day named in his remembrance.

Mayor Bob Sheckler has officially declared every March 9th, the day of Tom's death, to be "Tom Mannard Day. " Accepting the award was his wife Judy Mannard and family.

We think we know people; still, I mostly think we don't. Some are harder than others to know, me among them. We folks kind of like to protect our privacy and yet love being among people as well.

Sometimes people need time for the most important and real things in this life, our family and friends. And sometimes we just need to be alone to refuel our soul and crank-up the body to keep pace with our dreams and goals.

Often I think Tom Mannard fit this profile.

Having served on the city council over 20 years, he became a very public figure, yet he also cherished his privacy.

So, who is this man behind the "official man" with a day named for him?

Born in New Jersey, his home was within blocks of Frank Sinatra's childhood home.

A young man of ambitions, Tom's first jobs included Irish Setter walker, local drug store helper, flower nursery employee and wooden cigar box assembly line plant worker.

Later, Tom worked nights at Western Electric while attending college during the day, specializing in electronics and engineering.

All that led to enlistment in the U.S. Air Force, service in the Vietnam War, and responsibility for a B-52's navigation system.

Yet the most life-changing event in his life was a blind date arranged by a military buddy.

Enter lovely nurse Judith Hall, who captured his heart.

"I knew I was going to marry her, right then," Tom would say.

He was not about to let a romance like this get away. Judy and Tom wrote to each other regularly when separated for nearly three years.

And in those days we used real pens and ink - no e-mail or shortcuts.

In 1952, Tom saw the West Coast and vowed to never leave. They married in 1954 and moved to Des Moines in 1960.

History tells Tom's city council service story on engraved plaques throughout this city.

After 34 years as an engineer with Boeing, he hung up his hat and enjoyed trips with Judy and time with their three children and families-- sons Mark and John, daughter Audrey and eight grandchildren.

The closest things to his heart were his family, church and the lovely Nurse Judy for 54 years.

Their favorite song was "Stardust," with music composed by talented Hoagy Carmichael in 1927 and lyrics added by Mitchell Parish in 1929.

As memory serves me, the first and last line lyrics are: "Sometimes I wonder why I spend the lonely night dreaming of a song, the melody haunts my reverie and I am once again with you. Though I dream in vain, in my heart it will remain, my stardust melody, the memory of love's refrain."

"We danced to that song many times," Judy recalls. Widows/widowers know it's in our "stardust times of memories" that we again dance with our love.

When Tom learned his life was short, he took charge in planning as he had in living. With him all the way were his wife and children providing lovingly care.

So truth-be-known, the man behind the "official man" of Tom Mannard was a softie for love, kids, pets and people.

Sitting in that council seat, he was no different. His family and church were his life; Des Moines was his home.

March 9th is officially Tom's Day.

Today's Thought: "One of the deepest secrets of life is - all that is worth doing is what we do for others". Lewis Carroll