Thursday, July 11, 2024
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Spreading Kindness in Honor of David B. Assadi:
Seven years ago, I was in a tough place in my life. Alone in Florida striving to get back home to Wisconsin, it seemed impossible to do without a job lined up. I began looking into jobs at Lockheed Martin but applied with little hope.
Then one day, my phone rang. On the other end was David. Little did I know that phone call would change and arguably save my entire life.
He was calling from Lockheed Martin and told me I was selected to interview in Milwaukee. His kindness was inspiring and he transformed my hopelessness into excitement. Instantly, David became my advocate, constantly checking in and supporting me throughout the interview process. After I got the offer, he pushed to get me the best one he could, and even got me relocation assistance which made my move home a reality.
David brought me home and is the reason I have the life I do today.
I’ve been grateful for him every single day since that call seven years ago.
We have kept in touch over the years, sharing updates and checking in with one another. Every time we talked, he spoke with so much pride about his wife, kids and even his Weimaraners. You could hear him smiling when he talked about his job, but gosh, nothing in the world meant more to him than his family.
David would say often that he knew God put him here to help others and that he planned to do just that every single day. As proven by his 28K LinkedIn connections, it is obvious he lived that mission to the fullest and made an impact everywhere he went, on everyone he met, helping anyone who was lucky enough to cross his path, myself included.
David's integrity was also unmatched - he was never afraid to stand up or speak up – even if it meant risking his reputation to do the right thing.
After the RIF news, I reached out to him immediately thinking that he could impart some guidance and wisdom. I pressed send on the message and within seconds my phone rang. It was David stating adamantly, “I don’t want to see you leave the company.” In that moment, he jumped into action, following up on every opportunity I applied for and checking in on me regularly. Once again, he became a beacon of light during a dark time.
Last week, I learned that David passed away suddenly in his sleep. My heart is shattered for his family, colleagues, and everyone who had the privilege of knowing him. David’s unwavering commitment to helping others made the world a better place, and his kindness touched so many. David is who brought me home. David is the reason I have the life I do today.
Today, in his honor, I challenge you to do something nice for someone, whether a stranger, a loved one, or even someone you dislike. Reach out to someone struggling, make a difference in their day – who knows, maybe you will end up making a difference in their life. Let's all continue his legacy by spreading love and kindness just like he did.
Thank you David, for bringing me home, for everything....
