why kindness matters What inspires one of the most powerful business minds in the country to help motivate his city to be kinder? Editor’s Note: Robert D. Walter is the founder and retired Chairman of Dublin, Ohio-based Cardinal Health, Inc., a global
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or Bob Walter, kindness started with the example his father set. Throughout his life, he’s seen how kind acts gain momentum, manifesting good in ways that might not be expected. Now Walter focuses intentionally on spreading what he describes as contagious kindness. He’s invested in major initiatives such as establishing a professorship at another university to help develop empathy in doctors, but he’s equally confident that everyday actions quickly cause kindness to multiply. For example, Walter recently helped a stranger — a father with severe disability issues — by driving him in a golf cart so he could follow his son at a golf tournament. As it turns out, that simple act meant the father was able to make it to the 17th hole to witness his son’s first hole in one. A simple act of kindness turned into something much bigger. Otterbein President Kathy Krendl recently sat down with Bob Walter to talk about kindness, Walter’s hopes and Otterbein’s role in the kindness initiative he’s started with The Columbus Foundation known as Kind Columbus. Kathy: Why does kindness matter to you? Bob: As I think back on my life, I think about how my father lifted me up and I am reminded that my father is probably the most kind person that I’ve ever met. I saw the effect he had on other people, including me. I think kindness is important to me because it was such an important quality in my father.
provider of healthcare products and services. Walter, who served as CEO for 37 years, founded the company at the age of 26.
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| Ot t e r be i n To w e r s | Fall 2017
Kathy: When you think about your father, what memory comes to mind as demonstrating that kindness to you or others?