Viking Remembers Liston

From Fred Carl:  President of Viking Range Corporation

It was one year ago today that we lost our beloved friend and colleague, Liston.  For those of us who worked closely with Liston, very few days go by without thinking about him, wishing for his valued input and wise counsel, and longing for his smile, great sense of humor and wonderful outlook on life.  If anyone could brighten your day, it was Liston. 

Liston has left a huge void at Viking in so many ways but he also left an extraordinary legacy that will endure for years to come.  I encourage you to visit the section of our website that is dedicated to Liston, http://www.vikingrange.com/consumer/global/content.jsp?id=cat14180043, to remind you of all the many special, unique qualities Liston had and how he made such a meaningful and lasting impact on so many.  I also encourage you to pay Liston a visit at the columbarium of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Greenwood, where Liston’s ashes are interned.

One of the earliest jobs Liston had when he joined KitchenAid was starting a training department and developing a product training program for KitchenAid.  Under Liston’s leadership, KitchenAid’s training program went on to become legendary.  Those of you who worked with and knew Liston well were aware of the tremendous amount of importance he placed on training.  He considered product knowledge, preparation for a presentation, and making an informative and exciting sales pitch one of the most important aspects of sales and marketing.

Training was near and dear to Liston’s heart and a big part of his career in the major appliance industry.  It is therefore very fitting, and gives me great pleasure to announce on this date, that Viking’s training center, at the corner of Main Street and Front Street in downtown Greenwood, from this day forward will be known as the Liston P. Durden Training Center.  Nothing could be more appropriate than to name one of the industry’s most respected training facilities for Liston.

In addition, the building that houses the Viking training center has been named the Durden Building, giving Liston a lasting presence in the little town where he made such a big impression.  The Durden Building was originally a Ford dealership, dating back to the early part of the last century.  Being a serious student of history and an authority on so many topics of history, it is very appropriate for the building named for Liston to be a historic one.  Please see the attached photos of the Liston P. Durden Training Center and the Durden Building.

Please join me in remembering Liston on this day and all that he contributed to Viking and to so many of us in so many ways.  Let’s also continue to keep in our prayers Liston’s wife, Brenda, and his daughters, Elizabeth and Sarah.  Liston continues to be dearly missed but he remains a big part of Viking and always will be.

Fred