Janklow Had Undeniable Strength Of Leadership

SIOUX FALLS, SD - Abbott said when Janklow was a teacher at USD he made students want to learn, and he will always remember him as a great leader and a wonderful teacher.

"I was around when he was governor and I was, I really enjoyed watching his political career, we weren't in the same party of course but I always appreciated his friendship," University of South Dakota President Jim Abbott said.

Abbott visited Janklow last night at Doughtrey Hospice.

He felt it was something he had to do. 

"I knew I couldn't but somehow I just had to go, I just had to tell his family that I'm thinking of him and I knew it had to be near, I'm just devastated," Abbott said.

Abbott saw Janklow's wife and brother he knew it was a bittersweet time for them.

"You know they were saddened but I was glad that they all go to be with him and I'm sure they were too, those last few days," Abbott said.

Abbott knows the Janklow family will continue their father's legacy.

"They are a strong family and they'll continue being a strong family," Abbott said.

Going forward Abbott knows Janklow was a controversial figure but he hopes people remember the true qualities of the former governor, teacher and family man. 

"What I hope people remember is that his leadership qualities. You could love him or not, and you could be against him or for him but you could deny the strength of his leadership when he decided he was going make something happen he made it happen," Abbott said.

Abbott feels his qualities are what will live on forever.

"That's his legacy, a legacy of significant leadership," Abbott said.

Its clear Abbott was touched by Janklow but it was even more apparent to Abbott that Janklow really touched the lives of everyone he met.