by J. Brooks Terry
Staff Writer
Sidney Engelhardt has earned the right to relax. An employee at the Duval County Courthouse for nearly 20 years, the now-retired bailiff’s life was recently turned upside down following a routine medical exam.
“I went in for my annual stress test and failed,” he said. “They told me they saw something they didn’t like and the next thing I knew, I was going into the operating room.”
That autumn day, Engelhardt underwent open heart surgery, had a tracheotomy and his gall bladder was removed. From there, he was taken to the Intensive Care Unit where he remained unconscious for 36 days.
“I woke up in almost like a cage, and I started to panic. I didn’t know where I was,” said Engelhardt. “When I found out how long I was out, I couldn’t believe it. People told me they came to see me and I honestly can’t remember any of them. It was so strange.”
A former Navy commander who fought in World War II and Korea, Engelhardt moved to Florida after meeting and marrying “a Jacksonville girl” while still in the service over 50 years ago.
“She really wanted me to come home and be a good husband,” he said. “I couldn’t argue with that, so I retired from the Navy and made Jacksonville my home.”
Working “odd jobs” for several years that held little interest for him, in 1984 Engelhardt decided to try his hand at something a little different.
“Someone suggested that I try to get a job as bailiff,” he said. “It sounded like a good idea to me and I’ve never regretted my decision to do it.”
While at the courthouse, Engelhardt worked for many judges who are still there today including County Court judges John Moran, Sharon Tanner and James Ruth.
“I loved it there,” he said. “I loved meeting people and helping them when I could. It was a very people oriented job. That was my favorite part.”
And the court staff loved Engelhardt.
“He was just a great bailiff,” said Moran. “He took his work here very seriously and with a great deal of pride.”
Moran recalled how the 84-year-old bailiff broke up potentially physical altercations more than once.
“I would say to him, ‘You need to be careful Sidney, you could get hurt,’ but he wasn’t scared of anything,” said Moran. “I really miss him and I wish he would come back.”
Others feel the same way.
“He was so accommodating when he was with us,” said Judicial Assistant Shirley Haag. “If you ever asked him to do anything at all he would simply say, ‘I’d be proud to.’ That was his favorite expression. He always had something positive to say. He’s a real delight.”
Engelhardt was able to use the job to bring him closer to his son.
“He’s an attorney out in Texas,” he said. “I could call him and we would talk about cases for hours. It was a lot of fun and I learned so much from that.”
Last September, Engelhardt paid a visit to his physician for a yearly check-up when he was given some bad news.
“I didn’t feel sick or stressed at all when I went in,” said Engelhardt. “I was working up until the last day at the courts and it didn’t feel like anything was wrong with me. I was completely shocked.”
Though surprised by the unsettling news, Engelhardt said he never doubted his doctor’s instincts.
“As a military man, I have a firm belief in doctors and all the good they can do,” he said. “If I didn’t, I know I wouldn’t be alive today. I feel blessed”
Now, “on the mend,” and taking life slowly, Engelhardt is enjoying this new chapter.
“Just because I’ve been sick doesn’t mean that I have to stay in my room all day,” he said. “I don’t believe in that and I don’t need a reason to feel lonely or sorry for myself. I get a little tired every now and then, but I like to move around and stay as active as I can. I like to exercise. There are people much worse off than me.”
To stay active, Engelhardt’s been doing his share of socializing and volunteer work around the Carriage Club retirement community. If he had his way, he would go back to the courts tomorrow.
“When I got out of the hospital they called me to try to get me back,” he said. “I told them I’m using a walker now and we realized it wouldn’t work, but I still have my hopes. I’d love to go back. Just because I’m supposed to be married to a walker doesn’t mean I can’t move. Don’t tell my doctors, but lately I’ve been dancing.”