Hawaiian Tuesday meetings is one member short now. Our group is still waiting for the jet to pick us up to fly us where our Hawaiian attire fits in with the scenery! Now that Tim has so much “time on his hands”, he can make those arrangements for us. (Wait a minute---since he’s going to be working at Wal-Mart now, maybe he won’t have time?))

     All kidding aside, Tim has been a great boss to work for.  Not only a good friend, but

someone who we respect and admire. I told him there would be no Good-Byes. So—we

wish you the best, Tim.  See you in the funny papers!    

   Carolyn

Tim,

     It seems like we had always disagreed in the past, so I was leery of coming up here and working with you and taking over for you.  But I am very glad that I decided to do it.  I enjoyed working with you.  You taught me many things and always had advice on how to handle different situations.  You were also always trying to help me find 'the woman' for me, well, I am still working on that, but thanks for the advice.  It turned out that we agreed much more than we disagreed.  I got to know you a lot better and I really appreciate everything that you have done for me.

Chris

     My relationship with Tim has always been a good one.  It's always been one focused on business, so my opportunities to see him in amusing situations has been limited.  There was one time though, that he caught me off guard.  It was a Saturday and I was dispatching in Waterloo.  Mid-morning, this biker pulls up out in front of the office.  My first thoughts were, "Oh brother, who is this guy, and what is he coming to complain about.  The guy had a great-looking Harley, he was dressed in good leathers.  I assumed it was an off-work John Deere employee coming to complain about his concrete.  A big part of my job is handling complaints and this guy looked like the classic complainer that I run into on a regular basis.  You know, people you can never satisfy.   With the way his bike looked and the way he was dressed, I knew he had to be fussy.  I mean, he even knocked some of the dust off his bike before he came up the steps.  While he was getting off his bike and coming up the steps, I had a phone order to handle and before I knew it, this guy's standing at my counter.  I turn around and ask him "What can I help you with?"  Just as I finish my sentence, he takes off his helmet, and it's Tim.

     As with any relationship, business or otherwise, there are good and bad parts.  With Tim, the good far out weighs the bad.  I learned a great deal from him.  His ability to role play and help me see other perspectives.  His ability to stay calm, even when others are driving you nuts.  And, his priorities in terms of life.  I didn't always agree with him, but I always respected him.    Tim, good luck  in all your future endeavors

Mike Watson 

Tim & Genny,

Congratulations on your retirement and your future excursions on the two wheeler (bicycles?). Just a few thoughts on that; hopefully you won’t need rain suits, always make sure there is hard surface roads ahead, always keep the tank full, and wear your helmets.  Don’t look back on life.  Mark every year. Take a different vent and look forward to what life holds. So strap your selves to the Harley as securely as can be. You want to be up front to see what you can see.  You want the wind to blow in your face, as you move place to place.  If the ride gets bumpy , while your looking back, get strapped in and look ahead and you’ll be back on track. It’s all right to remember, that’s part of history, but up front’s where it’s happening, There’s so much mystery. The enjoyment of living , is not where we have been.  It’s looking ever forward, to another year and ten. It’s searching all the byways.  Never should you delay, for if you want to live your life you gotta get on the Harley.  It’s been great.

Larry Keller

     Tim always showed a lot of concern for his employees.  When I was in the hospital, he came by to see if I was OK.  When my mom passed away, he came to the funeral home.  It really meant a lot.  He was a real good boss. He always had time to talk to you no matter how busy he was.  He was a great help in solving a lot of different issues around the plant.

Al Streittmatter

Several years ago, Tim and I were partners on a 4 man best-shot team at the Manatt’s Open in Newton. We were at the last hole and we were ahead of our opponents by one stroke.  Our first two team members had dubbed their shots.  I then drove my shot into the water.  Tim looked at me and asked, “What do you want me to do”?  I replied, “God hates a coward.”  He shot, it went straight into the water and we lost to 4 Holcim Cement salesmen!  We had great fun!

Danny Brunscheon

     The first time I met Tim was when I worked in Oelwien.  LeRoy, the plant manager at the time, had left me in charge all by myself for the very first time.  Leroy wasn’t gone more than a half hour and everybody and their brother started calling for concrete.  It had gotten really crazy, really quick.  Of course, that is when Tim showed up!  I just knew he was looking at me and saying to himself, “This guy has no clue what he’s doing”! A couple years later, I was managing the Denver Plant.  I really appreciate the vote of confidence and will never forget that day!

     Years later I won $5 on the golf course in Newton from Tim.  I only play once a year or so.  This was a long shot and who ever got closest won.  Every one else was pulling out 8 or 9 irons.  I pull out a 3 iron and walk away with it!

     Best of luck!  You were one of the best people I have ever worked for.

Dale Ott

    Who Knew #4 Favorite Hobby: Shooting rifles, shotguns, handguns; Favorite Food: Steak; Family: Wife and two daughters whose names all start with the letter S; Pets: 3 Dogs, 3 Cats, 1 Rabbit, Birds, Ducks, Mice; Favorite Quote / Saying: You'll have that; Favorite Vacation Spot: Wis. Dells; Spends free time: Hunting, Fishing, Golf; Job: Shade Tree Mechanic; Describes self as: Closet perfectionist; Surprise info: I used to have long hair and a beard; When I was a kid, I drove muscle cars; If I were avegetable: potato; If I were a color: Red; If I could be in any movie that I wanted, I would play John Wayne in The Sands of Iwa Jima; Favorite Holiday: 4th of July; As a “Survivor” Tribe Member I would probably not be well liked by most of the Tribe Members; As a Fear Factor Contestant I would have the chance to Barf on T.V.