Seeing the value of retirees
After retiring from their full-time careers, three local men have found themselves in the workforce again on a part-time basisBy Cindy Votruba
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MARSHALL - Whether it was out of sheer boredom, wanting to give back to a community that's given them so much or just a way to be around people again, local retirees are finding a way to re-enter the workforce.
Even if it's on a part-time basis.
After they had retired from business or law enforcement, Jim Zmeskal, Tony Doom, and Bob Cool, all of Marshall, have since started working part-time jobs.
Doom is at Hy-Vee, Zmeskal is a custodian at Holy Redeemer School and Cool works at True Value.
"We've got some more time on our hands, and we're giving back to the community," Doom said.
And current business owners and managers are happy to have the retirees on board.
"They still have a lot of energy left, and a good work ethic," said Hy-Vee manager Tom Ries.
Bob Sternke, assistant manager at True Value, said he's even looking to hire a couple more retirees soon.
"These guys are great to have on the floor, they know everybody," Sternke said. "They know what customer service really means."
After spending more than 40 years with his own supply business, Doom was approached by Ries to work as a customer service specialist.
"(He said) 'you know Tony, I've got a plan for you,'" Doom said.
Cool was also approached at a grocery store.
"I was grocery shopping at Hy-Vee and Bob Sternke came up behind me," Cool said.
Cool said Sternke told him that "according to our records, you're in your third year of retirement."
Cool said he wasn't sure about returning to work, but he'd think about it.
"He (Sternke) told me he'd call me back in three days," Cool said.
So Cool discussed the opportunity with his wife.
"My wife (Trixie) and I talked about it, and she knew too that I missed the interaction with the people," Cool said.
Cool said he told Sternke he was going to be limited in his availability.
"They were pretty flexible," Cool said. "It worked out that when I wanted to work worked out for them."
Cool works 16 hours a week at True Value,
"I get to see people I would not get to see otherwise," Cool said. "The main reason I'm there is to make sure the customers are taken care of."
Ries said Doom was the right candidate for the job.
"He's been around a long time and has a lot of contacts," Ries said. "I think it was a perfect fit to have him."
Doom said he's not a greeter, per se, but he also does special projects. roaming the aisles, helping the customers out and taking their suggestions.
"Any time I can work as a PR person, work with the public..." Doom said.
Doom said he works about 17 hours a week at Hy-Vee.
"For Tony, it was something to do, and for me, it was the right person for the spot," Ries said.
Zmeskal retired from the Minnesota State Patrol after 27-1/2 years almost two years ago. He said he did nothing for about six months and "that's enough nothing."
So he went to Holy Redeemer School and started helping out with the shop class.
"I went over there mostly out of boredom," Zmeskal said. "and I got both my kids there. I was looking for something to do."
Zmeskal's children are in fourth and seventh grade at Holy Redeemer School.
Soon after he started at the school, a custodial job opened at HRS. Zmeskal said he threw his hat in the ring, and he was hired. He works 30 hours a week. Zmeskal has worked at Holy Redeemer School for more than a year, cleaning bathrooms, helping with plumbing and other tasks.
"I work six hours a day, almost a full day," Zmeskal said.
