I have worked with a gentleman named Tim Wolter over my past 6 months at Donaldson. Today (Friday) was his retirement day, after 39 years! That's crazy, do I have to work that long, I pray not. Tim is an amazingly nice guy and we have worked hand in hand every day. The hand in hand joke is funnier if you know him, because not only has he give 39 years of service, but also has given his right hand pointer finger from the last knuckle up! Nothing like a good press accident joke… it’s a manufacturing thing. We wear our maimings like a badge of honor.  

I asked my office partner in crime, Sandra, if it was a good idea to make him an office of his own using his cube and a bit of cardboard we have around the shop. Sandra, of course, egged me on (really she just said yes) so I ended up staying late last night to construct my masterpiece. The problem was I couldn’t get Tim to leave. I finally bid him farewell for the evening at 8:45! Luckily I had everything "prebuilt" so all I had to do was drag it in and tape it in place. I then plastic wrapped his chair. That damn chair would sink down every couple of days and he would have to turn it over and spin the hell out of the base for like 2 minutes to get it back up to the correct level. He never wanted a new one, despite our asking. Maria (2nd shift supervisor) helped me blow up and transfer 72 balloons to fill up the castle upon completion. (Side note: use an air hose to blow up balloons, its way easier. See I told you I'm full of useful advice!)

The rest of the office crew always comes in earlier than I do so they helped with the decorations. Tim was shocked and really loved going in and out of his new door. When asked how I thought up this idea, I said I just thought this is what you guys do when somebody retires, its fun. Sandra turns to me and states, "this is the first time anyone did anything like this." What?! My partner in crime totally set me up; I figured this was somewhat commonplace! Everyone enjoyed signing his castle and he has plans to take it home with him in the morning. I’m heading now off to hoist a beer with Tim and the rest of the crew. Overall it’s been a good day. Cheers!