Terry Mertz retires
Capital Electric - April 1, 2011
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The oak book shelf in Terry's office is just one of the many projects Terry has built as a hobby woodworker. He will likely hand-craft many more projects, and toys for his grandchildren, following his retirement. |
When Terry Mertz visited Capital Electric's headquarters in October 1976, he didn't think working for the cooperative was an option. Having just completed a three-year stint with the Army, he was looking for an employer to punch his unemployment card to keep the money coming in while he looked for permanent work. Del Warren, office manager at the time, had other ideas.
The co-op was planning to hire a full-time warehouse person for the first time, so Del asked Terry if he would like the job. When Terry accepted the position, it was the start of an almost 35-year co-op career for the Tappen native.
The warehouse position didn't last long for Terry. Two years later he became an apprentice lineman and spent the next 28 years helping to keep the power on for co-op consumers. In his first few years as a lineman, Terry was part of the overhead line construction crew that set poles and built lines for the system. Being a hands-on type of guy, Terry says he appreciated this part of his job the most. He also enjoyed the maintenance and repair aspects of the job.
He remembers, "One winter McClusky was hit by a hard winter storm and the overhead line spanning the McClusky Canal came down. It was my job to walk the line across the ice and I didn't break through until I crossed it for the fourth time. I realized later how dangerous that really was."
Rolling a digger truck on Highway 10 east of Bismarck is another memory Terry can chuckle about now as he reminisces. "Jim Hixon and I were heading down the hill past Midwest Motor Express and our drive shaft broke," he explains. "The drive shaft tore out the rear axle, and we tipped on the side and rolled a couple of times. I mustn't have been in too bad of shape, because I still raced my stock car in Wishek later that night."
In 2006 when Bob Hendrickson retired, Terry gave up his spikes and accepted the job of staking engineer—the position from which he retired on May 2, 2011. As staking engineer, Terry meets with customers to plan the electric service they will need and passes that information on to the construction and accounting departments. According to Terry, "I've enjoyed meeting and working with so many people in this position."
While he's enjoyed his time with the co-op, nothing brings Terry more satisfaction than family, as evident by the numerous photos displayed in his office. He and his wife, Sharon, have three daughters: Rebecca, Christina and Sarah, and three grandchildren. Rebecca and Christina are both married, and Sarah is finishing her degree at North Dakota State University in Fargo.
Outside of the office, Terry enjoys a few hobbies, but probably none more than woodworking. Whether it's the tall oak book shelf in his office at the co-op or an oak rocking chair for a child, it's most likely something Terry created from scratch and a hand drawing. Terry and Sharon also enjoy riding their Harley-Davidson motorcycle around, traveling to places like the Black Hills and taking trips to see the kids in Minnesota.
The staff at Capital Electric will miss Terry's expertise and friendship. We all wish him the very best on his retirement and whatever he decides to do next. We will also miss Sharon's delectable baked goods, as we've become accustomed to enjoying them several times throughout the year. Thanks, Terry and Sharon, for being part of our lives at Capital Electric!