Bob Hendrickson retires after serving co-ops for 31-1/2 years
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On Feb. 1, Hendrickson officially retired as staking engineer. In his 27 years with Capital Electric, he met with homeowners, builders, farmers and ranchers to plan for new construction of homes, wells, yard upgrades and commercial services.
His career started in North Platte, Neb., working on a transmission crew at Nebraska Public Power. He moved to Stanley in 1974 to work as a lineworker for Mountrail Electric before it merged to become Mountrail-Williams Electric. When the position of assistant staking engineer opened at Capital Electric in May 1978, he leapt at the opportunity to move back to Bismarck. Born in Valley City, Hendrickson moved to Bismarck with his family when he was in the second grade.
After six years with the co-op, Hendrickson was promoted to staking engineer. During his career with Capital Electric, he says the biggest change has been growth.
“When I first started, we used to do a couple hundred work orders a year. Now, we do around 500. Things have gotten busier and a lot more hectic.”
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Bob Hendrickson graduated from lineworker school at Bismarck State College (formerly Bismarck Junior College) back in 1974, along with fellow Capital Electric employees Gordy Wiese, operations supervisor, and Larry Wittmayer, system supervisor. |
Over the years, Hendrickson has overcome a number of challenges. He’s also seen his share of rewards.
“I’ve enjoyed working with the rural electrics. It’s been a real good job and a good career choice,” he says. “I’ve enjoyed the people I work with, from my coworkers and customers to contractors such as builders and electricians. I’ve had a lot of freedom with my job, and enjoyed being out on the road, visiting with people.”
If Hendrickson could change one thing about his career, he might have worked longer as a lineworker for the experience.
“When I started as assistant staking engineer with Capital Electric, I had just received my journeyman lineman certificate. I’ve always enjoyed the line work and line crew, and considered those guys to be the heartbeat of the coop. I miss that kind of work.”
Now that he’s retired, Hendrickson plans to spend more time with his wife, Lyn, on the family farm where she was raised in Grant County south of Lake Tschida. He looks forward to his son’s summer wedding, and spending time with his daughter’s twins. His son, Nathan, lives in Fargo and will marry his fiancé, Dawn, in August. His daughter, Angie, lives in Christine, with her husband, Randy, and their twin son and daughter, Chase and Tenley. In March, the twins will be 2 years old.
The staff at Capital Electric Cooperative congratulates Bob on his retirement, and thanks him for his dedicated service to the co-op.