I need to start by saying this is not good-bye. As I thought about this day many times over the last few months, I have comforted myself with the thought that your house is right around the corner. But I have to admit that I hate this.
Don’t get me wrong, I am happy for you. While I grew up watching the example of my grandfather who never retired, you taught me that retirement is a gift for the team members (our family members!) at Hoffer Plastics.
Of course the organization will miss your relentless pursuit of being the best molder in the building, and probably in the history of Hoffer Plastics. Of course, I will miss that too, but it is not what I will really miss.
More than anything else, I will miss the conversations we had waiting to fly to North Carolina, or Montreal. I’ll miss being stuck in the Air Canada Club with you for eight hours, and hearing your perspective on operational leadership. I’ll miss your emotion. Manufacturing is hard, and there might not be crying in baseball, but you have taught me that there is some crying in manufacturing! You have always cared deeply, and that care has NEVER wavered. It shone through in all our talks, and I have always come home feeling, “Thank God Rocky is on our team.”
Transition is hard, emotional, and flat out weird. The last six months have been difficult, and I am extremely thankful for your grace during this period.
I’ll always be grateful for the sacrifices you, Brenda, and your family made as the company grew. And I’ll also be forever in your debt for not telling my parents about that one time I was at your house during High School.
But that would incriminate us both, so some tales are best left untold!
Your slice is still wicked at times, so I hope that retirement helps that! I’m sure I’ll get to see the progress. When are we playing?
Thank you.
From the bottom of my heart, thank you.
You have made a tremendous impact on my life.
I hope we can make you proud as the ship leaves the dock with a new captain.
I believe we will.
But I also know it will never be the same.
I love you.
Alex