Post office experience leaves the building
About 200 years of experience is leaving the Brainerd Post Office this week.
It's an exodus in one fell swoop, as five postal workers move on to the next chapter in their lives - retirement. From now on the mail they touch will only be the letters others deliver to their door.
Bernie Borash. Larry Bible. Gerry Greenwalt. Steve Suer. John Johnson.
Brainerd Postmaster David Fuchs said it's a big loss for the post office.
Bible and Greenwalt have each put in about 36 years. They met in eighth grade, graduated from high school together and entered the Navy together. They served on different ships but saw each other in ports of call - the Phillipines, Japan, Hong Kong and Long Beach, Calif.
"We got jobs at the post office the same year and are retiring on the same day," Greenwalt said.
An exodus of experience took place in the Brainerd Post Office last week when long-term employees retired. They had at least 30 years on the job. Bernie Borash (left), Gerry Greenwalt, John Johnson, Steve Suer and Larry Bible all retired last week.
Brainerd Dispatch/Steve Kohls
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For Bible, it was an easy answer when he considered what he would miss after leaving the job.
"I really am going to miss the people," Bible said.
Borash echoed those sentiments, saying he'd miss all the bulk mail customers. The final week was described as bitter sweet. There are the regular customers they know by name and the camaraderie of the work place.
"I enjoyed working with the customers and the people here," Borash said.
They worked when mail was sorted by hand, before the advent of machines for that task. They kept the atmosphere lights by cracking jokes on long nights on the job. They met colorful characters behind the counter who left their mark even if their stay wasn't as lengthy.
"It's just a brand new chapter," Suer said, noting now he'll be able to have coffee with his wife in the morning. He said he looks at it not as though he's retiring from something, but that he's retiring to something new. "I'm looking forward to it."
Suer started with the postal service in 1972 in Wisconsin and came to Brainerd in 1985. He's worked with Johnson for 25 years. Suer said he'd most miss working with Bryan Thiesse, after working together nearly everyday for 19 years.
"It's going to be different," Suer said. "For me personally, I'm very grateful that I've had the opportunity to put in 30 plus years and to be able to build a retirement, have great benefits. I'm thank for that."
They are leaving at a time when there is more than a little uncertainty about the postal service's future because of the economy and a cultural shift toward using online services.
"For the employees staying here it's probably helpful that we are retiring," Borash said, noting their departure helps by thinning the work force through attrition.
Years ago they said there were about 48 postal clerks. After they leave, there will be about 19.
"It's exciting at the same time it makes it a little apprehensive," Greenwalt said. "A new chapter."
A regular customer paused at the counter last week to wish Greenwalt well on his retirement and future projects he may have at home. During his career, Greenwalt said he's met the homeless and the rich and tried to treat them all the same. Looking back at his career, Greenwalt said he had no regrets.
He started when there were scales at the front counter and before computers came into the picture. With more changes ahead, Greenwalt said it is a good time to go. But even with the challenges ahead, he doesn't see the post office going away any time soon.
Greenwalt said: "Small town America can't do without a post office."
RENEE RICHARDSON may be reached at renee.richardson@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5852.