Good Day to Run

Gary began working as an apprentice carpenter after passing the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America test in April , 1977 in Corvallis , OR. He worked for many companies in Oregon building offices, a fire station substation, a heavy timber framed warehouse, schools, private homes, and more. I recall that on the warehouse project for Westwood Structures he was highly valued for his ability to nimbly carry heavy sheets of plywood up a bow truss system 65 feet in the air. Thank goodness he didn’t take them up on the offer to continue with them permanently! In the early 80’s he worked for his brother-in-law building houseboats on Lake Union in Seattle, WA. In 1983 we moved to Entiat, WA . Gary continued his career in construction working for various firms in the North Central Washington area and sometimes traveling out of town for jobs. In 1984 he was a field superintendent for Gencon Construction and remodeled and built an addition to a Prosser, WA school. In following years he worked for Impero, Moen, Shea, Imco, Redding, Levernier, Hale and Long , Lydig and Cree Construction companies building so many buildings in North Central Washington. ( I will need to research more to add all of the various structures ) In 1994 He was hired by Aldrich and Associates as a Foreman Carpenter on the addition of the ambulatory surgery center for the Wenatchee Valley Clinic . In July 1996, he was appointed the Field Superintendent for the new medical facililty for Wenatchee Valley Clinic in Omak, WA. The remainder of his career has continued with Aldrich and Associates making this year his 26th with Aldrich and his 43rd in the construction field. Aldrich has been a steady, progressive, and honorable company for him to work for. He and our family have greatly benefitted from the opportunities he has earned and been offered, and from his very dedicated work ethic. These excerpt from a few letters of recommendation I found describe him well, “ Gary’s greatest strength lies in his willingness to accept responsibility, his willingness to work hard…, his honest, sincere, yet firm manner. He is a creative, yet practical problem solver. “ and from another letter , “Gary’s integrity and honesty are flawless. He is timely in his work; never late, and puts in a generously full day.”

Gary often says how good he feels about the recent years working to improve the Columbia Valley Community Health facilities in Wenatchee, Ephrata, Chelan, and Moses Lake. We were early patrons of Community Health in Wenatchee when it was just a small office building on Wenatchee Avenue, and were parents of very young children. He feels that his work has helped to provide support for families who need good medical care regardless of their ability to pay. He also feels good having been able to be a leader to the many workers he has supervised.

We are so looking forward to the freedom to make unhurried visits to see our large extended family and dear friends to do the things we love to do together. Our first trip will be to Oregon to see Gary’s mom and sister and 2 of our kids’ families. Up at The Pines, I will be his regular working buddy from now on. And we have an apprentice – Beau James the dog. Gary is learning to be my assistant chef and dishwasher. Our wish is to be thankful for each day, make good choices and see what happens! Cheers!