Mike Dougherty's Blog

75 and going strong

My dad turned 75 today (Sept. 1).

His hair is white and he had a pacemaker placed in his chest in May, but he’s still the strongest man I know. Or, as he told me during an argument we had a few years ago, “I can still take you out.” He was right when he said it and he still can.

Dad has been a diesel mechanic since he was 17, though he sold heavy equipment in Missouri for a few years in the mid-1970s. He has retired a couple of times in recent years. He closed his shop at Sweet Home about 10 years ago, but he continued to rent out his services as a shop foreman for others.

Then he tried retirement again a couple of years ago, but he kept getting offers from old customers to “just come by and  help out.” When the doctor strongly suggested early this year that some dizzy spells he had while driving indicated that he needed a pacemaker to help his heart, Dad resisted for a while — he thought it might keep him from working. But a third round of dizziness convinced him the device was necessary, so he had to done.

In the process of “taking it easy” during recovery, Dad has increased his interest in auctions. He used to look for equipment and various tools by attending estate sales and similar events. Early this year he sold off his service truck and some of his tools at an auction, but came home with a new pickup and other tools. Now he helps a man who puts on auctions get ready for them.

When he’s at home, he spends his time in his workshop, on a riding lawn mower or out back “checking the garden.” He’s also learning to make stained glass.

Mom may have realized by now that he’s not really going to retire. Or maybe she just keeps giving him a list of things to do so he will keep working. He would have no idea what to do with himself if he had to just sit in his recliner.