City Of Marion: Dan Schneider To Retire From City Of Marion After 43 Years

Marion IA

07 December, 2021

2:27 PM

Description

Press release from the City of Marion: 12/07/2021 10:15 AM Dan Schneider knows Marion like the back of his hand - he's had a front-row seat to the community's growth during his 43-years with the City. Schneider initially set out to be a physical education teacher and girls' athletics coach. After being assigned to teaching junior high science and math for three years, he opted to shift gears. Schneider was hired by the City of Marion full-time in June 1979. He worked briefly in the Public Services Department and then found his calling as an engineering technician in the Engineering Department. As an engineering tech, Schneider was responsible for field inspections, testing concrete and monitoring the work that happens on a construction site. He thinks of his role as being the intermediary who takes road construction projects from engineering plans to reality by working with the contractors. He was the one who was on-site the last time 7th Avenue and 11th Street were reconstructed. He opted not to watch it happen for a second time, more than 40 years later, as part of the crew for the 7th Avenue Reconstruction and Streetscape project. His favorite projects have been bridge installations due to the technical nature of the work. He said that having an even-keel temperament has been one of the secrets to his success. "I look back on all of my years with the City, and I think I was mad maybe five times. Sure, we ran into challenges on job sites, but I always tried to problem solve by making the solution the contractor's idea." As one might expect, the biggest change in the field has been technology. "Even in the last five years nearly all of the instruments that we use in the field have incorporated some computerized elements," Schneider added. "Dan has been an invaluable member of the Engineering Department," said City Engineer Mike Barkalow. "He has helped train all of us in some way or another. It's hard to lose someone who has this much institutional knowledge and love for the community. He will be missed." Schneider's last day in the office is in mid-December. After that, he plans to travel, make some property improvements and spend more time with his family, including two daughters and two grandchildren. And as he has up to this point, he will always find time for basketball and golf. This press release was produced by the City of Marion. The views expressed here are the author's own.