Our Beloved Bob Hom Is Retiring Posted on June 24, 2011September 22, 2015 by Mary Sullivan Bob’s career at the DECC officially began 33 years ago. He was hired in 1978 as a house electrician and later became operations director. Prior to his full-time position at the DECC, he worked as a stagehand for the DECC as early as 1976 – his first event having been a KISS concert. His knowledge of the facility, his sense of humor, his positive outlook on life and his ability to handle even the most difficult of situations with grace will be missed by all who have worked with him over the years. Bob is retiring from his operations director position and will work part-time with a friend in his tugboat business, something Bob has wanted to do since his childhood. Please join us in celebrating his retirement at an Open House on Wednesday, June 29 from 5:00p.m. – 7:00p.m. alongside the William A. Irvin.
Beginnings and Endings Posted on November 9, 2010September 22, 2015 by Mary Sullivan In our first post, we celebrate the beginning of DECC blogging and also honor our own Walt Bruley as he retires this week. Walt Bruley, affectionately known as the “Zamboni Man” for the thousands of times he has resurfaced indoor ice sheets, is retiring after 37 years as the DECC’s Ice Manager. And the public is invited to say goodbye. A retirement party for Bruley will be held from 5:00-8:00 p.m. this Thursday, November 11, South Pioneer Hall at the DECC. Bruley’s “final flood” will be between the second and third periods of the Saturday, November 13, men’s hockey game between UMD and Michigan Tech. Then from 3:00-5:00 p.m. Sunday, November 14, the public is also invited to an open house and free family skating in the DECC Arena. Bruley’s “Zamboni Man” career actually began before his November 19, 1973, start date at the DECC. Prior to that he resurfaced the ice at the old Duluth Curling Club, located on London Road. Bruley’s flair for entertaining spectators each time he resurfaced the ice led to feature stories about him in publications as far away as the Boston Globe. “Walt’s been a popular institution at the DECC, and we invite everyone who’s ever appreciated his talents to join us for the retirement party and free family skate,” said DECC Executive Director Dan Russell. “We wish Walt a happy retirement because, well, he’s an ice guy.” Walt Bruley "Zamboni Man"
