Family and friends joined the staff at the Becker Primary School Tuesday afternoon to bid a fond farewell to George Lemperes, who was signing off after a 34-year career as a custodian at the school. 

 

The gathering included his wife of 42 years, Linda and many of their five children and 13 grandchildren, all of whom live in the Becker area.  The couple met in Bellingham, WA, George’s home town, where she was attending college.  They relocated to Becker, which is her home town, in 1980, and he began working for the school district shortly thereafter.

 

Several of his colleagues noted the warm relationship he has had with students over the years, all of whom greet him in the hallways as “Mr. George,” a greeting that is sometimes heard in area stores as well when kids excitedly tell their parents about the man from their school when they see him out shopping.

 

He has been working since he was eight years old, Lemperes said, so retirement is going to be a major lifestyle change.  He and Linda have no immediate major changes planned, he said, but he does have a lengthy list of projects to be completed “around the house” in the near future.  Travel will be an aspect in the future, he said, including visiting a brother in Arizona in the winter and other destinations yet to be determined.

 

Outgoing Building and Ground Director Chuck Stanger stopped by the gathering to present the engraved brass school bell, the traditional gift given to long-serving staff members upon leaving the school district.  Also on hand for the party were Primary School Principal Dale Christensen and former Becker Director of Transportation Ken Abraham, along with a room full of his colleagues and friends.

 

Spending time with the grandchildren is a first priority, Lemperes said, but he also has a date with a 1909 Ford Model “T” three-door touring car that he is planning to restore to original condition, now that he has the time.  “It runs,” he said, indicating that the restoration may be more cosmetic than mechanical.

 

He and Linda had taken the seats of honor in the two throne-like arm chairs set up for them by his colleagues, but it was not long before the two of them were at the table, serving out the cake and ice cream as they enjoyed his milestone event.