ORIGINALLY WRITTEN JULIE ANDERSON
After working for 35 years as superintendent of buildings and grounds
at Tabor College, Marvin Funk decided it was time to retire.
During his years at Tabor, Funk has seen many changes, including the
addition of several new buildings.
When he started, the campus had four main buildings and several
dormitories. The number of main buildings has since doubled and
additions have been made to several of the existing and new
facilities.
With the increase in buildings, he also witnessed an increase in
staff. From an original staff of three full-time workers plus
students, the department has grown to six full-time workers plus
students.
One by-product of the changes has been less contact with students.
?I feel I don?t know the students as well as I used to,? he said.
Funk was originally hired by Tabor to work with the electrical,
plumbing, heating and air conditioning. He did this until 1977, when
he began his current assignment as superintendent.
During that same year, Funk and his wife, Elfrieda, moved from their
farm near Goessel into Hillsboro because he did not have the time to
farm and work at Tabor.
?It?s a neat place to work?the atmosphere and the people,? he said.
?It is a good Christian atmosphere.?
The job provided him with new challenges almost every day. During the
summer, he would oversee special projects. During the school year, his
primary tasks were to make minor repairs, write work orders and set up
for the myriad of activities held on campus.
?The staff is responsible for a variety of things,? Funk said.
He is grateful for the good and responsible staff he was able to work
with during his tenure. It made his job much easier.
?I enjoyed my work,? Funk said. ?Of course, there were challenges.?
He said day-to-day decisions were challenging because he couldn?t
please everybody all of the time.
For the record, this is not the first time Funk has retired from
Tabor.
?I retired three years ago and came back to help with the
(construction of the) science building,? Funk said.
When that project was completed, he was still looking for part-time
work and let the college know he was available.
Working on the new science building was one of Funk?s most enjoyable
projects. He helped in various ways, from recruiting volunteers to
doing some of the construction work.
?It?s nice seeing a building like that come together,? he said.
He stayed on part time at first? although he said it was more like
full time. But when the person who had replaced him as superintendent
of buildings and grounds died, Funk stepped back into the position.
?But now I?m ready to retire,? Funk said. ?Elfrieda and I have so many
things we want to do.?
The list includes traveling and working on their house. Their
community involvements include the Lions Club, and they plan to start
a Leo?s Club, which is a Lions Club for youth.
?I will miss working with the people here at Tabor,? Funk said. ?It
Funk ends 35-year tour of duty
