My Last Day at Kodak

Today was my last day at Kodak.  After over 36 years, I turned in my pass, said goodbye to a few friends and walked out the gate.  I have a lifetime of memories.  Some are even recorded with images.
My journey at Kodak began in 1976.  Among the archives I found my original Kodak pass picture.
As you can see, I haven't changed much!

 I was a rookie Chemical Engineer put into a small group of chemists and told to go invent something.  I was shown a desk, my own darkroom without much equipment in it and a very helpful engineer to share an office with.  I was one of over 60,000 people employed at Kodak in Rochester.

In 1979, I transferred to a Phototypesetting products group and took on a quality engineering role for Paper Support.  In 1988 I was asked to join Paper support as a Product Engineer for all the Black and White Papers.  Eventually I was the only engineer left in the product group.  These were certainly the most rewarding years.  I learned a lot about paper making, coating, chemicals and plastics.  I learned that manufacturing was a great place to work. I was amazed at how quickly I was accepted into the manufacturing world.  And the people were great.

Then the downsizing began.  I cannot count how many times I survived a downsizing, but it was a great time to learn that God is in control, when I was not.  Eventually, all the paper manufacturing was transferred overseas and I found myself in Thermal Media manufacturing.  For the last 6 years, I continued in manufacturing learning about packaging, converting, and lean manufacturing. I worked with a wonderful team of hard working, dedicated people.  I am thankful for all of it.

Here I am today

As you can see, I have not change much. - OK maybe a little change like glasses and shorter hair, and no tie, and I had to take the picture myself in my back yard.  Kodak also changed in this time. The workforce is less than 10% of what it was when I joined, most buildings are torn down, and there's not much manufacturing left, and it's in chapter 11.  But other than that.........

So now the really great new!  On May 9, I announced my retirement planning for September 1, so that Debbie and I could serve with Mercy Ships.  While on vacation a few days later I was told I could retire on the same date, but I would not have to train anyone in my job, or work during the summer.  In addition, there were some separation benefits.  We were flabbergasted! We are amazed at God's sense of timing in our lives, and very thankful.  So now I have more time to prepare for our journey to Africa and perhaps become a better blogger!