Happy Retirement Dennis

Happy Retirement- This month came too fast but I am looking forward to my next chapter in my Life. This is actually my 36th video I made about my work- but it brought back so many memories- many who have retired and sadly a few who have passed on.  I started with Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission Sept. 3rd, 1985. It involved moving to Pasco and working port of entries on 4 different rotating shifts. In 1987 I was promoted to Snohomish but transferred to Wenatchee (for Okanagon position) on Dec. 25th, 1987. My office was the old forest service building at 2/Easy Street as well as an office in WSP Okanagon office once a week.  In 1993 due to funding cuts- I could move to Kent or be laid off- I commuted for one month and started at Wenatchee Maintenance on Oct. 4th, 1993 with my first winter on nights on Stevens Pass. I would fill in for stripers as needed and in 2003 I transferred to Striping and continued to work winter maintenance. In 2017 I transferred back to maintenance full time and this month I retire. I have worked with some tremendous people, seen some beautiful country, and so many good memories. I am a blessed man. These 34.5 years have gone by much faster than this one song- I hope the photos bring memories for you- I wish I had more time to include more of my friends and issues we dealt with. If you did not work with me- thank you for your patience and understanding on the highways. It is a team effort and I want to thank each one who made my time so much fun and such a success in my eyes. God Bless You.

Started 9/3/85 in Pasco- 
would drive to port of Entry(s) with these cars. 

Below was featured in "The Regulator"- The WUTC Newsletter
1986 in Review by MCLE Inspector 
Dennis Hendricks, WUTC, D-6, Pasco, Wa.
 Tis the night before Christmas-Just 3 hours to go
As I sit alone at Plymouth scale "Five-0"
 The sign flashes "park, bring your papers in"
It is quiet and I remember what a good year it has been
We Lost four to promotion, transfer or leave
That was Kevin, Tom, John and Steve. 
Joes' training and leadership is the best we all agree,
To Dave, Bob, Ed and Jim we give the name rookie 
The raises, the picnic, vacations were great,
The haz mate, first aid and tariff classes we appreciate
The day Joe and Ron decided at smoking there were through
The year Joes' car, computer, and copiers were new 
The log book lies and excuses we hear,
All make up a funny, exciting and memorable year
So working graveyard isn't quite as bad
When I stop to remember what a great year we had

My last day with WUTC was 10/3/93 and started next day with WSDOT with no break in service. My last day with WSDOT was 2-28-20

1993 on Stevens Pass with Randy Darlington who has retired. 

This was dress up night for dinner. Back then we were required to stay at Byrne camp for our shifts

We were on call for emergencies such as accidents, fires, road closures. This one was a Friday morning where 3 died on 97A, including a 5 year old boy, when the mountain slid- the loader is loading my truck front view. Later on this same highway, 2 miles from here,  on a sunday night, I would flag where 10 people would die in a head on crash caused by drinking

Above group photo taken a few years ago in Wenatchee- maybe a fourth are still working with WSDOT? I think I am in front row

 Photo taken in 04?- we had six on crew back then. Spent 14 summers with mostly this same crew

We had a reporter ride with us years ago, in fact we were not told it as a reporter riding with boss, so we were kinda loose with our answers- but you can see- we had FUN. I doubt if our boss approved of all our quotes. 

This was taken April of 2018 at the last retirement party I attended with most still living or still working for wsdot.

Here is a video I took 2 years ago- we stopped to help an accident and since a fight started- filming actually helped stop the situation I feel. You can hear me in the background as Phil calls this in to Wenatchee Radio

Happily Retired Now - YouTube