Caledonia Argus

Bob Reider retires after 22 years

Posted: 9/30/03

By Shannon McKinney
Argus News Reporter

Bob Reider could have been a singer instead of a law enforcement officer, But lucky for the Houston County Sheriffís Office, he chose the latter.

Reider retired last week after 28 years of law enforcement and 22 years with the Sheriffís office.

Even though he graduated from college with a degree in music, Reider put aside aspirations of a career in vocal music and pursued law enforcement because he had an interest in the field and a growing family to support. The idea of early retirement appealed to him too. Reider just turned 50 last week.

Reider began as the Hokah Police Chief and then as an officer in the Chatfield Police Department for 18 months each. Then, after three years with the Caledonia Police Department, he joined two others deputies on the Houston County Sheriffís office night crew.

In the early years, however, retirement must have seemed like a far away dream. He often worked part time jobs to supplement the income from his full time work. He said, ìWhen I first started as deputy, we qualified for food stamps.î

Long, late hours became the norm. ìYou do what you have to do to survive,î he said.

For the first three to four years at the sheriffís office, he worked ten hour shifts from 5 p.m. to 3 a.m. Then, after snatching a few hours of sleep he drove school bus for the Caledonia School district before and after school.

The first time Reider began working days in 1986, he recalls, his son asking his wife, Linda, ìWhen is dad going to go to work?î

Through the years, however, work conditions and pay improved, said Reider.

But all the hard work wasnít without good times.

Deputy had good and bad memories

Reider will never forget the time he responded to a 911 call. A six-year-old boy answered the door and urged him to save his seven-year sister who had become accidentally folded up in a day bed.

Reider could hear her muffled calls through the mattress. And in an effort to help his sister breath, the boy had ingeniously shoved several straws through the mattress opening to her mouth.

Reider noted that the situation was probably not as dire as the boy thought, but he was glad to be the one to save the day.

Reider recalls an exciting experience early in his career when he and a few other police officers arrested a man wanted for robbery and murder. The man had shot some people while robbing a syndicate gambling house.

As in most cases that are solved, Reider said teamwork is the key. ìYou donít do everything by yourself,î he explained.

Reider enjoyed roaming the highways of Houston County when he first started as deputy. But through the years, his perspective changed. The county has become smaller as his familiarity with it increased. ìItís not the size of the job that counts. What you put into it, is what you get,î he said.

After 22 years of working county roads and gravel paths, Reider has bittersweet memories. He explained, ìMost people drive around and see beautiful things, but I, for example, remember going to this house for a death notice or at this particular spot I witnessed someone die in a car accident.î

These type of things and violent deaths were the hardest part of being a deputy, said Reider. ìI wonít miss that. It gets to you after awhile,î he said.

Reider will miss co-workers and friends

When Reider was promoted to Chief Deputy several years ago, he spent more time in the office managing other deputies.

It is his relationship with co-workers and people he has dealt with over the years that he will miss the most.

He said, ìIím going to miss the people I work with and the people I arrested. Sometimes you arrest different people and develop a certain relationship. Not all the people you arrest are bad people.î

Reider remembers when he first started working, he ticketed Maria Muenkle for speeding. He laughs, ìEvery time we see each other she reminds me that she really wasnít speeding.î

Co-worker Carrie OíHeron said he will be sadly missed by the office, ìThe office just isnít going to be the same without him. He had a pleasant attitude and I didnít ever see him get mad. We told him he canít leave, but heís not going to listen to us. I hope he has fun and enjoys himself.î

Deputy Tracie Erickson said, ìHe was a great guy to work under.î

One aspect that co-workers will most certainly miss is Reiderís special retirement calendar.

Four years ago, Reider began counting the days to his retirement after seeing a friend do it. At any given day, Reider knew exactly how many days he had left until retirement. ìI thought it was funny,î he explained.

He started the clock at 1,444 days. ìIt got to be such an everyday thing until I hit 365 and I was like, geez, I only have a year,î he said.

Deputy Sheriff Mike Lee said, ìIím going to miss Bob both as a friend and partner. He made an excellent chief deputy and an excellent deputy and I wish him the best in his retirement.î

Retirement will be busy

Now Reider will have time to golf and become certified in Spanish so that can become a court interpreter.

Reiderís is looking forward to getting things done around the house that he was too busy to do before. He said itís not a ìHoney-Doî list because he actually enjoys working on the house. ìI have to get the deck finished,î he said of one of the jobs he intends to do.

He chuckles at the idea that his wife still works at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center as an x-ray technician. ìSomeoneís got to make the money,î he jokes.

But he still plans to help out. ìI take her to work and pick her up,î he explained.

Reider will also be busy being grandpa. His sons, Tony and Rob, each have two children with one on the way.

After only few days into retirement, Reider told The Argus that he already has another job lined up. He plans to help Tonyís family in South Dakota with their third child.

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