No rest for the retired: UI retirees staying busy

Some 74 UI employees entered the next stage of their lives during the 2005-06 academic year, which is to say they retired from the University. Some will stay busy with ongoing research, others will give time to worthy causes, and still others will find plenty to do around the house. Four retirees recently told fyi about their plans.

	Helen and Louis Sandersfeld have long enjoyed gardening, and now that they have retired from The University of Iowa, they are bringing assorted vegetables and baked goods to the Williamsburg farmers' market. Photo by Tom Jorgensen.

Louis and Helen Sandersfeld: Getting green thumbs dirty

Even in retirement, Louis and Helen Sandersfeld are working hard. The only difference is who goes home with their tomatoes.

The Sandersfelds, avid gardeners who both retired in December after 14 years as custodians at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, are now sharing the fruits (and vegetables) of their labor with the folks at the Williamsburg farmers' market, selling turnips, scallions, lettuce, and other homegrown foods alongside Helen’s baked goods.

“Retiring meant going back to work, doing the stuff we enjoy,” Louis says.

The horticultural hobby is nothing new for the Sandersfelds. They have long enjoyed the outdoors, and their green thumbs helped feed their seven children.

Working together also is nothing new for Helen and Louis—something they view as a blessing, not a curse.

“We’ll be married 50 years this November, so we enjoy each other,” Helen says with a smile.

The garden isn’t the only place you’ll find the couple. They plan to do some traveling, visiting family in places as distant as Orlando, Fla., and Santa Fe, N.Mex., and they look forward to seeing their grandchildren play sports at Clear Creek Amana High School and Upper Iowa University—things they couldn’t do while working the night shift.

The Sandersfelds take with them fond memories of their UI coworkers, with whom Louis shared many goods from the garden. “The people we worked with at Iowa were some of the best people you’ll find,” Louis says.

Rex Montgomery has retired after 50 years at The University of Iowa. Retirement won't stop the professor of biochemistry from continuing his work in the lab. Photo by Tom Jorgensen.

Rex Montgomery: Remains devoted to research

After 50 years of service at The University of Iowa, Rex Montgomery has decided now is the time to retire.

Mind you, that doesn’t mean that the esteemed professor of biochemistry isn’t going to work anymore.

“I plan on continuing my research, as long as my health and funding allow me,” Montgomery says. “I cannot imagine a morning with nothing to do.”

Montgomery has made the most of his mornings at the University over the past 50 years. In addition to his many years of teaching at Iowa, he also served as the original director of the University’s physician assistant program and held the positions of associate dean of research in the College of Medicine and interim vice president of research for the University.

Throughout his career, Montgomery enjoyed time in his lab. Even today, his research is rejuvenating.

“I have fond memories of the exciting discoveries made in our lab,” Montgomery says. “And now, I enjoy being around the brilliant young minds—they keep me young.”

Travel undoubtedly falls on Montgomery’s agenda—“There are plenty of places in this country I haven’t seen,” he says—but he looks forward to taking in the arts offerings right here in Iowa City and Eastern Iowa.

“I attend community theater performances, Hancher productions, and the shows at Old Creamery,” he says. “We are so lucky to have these opportunities.”

After 26 years of helping University of Iowa students as an academic advisor, Caroline Dieterle is looking forward to helping other things blossom, particularly in her home garden. Photo by Tom Jorgensen.

Caroline Dieterle: Free spirit freely lends a helping hand

Caroline Dieterle anticipates that freedom will be the best part of retirement.

“I am a free spirit,” she says. “It will be nice to plan my life day to day.”

Dieterle's free spirit won't squander her free time. After 26 years assisting students as an academic advisor in the Academic Advising Center, Dieterle is lending her time and talents to various organizations. She plans on continuing as a board member of the local (Hawkeye Chapter) of the American Civil Liberties Union—“Unfortunately, there are always plenty of issues to work on,” Dieterle says—and serving as secretary on the board of directors for New Pioneer Co-op, the Iowa City area's 33-year-old natural food store.

Retirement doesn't mean closure on the University's chapter in Dieterle's life. She is continuing to work at The Daily Iowan as its library archivist. “I love The Daily Iowan,” says Dieterle, who has worked for the University’s student-run newspaper since 1977. “Being in the newsroom with the students is never dull.”

Dieterle  loves being in the garden at her home—“a converted and winterized potting shed,” as she describes it—tending the fruits, flowers, and vegetables she grows for herself, family, and friends.

Her experience in helping things blossom is not limited to her garden. For 26 years, Dieterle helped many a young mind stay on course at The University of Iowa. In retirement, she reflects upon a career that spanned the development of academic advising from its start as a merit position to its current status as a recognized profession in the professional and scientific category, a change made necessary as the University's opportunities and regulations became more complex.

“It's most satisfying to know we made a difference,” Dieterle says. “We rescued well-meaning students who found themselves in a bureaucratic or academic bind. In this job, I tried to treat each advisee as I would have wanted my own child treated.

All stories by Christopher Clair