Ogren retires after 32 years

For the past 32-plus years Eric Ogren worked nights to make sure students and staff members in Buffalo and Hanover returned to clean classrooms and other learning facilities in the morning.

In mid-February, the 1977 Buffalo High School graduate and longest-serving member of the Buffalo-Hanover-Montrose Building and Grounds Department retired at the end of a career marked by hard work, careful attention to detail, and kindness.

“I’ve enjoyed my time here. I’ve had a good time working with everybody. I’ve had a good time working for the district,” Ogren said.

Beginning in August of 1991, he worked nine years at the Buffalo Community Middle School building, although it was the high school until a new high school opened in 1997. But the bulk of his career, the past 24 years, was spent at Hanover Elementary School, where he appreciated the camaraderie that came from working with a smaller staff.

“It’s a family atmosphere here, very close-knit,” Ogren said.

Hanover Elementary Principal Brad Koltes said that staff members have often remarked on Ogren’s caring nature since he announced his retirement.

“Multiple people have said that when they were working late he would go to the door with them and watch to make sure they got out to their vehicle safely,” Koltes said. “He was always looking out for people and making sure they got what they needed. I want to thank him for all of his years of service to Hanover and BHM. We’ll certainly miss him, but we’re grateful for all he’s done for our staff, our students, and the Hanover community.”

Returning to Hanover
Ogren spent most of his childhood in Champlin, but his family moved to Hanover when he was in ninth grade. After graduating from BHS he worked as a metal cutter at a machine shop in Rogers, but when the business relocated he began seeking new employment. A friend recommended finding a maintenance position at one of the surrounding school districts, and he soon had his first custodial job at his alma mater.

“I got along with everybody on the crew there. We worked well together,” said Ogren. “These guys had been around quite a bit, so I learned the ins and outs of everything.”

Eventually a night custodian job opened in Hanover, which was 10 miles closer to Ogren’s residence in Elk River, and he decided to transfer. Although additional opportunities arose in other districts closer to home in the years that followed, he never seriously considered leaving Hanover.

“I was happy to stay here,” Ogren said. “I worked well with everybody, and everybody worked well with me. The drive was a little bit of distance, but I was comfortable.”

What did he most enjoy about the job?

“The people and the conversations you have with teachers,” Ogren said. “You get to know a little about them and they get to know a little about you. It’s like a family. Whenever someone has a birthday they celebrate in the staff lounge, and they did a little celebration for my retirement, too. The teachers go out of their way to include us night people. When there is a celebration with treats during the day, they make sure to save some for me and (fellow night shift custodian Dorothy Valentine) too. They include us in everything.”

Staff appreciation
School secretary Dana Brainerd said Ogren was always a source of good humor and advice on where to find deals at surrounding businesses and restaurants.

“Eric knew this school well. You could always count on Eric to get the job done,” she said. “He was always willing to help out whenever you asked him to do something extra. He took pride in what he did and he enjoyed working at HES.”

Second-grade teacher Nancy Anderson said Ogren was “a conscientious and energetic employee with an unwavering work ethic,” and added his willingness to walk her to the door and make sure her car left the parking lot safely after dark was a defining trait.

“Always willing to lend a hand, he was safety conscious and timely in completing tasks,” Anderson said. “Eric greeted me daily with an upbeat and respectful demeanor, sometimes tinged with a dollop of humor. Over the years, I was able to learn something about him; a man proud of and devoted to his family.”

Ric Thompson, head engineer at Hanover Elementary, said Ogren was a steady, reliable staff member.

“I appreciated Eric's dedication to Hanover Elementary,” Thompson said. “I could always count on him to get things set up for activities, events and concerts.”

Retirement plans
Ogren said his only immediate plan for retirement is to relax and enjoy evenings without obligations. His wife is still working, and one big family highlight on the horizon is the marriage of one of their three adult children this summer.

“I’m just going to see what it’s like to not have to go to work, not worry about weekends,” he said. “I’ll wait awhile to figure things out and see how things go.”

Ogren has earned his retirement, but his co-workers said that his departure will leave a void. 

“His friendliness and kindness will definitely be missed around here,” said Brainerd.

“How he went out of his way to help people and his kindness – that’s what we’ll remember,” said Koltes.