Four decades of dedication recognized

Tim Lynch, Coulee Dam's wastewater treatment manager, is a remarkable fellow.

He completed 40 years on the job last Wednesday, and town officials recognized him with pizza and cake at the town hall.

What's so remarkable is that he has completed 40 years with the same employer, the town of Coulee Dam.

In talking about it later, Lynch said it actually is about 43 years, since he also worked earlier summers as a part-time employee.

What's really remarkable is a visit to his wastewater treatment plant. It's so clean you could eat off the floors.

Well, you might not want to, but he would make most housekeepers envy his cleanliness and attention to detail.

He calls it pride in his work, topped with hundreds of hours of training over the years.

The courses he's taken would make a long list and he continues to train even to this day. He is required to take certain classes annually to keep his certification up to date.

You almost have to be a chemist to have his job. He routinely conducts tests in his small laboratory and keeps records that are periodically examined by the Department of Ecology.

Retirement might be in the future, but Lynch hopes to follow through the town's interest in either building a new plant or rebuilding the present plant.

Lynch was born in the old Mason City hospital, just a short jog up the road.

His parents both were from Enterprise, Wash., and his father came here as an ironworker.

Tim still visits the old homestead, hunting and hiking in the hills. Hunting and fishing, as well as hiking, are hobbies he enjoys.

You can tell his job at the plant is also like a hobby to him. He likes the job and no matter where you look in the plant, you will find it spotless.

Clean enough to eat off the floor. Maybe.