Long Time Oskaloosa Businessman Celebrates Retirement
John Porter (left) is seen greeting people and talking during his retirement party at Hawkeye Lumber
Oskaloosa, Iowa – With a warm smile and a firm handshake, John Porter welcomed every guest to his retirement party at Hawkeye Lumber.
Porter, who has been working with Hawkeye Lumber for 63 years now, will soon be hanging up his tape measure and sitting down his pencil. “I haven’t even thought about it,” Porter says when you ask him what he’s going to be doing during retirement.
“The only reason we’re closing is because I’m 86 and I can’t kick the bucket and leave it to my wife and daughter to liquidate. It just wouldn’t be fair to them.”
“I’ve enjoyed the business. I’d keep doing it if it wasn’t for the fact that I can’t turn the clock back,” was Porter’s thoughts.
I asked for some of his fondest memories of owning his own business and being a part of Oskaloosa. “One of my fondest memories… I’ll give Chuck Russell credit for it.”
Porter was interested in fluoridation and wanted to help prevent tooth decay. “Back in the 50’s, Oskaloosa did not have fluoridation. So when Chuck Russell was going to run for mayor, I met him at the Canary Cottage Café one day. I said, ‘Chuck, I’ll vote for ya if you put in fluoridation’. I was convinced that this could help your teeth.”
“Anyway, he listened, didn’t say a thing but he got elected and he said ‘John, your the Chairman of the committee for fluoridation’.”
Porter then enlisted some help, and in the end he, along with a small group of local group, convinced the committee that fluoridation would be a positive addition for the health of Oskaloosa residents. “I couldn’t have done it without Chuck’s help.”
Beyond being a businessman for the past 63 years, John’s interests have included his trumpet. He was part of the Oskaloosa Municipal Band for 10 years, and also “shipped out in the Navy Band” where he served for 1 1/2 years.
Music is a big part of his life, as his grandfather is C.L. Barnhouse, “I feel like it’s in my blood,” Porter says. So I had to ask John if he was going to play his trumpet at the 100th anniversary of the bandstand. “I’ve spent a lot of time over my musical life having to be at a certain place at a certain time, well I don’t do that anymore.” Although John says he still continues to play almost every day.
Porter does hope to spend some more time at his family cabin along the lake in Minnesota after retirement.
