I last fully shaved in 1982. I remember the day: Sept. 18.
I’d graduated from college that May and started a just-pay-the-bills job that banned facial hair. Bored, I found work as a newspaper reporter. Before my last shift at Boring Job, I shaved.
My beard began then. My journalism career began days later.
I’ve worked in Washington state, Nebraska, Illinois, Ohio, North Carolina and Louisiana. I’ve traveled across the country and overseas for stories. I’ve written and edited about helpers and thieves, heroes and clods, celebrities and killers.
I’ve collaborated with smart and supportive colleagues. And for the past seven years, I’ve taught and coached energetic college journalism students.
My career has delivered occasional frustrations but mostly permitted creativity while providing purpose and fulfillment.
I’ve left jobs in nearly every way possible: Transferred for an employer. Resigned with notice and quit without. Been laid off.
Today, around 3 p.m., nearly 44 years since my last full shave, I’ll leave in a new-for-me way.
I’ll retire.
About the beard. It’s faded from brown to mostly gray.
And it will stay.
NOTE
Among the many people who lifted me up during my years in journalism are Lettie Acosta, Danielle Battaglia, Gayle Beck, Jennie Broecker, Gary Brown, Judy Christie, Diana Condon, Linda Grist Cunningham, Brad Dennison, Anna Derocher, Don Detore, Roxanne Dill, Steve Doyle, Christopher Drew, Keeley Duckworth, George Edmonson, Alan English, Stephen Fehr, Scott Ferrell, Michael Finney, James Flachsenhaar, Cate Folsom, Todd Franko, John Friscia, Wallie Funk, Doug Gass, David Gauger, Liz Reardon Gauger, Rick Gauger, Martha Gay, Richard Gay, Thomas Gunning, Kymberli Hagelberg, Steve Hall, Anne Henderson, Greg Hilburn, Jack Holley, Tom Jekel, Martin Johnson, Steve Jordon, Kevin Kampman, Larry King, Don Kirkpatrick, C. David Kotok, Diana Kramer, Rich Laden, Michelle Marcotte, Tommie McLeod, Stan Myers, Steve Palmer, Bob Pearman, Deanna Sands, Robin Saul, Dave Sereno, Veronica Sereno, John Settle, Jay Shelledy, Joanne Stewart, Judi Terzotis, Jane Turnbull, Miles Turnbull, Kevin Warneke, Connie White, Henrietta Wildsmith, Jon Ziomek. And the hundreds of Louisiana State University students who helped me re-find joy in journalism and find new joy in that shared endeavor called learning.
To them (some of whom, sadly, are now gone) and to so many more:
Thank you.
– 30 –
I read this when I woke up. Then I went back to sleep. I’m retired.
Hah! Me too, tomorrow.
What a beautiful wow get to a fabulous career. You’ve blessed my life, and even a fellow grizzled gray beard has learned from your tutelage. May God bless you, Liz and the girls with new adventures, none of which require shaving!
Thank you, Steve. I look forward to hanging out and sharing war stories once we’ve returned to North Carolina.
I didn’t know what auto editing did to me until after I posted, but some bit changed “elegy” to “wow get.” Both may be inelegant, but at least one was my choice!
Auto editing … kapow!
And now “bot” to “bit.” I flunk.
Retired is simply a construct for “next path.” I’ve been “retired” since 2011 and THIS path is the best yet. You’ll learn new skills and explore new ideas, and best of all, you’ll write. Most of us became journalists because we wanted to write. As long as the brain and the fingers connect at the keyboard, writing is the constant you can count on. (But as Steve Fehr commented, you can always roll over and go back to sleep.)
PS: I am awestruck at the effort it required to put all those names in alphabetical order. Love you and owe you, Mr. Gauger.
Thank you, Linda. And do I plan to write. It’s better than motorcycle riding, and that’s saying a lot.
About those alphabetized names. I’ve been assembling the list for months and alphabetizing them was the only way I could avoid duplicates. Still, it might reflect OCD tendencies.
Workaholics never truly retire; they simply shift their devotion elsewhere. In writing, you end up giving even more of yourself. So where’s the retirement in that? Even when the job ends, the identity, the long journey, and the bearded man remain. Best wishes Jeff!
Nahar, I always know you’ll think and write deeply. Thank you. And … thank you for your contributions to 30-Second Read.
Best wishes to you Jeff, on your retirement!! Well deserved. Enjoy!!
Jeff,
Welcome to the ranks of the retired my jammer friend. Well deserved. Thinking back, it was 45 years ago this summer we were co-workers at Glacier National Park in Montana.
I joined the retirement ranks April 1, 2025 myself after nearly 40 years in administration at the University of Washington.
I wish you all the best in retirement Jeff. Enjoy!
Dennis Meske, Former Jammer
Glacier National Park, Montana USA
Dennis, thank you. My summer as a Glacier jammer was between my junior and senior years of college. It’s hard to believe it was so long ago. Where did the time go?
Jeff
Jammer, 1981
Glacier National Park
Thank you, Julie.
Enjoy! Being retired is the best job I’ve ever had.
LOL!
Congrats, Jeff! You’ve certainly inspired many, many others along the way.
Don, thank you. I met you on my first newspaper job, back when the beard was new. Thank you for helping us stay connected over the years.
Jeff, your post today brought tears to my eyes. (And I don’t cry easily.) You were and remain an inspiration to me. I love your writing, as well as your overall takes on life. I am so happy you and Liz get to move back to NC, and I will be visiting you both there some day soon!! All the best going forward!
Carrier, thank you. I always appreciate your support of Liz and of my little website project.