It's been 6 years since we left NRRI, but we can remember you, your office, and your gentle (usually :0) reminders about getting time sheets and proposals in on time like it was last week. You always seemed like the calm before, or maybe the eye within, the storm on the 4th floor. I would enter your office all stressed out and neurotic and generally leave much calmer (I always wondered if you had hidden sedatives in the candy ...), and with an answer or at least a direction in which to go for one. Thanks for being so helpful and supportive regardless of the crises of the day. We wish you all the best for a happy and healthy retirement, enjoying your family, golf, and whatever else brings you joy!
- Cathy and Tim

Eulie,
Your calm demeanor and efficient manner is already missed on the 4th floor. In addition to always having the answer (or knowing who to ask), you always took a moment to ask how everyone was doing. Thank you for all your help and support.
-Jennifer Olker

We miss you Eulie (and you can take THAT to the bank!)

Picnic on Park Point, Layfayette Club

Yum!

The three muskateers (er... retirees)!!

Thank you Eulie

Eulie - Thanking you for all your efforts over the years is a true understatement. I could not have completed my job without all of your help. I cannot think of a more dedicated person - you were there at work before 8:00 am and so often you were still there after 5:00 pm. Thank you ever so much. I also appreciate all of the help you gave my graduate students over the years. You were always the friendly face in the office and the person they could rely upon to answer their questions .. and by the way many of my own questions. I even recall one time when you really went out of your way to drop off tennis shoes for Jarad when he forgot them and both Bonnie and I were busy. Of course, then there were the many times that you participated in our Crew Meadows ornithology field trips and drove many of the students down there early in the morning - though as I recall you really enjoyed those trips. Those field trips were the highlight for many biology students.

It is hard to believe how fast the past 20 + years have gone. From the perspective of research, we accomplished a lot with millions of research dollars spent, hundreds of research papers published, and presentations given. Most importantly, we have made a difference in improving environmental decision-making and tremendously increased our understanding of Minnesota's natural resources. Eulie - you were a major link and contributor to those accomplishments - we could not have done it without you. Again thank you and keep in touch. Jerry

Eulie,
I don't think ANY of Jerry's graduate students would have made it through without your help. I have to chuckle at the fact that during the past year, you knew what I needed help with before I had time to grab some chocolate. I think I can say this for all the bird graduates - we are going to miss you.
-Anna

P.S. What's that budget number again?... Just kidding. :)

Embarking on new adventures

Eulie, I was really surprised to learn of your impending retirement. I am really happy for you too, because you are embarking on a great new adventure. You will now be able to golf any day of the week you want, not just on Wednesdays; you will be able to take fishing trips any time you want; and you will have far fewer people looking to you to satisfy their chocolate cravings! But probably best of all, you will continue to have many many people who think of you and smile, remembering what a wonderful presence you are in CWE and everywhere else. You really helped make my short stay in CWE a great one.

-Phil Fay

Another shout-out of gratitude!

Those of us who are wet behind the ears in the CWE offices will miss your presence too! I'll attest to you abilty to put newbies at ease with your friendliness, calm under pressures we're not even cognisant of, and knowledge of the inner runnings of the dept., you will be missed, even by those who have only just met you! I've appreciated the help and direction you've offered me in our short overlap of time. Best to you in retirement! I'm excited for you and all that you'll be able to do with your "free" time!
-Andrea B. Crouse (GRA)

Enjoy, Eulie!

As one who "beat you out the door," I'm here to encourage you to enjoy yourself! Retirement is wonderful and I know once you settle in you'll have a wonderful time. Now is your time and I hope you enjoy it as much as I do. Everyone has been put first, and now, you get to be first for a change! I also want to say how much I have enjoyed working with you over the years. I've always appreciated your insight and problem-solving abilities. Take care and keep in touch!

Nora

Congratulations Eulie!

Although we never had the chance to officially work together, I always enjoyed exchanging greetings with you in passing on the stairwell or in the parking lot. You were always in such a positive mood - I think you made everyone's day better. My occasional trips to the 4th Floor will not be the same without you around. Best wishes for an enjoyable retirement!
Kurt

Congratulations!

Eulie,

CWE will not be quite the same without you sitting at the front desk, giving the appearance of relative calm in a maelstrom of due dates and the new financial system. For all of us your jar of chocolate was a welcome site. I greatly appreciate the help you provided over the many years we have had with CWE and hope you enjoy your well deserved retirement.

John Ameel

Congratulations!

Hi Eulie,

It has been a pleasure working with you over the past years. While we have not had overlapping areas, you have helped me "learn the system" whenever I had questions - so very important. I wish you a happy and healthy retirement.

Take care,
Brian Brashaw

Congrats and thanks!

Eulie: I do not know you as well as most, as I am much more tangential, but what always impressed me is that even though I may only come into your office a few times a year, you always knew who I was and made me feel like I belonged. Your professionalism, and steadfast confidence was eveident even in those brief meetings. Thanks for 20 years of service, and I regret that I did not come in the office more often. I know there will be a big void when I next stumble through.

Enjoy!

Mike Rentz

Always another way

Eulie
What I'll miss the most (other than the 3:00 chocolate fix) is your attitude that there are always ways to accomplish any goal - we just have to find them! That is such a lifesaver for those of us who sometimes see only the roadblocks in front of them. I've learned a lot from my interactions with you - thanks!

Congratulations on your retirement; take a well deserved rest!

Pat

First stool on the right......of the post, that is

Eulie, Congratulations on your retirement....I only wish I was working at the Blue Heron on a regular basis as I know you will be there for more classes. I have so enjoyed getting to know you over the years during the Thursday night classes. Eulie, your words of encouragement on those Thursday nights always meant so much to me while I was getting through school. I Thank you.
And how about those cooking classes....oh, how we love to have Bob Bennett or Scott Graden whip up a delectable dish or two and then get to eat it!! What could possibly beat that??? Cooking classes aside Eulie, I hope you are able to enjoy all your free time with family (especially those grandkids) and friends! And Eulie, if ever you need someone to be a taste tester for some of the new recipes you are trying....please know that I am always available....Happy retirement and of course, many more hours of cooking, Gayle

Eulie,

It has been wonderful working with you. I have appreciated your willingness to heed my many requests for "more detail" and your occasionally saving me an extra muffin. I will miss you. I think we should officially retire "4292" from our phone system. Now, onto the golf course, the garden and the grandkids! Congratulations,

Sue M.

Congratulations Eulie

From the first day I started at NRRI at the front lobby desk I was told, "Oh Eulie is the resource person, she is the one you can contact if you have any questions" . . . and twelve years later you are still my "go to person" whenever I needed assistance or information. I enjoyed working with you immensely and am very grateful for all your help over the years. We will miss you! ENJOY. Trish

Eulie - Congratulations! It's been a pleasure working with you over the past years. I'm glad you stuck it out to learn the new financial system so you can come back and fill in!

Now you'll have time for all those hobbies of yours, plus the grandkids! Enjoy!

If you ever get a chance, why not stop in for a muffin meeting.


Denise E

Eulie,
Thanks for all of your help over the last two years. It was so nice having someone to go to with all of my questions. I was always impressed that every day you were so pleasant, no matter how basic or redundant my questions were. I hope each day of your retirement is like another day tacked on to a wonderful vacation.
Take care,

Jeremy

thanks and best wishes Eulie!

It's hard to imagine CWE without you, Eulie. I will miss your warm greetings, friendly conversation, endless patience, and wise advice. You always seem to know how to get everything done. Your work is so much appreciated. Thanks for being such a wonderful presence at CWE. I hope you really enjoy your retirement and the change of pace. Best wishes for your next adventures, and thanks again and again.

Carol Reschke

Eulie, Thank You for all that you have done for CWE and NRRI, it won't be the same without you. I hear that the walleyes bite year round on Lake of the Woods - let me know if it is true!

Jerry Henneck
p.s. I'll look for that receipt and get it turned in soon (or maybe not now that you are retired)!

It is amazing how a name can bring out such a strong memory

It has been 14 years since I have worked for NRRI-CWE but when the email announcing Eulie's retirement arrived I did not have to think, who? what? I smiled and remembered the warm friendly face downstairs who took care of everyone and who cared for everyone. Euile - I wish you the best as you enter into the next phase of your life and thank you for being such a wonderful person. Your spirit can warm ones heart after all of these years!

Geri Tesser-Handberg

Another Muffin Meeting

Dear Eulie,

Here at Coleraine, we always received notification of the muffin meetings, but we never received any of those muffins up here! Sorry we missed them! I did not work as closely with you as did the others who have spoken so highly of you, but whenever you and I had any dealings with accounting issues and new procedures/training, you were always very professional and helpful. I could tell that you were very well-respected at NRRI. That message comes through LOUD and CLEAR in this blog, especially in the comments from your family and those who nominated you for your recent well-deserved award/commendation!

I wish you the best in your retirement. Now you will have more time for all of the things that had to wait! CONGRATULATIONS!

Robin Oberton

Congratulations!

Eulie, I always enjoyed touching base with you while waiting for meetings with Lucinda. And I'm grateful for your help in learning how things ran at CWE, and for all the day-to-day help and advice you provided. Thank you very much!

I hope you thoroughly enjoy retirement, and wish you all the best.

John Sandberg

Shoes to Fill

Eulie,
Can you imagine how many UofM staff have been sent to you for 'processing' either as new employees, opening new accounts, or submitting reimbursements, and figuring out budgets and proposals? Just considering the BugLab work-study students that you've had to baby-sit over the years is mind-boggling....Tamara Swanson, Bucky Moore, Wade Watson, Jeff Butwinick, Dan Turpening, Sammy Pohl...............are any of these ringing a bell?..............perhaps these may be more memorable.....Aaron Undeland, Barb Peichel, John Juaire, Jacque Alexander (Pechin)...........and that is just from the mid-90's.

You've been an icon for CWE. I remember my first day filling out paper work in your office on 3rd floor kitty-corner from the Supply Room before the staff offices were completed on 4th.

With all that aside, it is time to relax. Enjoy. I just hope someone continues to fill the candy jar.
dan b.

Hi Eulie

Well, what can I say after working with you all these years? Many proposals, papers, and lots of great discussions behind us. You have made my stay at NRRI very enjoyable and you are an inspiration to all of us.

Best wishes on your retirement. Have fun!

John Pastor

I know life will go on, but not sure quite how!

Eulie,
You have been the the hub around which CWE has revolved for as long as I have been there (since 1993!). You have always been gracious, giving and supportive. You have watch me grown from a brand new master's student, through my Ph.D. and into motherhood. Throughout my journey you have always been a bright spot. Your spirit and love of life will be greatly missed.
We'll have to figure out how to get my farm fresh eggs to you on a regular basis!

My best to you and Al on your new journey!

Cindy

So Long and Happy Retirement!

Dear Eulie,

You really are the Heart and Soul of CWE. You have a way of being calm, graceful, comforting and above all HELPFUL, even when there is chaos all around you. I was always amazed that you were able to locate key people (for instance, Ghost,) when it was next to impossible (especially in the days before cell phones)! It will never be the same at CWE without you.

I will miss chatting with you about kids, your grandkids, travels and all manner of things and of course, the candy bowl! I wish you well in retirement and hope that you enjoy the time with family and the time to golf more. I hope many good things come your way, you are so deserving. Thanks for giving so much. Enjoy the summer and many years beyond!

Connie Host

Goodbye - You'll be missed!!

Congratulations Eulie! It has been my sincere pleasure to have been able to work with you over the years. You have been such an incredible help to our office and I just can't thank you enough! I wish you many happy and rewarding years ahead in retirement, and I hope that you will keep only your fondest memories of the SPA office. :) We have always known that if you were involved in preparing a proposal, it was done right. You made our jobs so much easier. We will certainly miss your expertise, but mostly we'll miss your great sense of humor in dealing with some very stressful situations. It's time for you to relax now and enjoy your retirement to the fullest.... you lucky duck! Take care and I hope to see you around.

Janice

You will be missed!

Dear Eulie,
NRRI will not be the same without you. You have been an inspiration and guide to me for almost 8 years and I will miss you greatly.

You were one of the first people I met when I came to Duluth for my orientation. This was a week after defending my thesis and a day after moving 1000 miles to a state I had never been to before. This was my first career job and I was scared to death. You were warm, genuine, and welcoming. You gave me a tour of the building, showed pictures and posters, explaining research and interesting tidbits about the institute and the area, answering all my questions, and making it clear that I could contact you anytime. You made me feel welcome and excited about being a part of NRRI.

It was not long after that I developed the opinion that you were responsible for the functioning of CWE. No matter what the question or confusion, you were always able to figure it out, even if I didn't have a clear sense on what I was trying to ask you. Usually, you would include an explanation of how things worked in order for me to understand how to correctly do something. Even more impressively, there was never a note of impatience if the same topic came up soon after (and often again and again). Oh, and you could run away and join a circus with those juggling skills.

I have always looked forward to stopping by your desk when in Duluth. You are the epitome of class and dignity and although I have long been amazed by the work you do, I truly admire you as a person. Your beauty was evident at our first meeting and I deeply appreciate all that you do and the manner in which you do it. Thank you so very much!

I wish you the very best in your retirement and on your next path. I can only imagine what you will accomplish outside of work with all the energy, skills, and talent that have been used for our benefit the past 20 years.


Best wishes, and huge thank yous,
amy