Bob the builder retires

Retired builder and town footpath repair veteran Bob Drysdale has great advice for any Wairoa residents who might be grumpy while their pavement’s being repaired.

“It might be that you can’t put your car away, or get into your driveway… but if you can find an alternative place to put your car for one night….you’ll get a beautiful pathway as a result!”

Bob retired from QRS last week and has left a legacy of good workmanship and good memories. He used to be site supervisor at Wairoa Landfill and has been with QRS for nearly 20 years. Always friendly and happy Bob looked after lots of concrete jobs. He was a handy truck driver and also worked on fences, retaining walls, and guard rails.

“He loved a laugh and was always willing to go the extra mile,” says colleague Mike Wilson. “Nothing was a problem for Bob.” Mike  paid tribute to the input Bob had with training and helping younger men and women on the job.

On his departure, Bob admits he’s no spring chicken and despite a triple bypass he always wanted to “go for as long as I can stand up.”

With eyes twinkling into a smile Bob says he was reminded how old he was the other day when he had to use an online form. “I had to click on one of those dropdown boxes to fill in my date of birth and my year just about wasn’t there!”

One of the last jobs Bob worked on was the roading project out to Rocket Lab. The team at QRS reckon he’s gone out with a bang and wish Bob a well-deserved and happy retirement.

19 June 2020

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