Concluding a Career of Service

Paul Westhoff

 Paul Westhoff, CDOT Resident Engineer for southeast Colorado, came to the end of the road, you might say, with his retirement party held at the Division of Parks and Wildlife headquarters in Lamar this past Friday, March 28. 

“I started part time in the summer of 1979 without too much of an idea of what I was getting into,” Westhoff told the gathering of about 50 friends, workmates and family who came out to wish him well and drop off several coffee percolators as going-away gifts.   There were various humorous anecdotes about past times on the job, relayed by staff and members of the public, as well as several official tones about the serious nature of the work performed by Westhoff during his 30+ years employed by the Colorado Department of Transportation.   

Gathering for Westhoff Retirement Celebration

Westhoff’s commitment to his community was also addressed, noting his involvement with local boy scout troops, his church and support to the military.  He was presented with a U.S. Navy coin issued by the Emergency Preparedness League.  Westhoff, also recounted some of his early days with CDOT, paying tribute to Bruce MacDonald who had served this area several years ago.  He also noted some of the contractors who were on hand, declaring with humor that, “some of you have offered bigger experiences than some others.”  Westhoff said he’ll be employed by a Denver based firm in the future, providing management and engineering expertise for various construction projects.

By Russ Baldwin