ALBANY - Keith Ingwell didn't want a lot of fuss and fanfare when he announced his retirement at the veterans dinner, Saturday at the Albany Lions Club.
After almost 32 years, Ingwell will retire as Green County Veterans Service officer at the end of November. He told people he was going to retire, but he warned them not to make a big deal about it.
Veterans stood and applauded when they learned the long-time officer was retiring.
Ingwell smiled a little, swallowed hard and quietly said, "thank you."
His co-workers and friends couldn't let his retirement pass by without saying something about his service to Green County veterans.
Tom Brewer, New Glarus, a Vietnam war veteran who moved to Green County a few years ago, wasn't too impressed with other veterans' offices, but soon found he had someone he could talk with when he first met Ingwell, also a Vietnam war veteran.
"The first day I met him, it was like meeting a family member," he said. "I respected his knowledge and you knew he cared about veterans."
Brewer considers Ingwell a close friend who will be missed.
"The whole county is going miss him," Brewer said.
Chris Beer has worked in the Veterans Service office for about 10 years. She said Ingwell has worked with countless veterans over the years, and has seen him provide direction for veterans who weren't sure where they could go for assistance.
"He's touched a lot of lives," she said. "He's gone above and beyond to help veterans."
Beer said she'll miss working with Ingwell.
"I couldn't ask for a better boss. He's not just a boss, he's also a friend."
Mike Furgal, chairman of the Green County Veterans Service office and Emergency Management Committee, has worked with Ingwell for 20 years.
"He's been an advocate for veterans," Furgal said. "We're sorry to see him go."
After almost 32 years, Ingwell will retire as Green County Veterans Service officer at the end of November. He told people he was going to retire, but he warned them not to make a big deal about it.
Veterans stood and applauded when they learned the long-time officer was retiring.
Ingwell smiled a little, swallowed hard and quietly said, "thank you."
His co-workers and friends couldn't let his retirement pass by without saying something about his service to Green County veterans.
Tom Brewer, New Glarus, a Vietnam war veteran who moved to Green County a few years ago, wasn't too impressed with other veterans' offices, but soon found he had someone he could talk with when he first met Ingwell, also a Vietnam war veteran.
"The first day I met him, it was like meeting a family member," he said. "I respected his knowledge and you knew he cared about veterans."
Brewer considers Ingwell a close friend who will be missed.
"The whole county is going miss him," Brewer said.
Chris Beer has worked in the Veterans Service office for about 10 years. She said Ingwell has worked with countless veterans over the years, and has seen him provide direction for veterans who weren't sure where they could go for assistance.
"He's touched a lot of lives," she said. "He's gone above and beyond to help veterans."
Beer said she'll miss working with Ingwell.
"I couldn't ask for a better boss. He's not just a boss, he's also a friend."
Mike Furgal, chairman of the Green County Veterans Service office and Emergency Management Committee, has worked with Ingwell for 20 years.
"He's been an advocate for veterans," Furgal said. "We're sorry to see him go."