Bob Schuur, who started at Lee Memorial Hospital in 1957 during his senior year of high school, retired April 30 after a record 55 years.

The radiology technologist (RT) initially asked for a job to pay his dad’s hospital bill after George passed away at 47 that February.

He did odd jobs, such as washing windows, then worked in housekeeping.

Attending First Christian Church, priests and nuns initially “petrified” him.

Originally from Dowagiac, the Schuurs lived in South Bend for two years while George laid blocks and bricks for masonry projects.

He attended Andrews University in Berrien Springs, then passed his state boards to become an RT 42 years ago.

“I never hated going to work, even in the middle of the night. I liked what I was doing,” said Schuur, senior member of Dowagiac City Council, representing Second Ward since 1985. He ran originally over a variance installing a wrought iron fence around his Victorian home.

Though it might seem he never worked anywhere but the hospital, Schuur one summer toiled at Rudy’s by day and at Lee by night while saving to buy a car.

If you hadn’t been an RT, what would you have done? I went to school for a while to become a teacher.

If you had a million dollars, what would you do with it? Buy Lee Mansion and live in it with my collections.

What don’t most people know about you? That I’m a serious collector. Donna (his wife of 12 years) thinks I’m a hoarder.
His postcards and Dowagiac memorabilia (a word he detests) have been well-documented, but four years ago he started collecting M&Ms chocolate candies dispensers. He has 800. He also has more than 1,000 Charming Tails mice figurines and poppies. For his birthday May 18, a friend delighted him with a stapler from Biek Coal Co. on Railroad Street picked up for $2 at a yard sale.

Favorite food: strawberries

Favorite TV show: “Antique Roadshow”

Dream vacation: The Biltmore

The mansion in Asheville, N.C., built by George Washington Vanderbilt II between 1889 and 1895, is the largest privately-owned home in the United States, with 135,000 square feet and 250 rooms.
Schuur has been six times, but would like to spend a year as a tour guide.

Pet peeve: Profanity when it’s not needed. The other thing is buying somebody a meal and they nibble a couple of bites and don’t take the rest with them.

Advice: Be happy in all things you do and make the best of life.

What would you want on your tombstone: He served the city well.