Kaufman retires after 44 years at Millersburg Tire
Brad Schmucker of Millersburg Tire Service presented Steve Kaufman and his wife Lillian with an all-expense paid Hawaii trip as part of the retirement party on Friday, June 3. Kaufman receives a hug from Brittany Schmucker, MTS vice president and treasurer.
Steve Kaufman may not have shared the Schmucker last name connected to the Millersburg Tire Service ownership family, but after 44 years of loyal service to the company, he feels like that family aspect is exactly what he will take away from his experience there following his retirement bash on Friday, June 3.
“Feeling like part of the family, that is what I looked forward to for the past 44 years, and for the most part, it has been a wonderful experience,” said Kaufman, whose quiet demeanor would have preferred simply walking off into the sunset with no fanfare. “Millersburg Tire and its people have been my second family for a long, long time.”
Kaufman greeted many well-wishers who came in through the front door of the Millersburg dealership, sharing memories and soaking up the joy of building relationships, the driving force behind his time at MTS.
After 44 years Kaufman has become a staple at the front desk at MTS, where his smiling face and easy demeanor welcomed people and made them feel at home.
“I’ll be out in the public, and people will call me by name because they associate me with Millersburg Tire, and that is how they have gotten to know me,” Kaufman said. “Building those types of relationships is what has been a blessing for me.”
Kaufman began his career at MTS in 1978 as a tire changer making $2 an hour. From there he progressed into sales and then into a part-time management position.
“I’ve always felt that I would do whatever was asked of me and do it willingly with a good attitude,” Kaufman said.
He said he and his wife Lillian will now look forward to spending more time with their children and grandchildren and look forward to doing some extensive traveling. Part of that will be an all-expenses paid vacation to Hawaii, courtesy of MTS ownership, which presented Kaufman with the gift as part of the celebratory day.
“It looks as though we’ll be headed to Hawaii,” Kaufman said. “I’m looking forward to golfing more and finding places to volunteer my time.”
MTS owner Brad Schmucker said he was emotional on his way to work, knowing this was the last day Kaufman would officially be a part of the team.
“A lot of emotions go into a day like this because Steve and I have worked together for so long,” Schmucker said. “We started out as tire brothers, and now we are just tired brothers. Between the two of us, we have almost 100 years here. But time marches on, and I am glad Steve can walk away on his own terms.”
He talked about all the funny moments that have taken place with Kaufman and customers over the years, and he has been one of those employees who any boss would love to have.
“He’s been loyal, and I wish I could find about another dozen Steves to hire,” Schmucker said.
Schmucker said the two of them have been at the tire business together for so long they oftentimes have the same thoughts about different aspects of the company and in talking tires. Kaufman eventually took over the tire ordering aspect of the business from Schmucker.
“The knowledge that Steve brought to the game, you just don’t find it in a book. It only comes through experience, and he has done an incredible job here as part of our family. The business wouldn’t be what it is today without him. It’s been a good ride,” Schmucker said.
Letting go of such an integral part of the company is not easy, and Schmucker said they want Kaufman to perhaps utilize his talents in a part-time role when needed.
“We did give him a company computer in hopes that he might work from home a little,” Schmucker said.