For over four decades, Troy Nelson has been involved in delivering mail to people’s doorsteps for the United States Postal Service. However, after 41 years Nelson is just a few short days away from delivering his last bit of mail. It’s time to retire. “My official last day on the books is Apri l 30, but my last physical day is April 25,” Nelson said Monday morning. It’s been a long road to this point for the area native, who graduated from Hayfield High School in 1981. After taking the civil service test in high school, Nelson moved to the Twin Cities for two and a half years before being offered a position with the Post Office in February of 1984. He was a clerk for about five years before transferring to the carrier side where he’s been since March of 1989. During his time in the Post Office, Nelson’s career touched on several areas within the system that included being the acting postmaster in Rose Creek, Brownsdale and Elkton after retirements at those sites, as well as serving union roles that included two years as president of the Austin branch, state secretary for four years in the Minnesota State Association of Letter Carriers and seven years as state treasurer. “That’s just me,” he said about being so involved. “I just care about people and I like to work with people.” Having Nelson at the Austin branch has been a luxury for Postmaster Jason Berning, who has admired Nelson’s work ethic day in and day out. “Troy is very reliable. He brings stability and looks forward to coming to work every day,” Berning said. “He makes my job easier. He’s just going to come and get it done.” “He’s going to be missed,” Berning added. For a large amount of his time with the Post Office here in Austin, Nelson has delivered mail in the northeastern part of Austin on the north side of the interstate. And after so many years, the notes he’s received from people on his route have been evidence of the devotion he shows to those he brings the mail to. “I’ve been able to really stay in touch. Some people like to stay in touch and some people don’t,” Nelson said. “The people that really need that, especially the ones that have lost their husband or a wife — I like to check on them and make sure they are doing okay.” “If you’re having a bad day you pull those out and read those,” he added, referring to the note. That kind of approach to work can have an impact on the Post Office itself, Berning said. “If the new people emulate Troy’s career we’re going to be just fine,” Berning said. “He was wanting to show people coming in that there is a light at the end of the tunnel and there is a happy ending and you can have a successful career.” Another thing that’s been a constant across his career has been change, something that has been incredibly visible through automation. Back when Nelson first started, he remembered having to sort the mail in house, which oftentimes became hectic at certain times during the year, like Christmas. Now, the mail comes presorted by delivery order in the Twin Cities before even getting to Austin. Even the time clock has come with changes. “Just all of the automation,” Nelson agreed. While Nelson is retiring from the Post Office, he certainly doesn’t have any plans of slowing down. He’s already secured a funeral assistant position with Worlein-Hoff Funeral Home and is working to be accepted as a para-professional within the Austin Public Schools District. “I like being around people,” Nelson said. “I care about people and if I can help them, I will.” Berning has no doubt that Nelson will make a difference. “Wherever he ends up, they’re going to have a good employee,” he said. In the meantime, Nelson can look back on his career and thank a long list of people who have helped him and supported him in getting this far, including but certainly not limited to, his wife Lisa, daughter Lauren, parents Dennis and Diane and Berning himself. Summing it up, Nelson points to the back of a silver dollar, one of many he collects, where it says “In God We Trust.” “That’s just a reminder to be thankful for the blessings that I’ve had,” Nelson said. “There are a lot of people to be thanked that have gotten me to this point.” The post First Class: After 41 years of delivering mail, Troy Nelson to retire with fond memories of the job and people appeared first on Austin Daily Herald. ...read more read less