Interview with Dick "Dad" Glanzer
Monday, February 2, 2009
In his first public interview since 2006, Dad talks about expansions to the Dick's Garage business, excitement for the big wedding this fall, delivering a baby, and annoying barnyard animals.
Hello Dad, how are you today?
Well I guess I'm about the same as any other day. The usual aches and pains and now it"s time to have a drink or two and call it a day.
What sort of chores did you accomplish today?
I usually start out the morning with some kind of paper work, that may be for the shop or farm or getting tax stuff in order. Then I bought another car, I got the cows and calves fed, then Alex and I had to fix a front tire on the tractor, then it was shop work this afternoon which included working on a Ford Probe, then we loaded some carpet in to Alex's pickup to take down to Jordan tomorrow for their basement. Now I'm waiting for your mother to get supper on the table while I'm having my second brandy sour.
In the last 29 years, Dick's Garage has remained relatively unchanged. Any plans to upgrade the shop one day?
Yes, as a matter of fact there is. With Alex here full time doing body work and me trying to do some mechanic work, there just isn't enough room for everything anymore. We have a rough plan and are waiting for some bids on doing an expansion sometime next year....I hope. The shop is 1600 sq ft right now and we would like to add on another 3600 sq ft.
Last time you were interviewed in 2006, you went through one of the worst ever crop seasons. How did 2008 turn out?
The crops were good this year but were rather hard to get out of the field. Mother nature gave us quite a challenge this fall but we got everything done. The prices were decent too, but they needed to be to cover the higher expenses.
What are your thoughts as we approach eight months to my and Lauren's wedding?
My thoughts???? Well, first of all I think you two were made for each other. I expect the reception to be anything but boring. I'll have to make sure that we have everything in order so we can spend a few days in the big city. I'm looking forward to it.
The last and only time I remember you being cleanly shaven was once in the mid-90s and the family seemed to laugh at your new look. Do you think you'll ever go back to that look?
If I am diagnosed with cancer and lose all my hair from the treatments or I lose a lot of weight to get rid of my double chin, that's probably the only way.
When Lauren and I move at the end of February, it will be the 15th time I've moved since I left home for college in 2001. How many different places have you lived?
Well let's see.....born and raised here on the farm....Move #1- Watertown to Lake Area Vo-Tech......Move #2-Huron to work at DesLauriers and Hawks Chevrolet......Move #3-back here to the farm in the original old house with Mom and Dad working on the farm and opening the new shop (Dick's Garage).....Move #4- about 100' away in to a trailer house with my new bride (your Mom).....Move #5-about 100' back to the old house again because our family is getting to big for a trailer house.....Then move #6, and I hope the last one. In to the new house where we are today.
Have you ever truly been stumped while trying to do automobile repair?
Oh yea, quite often, I'm sure glad we have internet and I'm able to do research from time to time.
What do you think you were doing on this date in 1979?
Hell I don't know. I can't remember what I did last week. I do know I would have been in Watertown partying, I mean studying.
What is the maddest you've ever been at a farm animal?
There's been plenty of times I know. I guess maybe one that sticks in my mind would be when we had sheep. We were lambing and I had a ewe in a pen with her lambs. Every time I walked in to the barn she would be out runnung around instead of with her lambs. I would chase her in again and pen her up. One day when she was out I had enough and took after her with a pitch fork. I don't know why I was holding the pitch fork with the tines facing me, but I was. Anyway I somehow wound up with a pitch fork tine stuck in my leg. That might have been about the maddest I,ve been.
What would be your idea of a very relaxing day?
All the work is caught up and it's a nice day, let's say about 80 or 85 degrees, no wind or bugs and sitting by a lake with a beer,,,,or something like that.
I work a solid 40 hour week at MB and the occasional 8-10 weekend hours of DJing. If you had to guess, what sort of "hours-per-week" do you think you work between farming and Dick's Garage?
I'd say at least 60.
Who were your date(s) for high school proms?
I didn't really have a date. I just went through the grand march with classmates.
How did you know how to deliver a baby when you were forced to deliver Jordan in 1984 at that parsonage?
Well you said it, I was forced to. I don't know that I actually did know how. You just do what you have to.
Do you go ice fishing anymore? Back in the 90s it seemed like we went quite often.
I haven't been ice fishing in years.
Are you still considering getting that Lasik eye surgery? In the previous interview in 2006 you were definitely considering it.
I don't know. Maybe someday
What are your thoughts on getting a new dog to replace the deceased Simba?
That decision is out of my hands. Your mother will have a new dog within a few months I'm sure.
Have you ever spent any time as a patient in a hospital?
Yes, once when I got my tonsils out and once when I had pneumonia.
When do you think you will retire?
Probably never
What is your favorite food?
I eat most anything. I guess I like beef.
What is your favorite all-time band/music group?
It's hard to pick just one. Lynyrd Skynyrd, Bad Co.,Boston, AC/DC. Lots of good music in the 70's.
Who is the most likely neighbor to stop by the farm on any given day?
Jim O.
Well, thanks for joining us today. I am running out of ideas for questions. Any closing remarks?
That seemed like a lot of questions. I'm getting tired of typing with two fingers so that's it for now.
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