Longtime postal worker putting stamp on retirement

SANDPOINT — After ending his 30-year career in public serivce, Mike Clark said it will be the people he will miss the most.

Until late October, Clark was a familiar face at the Sandpoint post office, delivering service, smiles and kindness as well as the mail for the past 20-plus years. It is those customers who he has gotten to know over the years that he will miss the most, he said.

“It’s been wonderful getting to know a lot of people,” Clark said.

After four years in the Air Force, Clark said juggling a young family, pre-med studies at college and working full-time wasn’t easy. When he passed the civil service test, Clark figured work at the post office would be the least disruptive to his studies but help provide for his family.

He quickly found he enjoyed the challenge and the environment and decided to make it his career, he added.

One thing after another “fell into place,” and he began his career. At first, he thought he’d return to college but found he enjoyed working with the public and helping make a difference. He decided to make the Postal Service his career and said he’s never regretted his decision to make public service his career.

As in any business, there could be challenges, but Clark said he was always thankful he had a good job and he enjoyed helping customers. It might have been helping a business ship its product in the most cost-effective and quickest manner or providing a smile to a customer going through a difficult day, he said each day offered him a way to make a difference.

However, when he had the chance to retire early, Clark said he thought about it, prayed about it and discussed it with his wife, Lori, who is a teacher in Spirit Lake. They decided the time was right and Clark retired in early late October.

It was something they had discussed off and on for a couple of years but wanted the time to be right for both of them, and for it to make sense. This fall, everything fell into place.

While retirement is giving him the chance to catch up on chores and projects, Clark said it’s the opportunities for the next chapter in his life that he is most excited about.

In addition to serving as a volunteer chaplain at Bonner General, Clark said he’s looking forward to discovering other ways to serve the community and help others. He’s also looking forward to exploring the area, hiking, kayaking and walking as well as working on his golf game.

However, it is the chance to serve God and help others that has him the most excited about retirement.

“Bottom line, I trust the Lord to show me what he has for me to do,” Clark said. “It’s a fresh start and I believe he’ll guide me into what’s best for him and me.”