HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Hutchinson City Manager John Deardoff’s last day is Friday.
Despite the weather, vehicles from all of the city departments threw a little surprise for him by holding a parade. The vehicles included law enforcement, Public Works and the Hutchinson Fire Department.
All drove down B Avenue in front of city hall with horns and sirens while Deardoff stood under an umbrella and acknowledged those passing by.
Deardoff has been city manager for Hutchinson for the past 15 years.
Deardoff also wanted to provide a letter to the people of the city of Hutchinson:
May 8, 2020
Re: Letter to Hutch Post
Dear Hutchinson Community:
Well, this is not exactly how I planned my retirement goodbye. The original plan was the traditional community reception allowing me the opportunity to personally thank the community and a lot of people I have worked with over the past 15 years. Must admit writing this letter will be easier emotionally on me than the traditional retirement reception. One thing for sure, I will never forget my last 45 days in the profession.
I wanted to take this opportunity to thank the Hutch Community for allowing me to serve you these past 15 years as the City Manager. Looking back over my 40-year city management career it is hard to believe how quickly time has passed, but when you truly enjoy what you are doing whatever that might be time will fly.
I have been extremely blessed over my career to have served the cities of Sterling, Dodge City and Hutchinson. I think there is a time in everyone’s career when you just have a feeling it is time to move into another life phase. Now is a good time for me. People often ask me what I will miss most about leaving. Couple things come to mind. The daily interaction with all my co-workers within the City and the walk up to the front door of city hall each morning thinking about the opportunities and challenges ahead for the day. It is a good feeling knowing a lot of people rely on you to do the right thing and make good things happen. I want people to know that every day I came to work, I was committed to do my part in making Hutchinson a place people want to live, work and play. Were we always perfect? Heck no, no one is in this world.
The time has arrived for me to enjoy some free time with my awesome wife Jerri who has been nothing short of amazing during our 38 years of marriage. A person once told me when searching for the perfect wife, "find someone much better than you and convince the hell out of them to spend the rest of their life with you." I was lucky to be able to do just that. Jerri and I plan to remain in Hutchinson, enjoy some travel and lots of time with my three daughters Lindsay, Lacey, Taylor and their families which include two grandkids and a third on the way. In addition to fun time, I plan to dabble in some consulting work which will allow me to stay engaged with my profession for a few more years.
I have lived most of my life in Hutchinson. Spent my high school and college years living here, 5 years as the ACM and the past 15 as city manager, so Hutchinson is home. In 2014, our middle daughter Lacey was critically hurt after being hit by a car in Overland Park, KS. During those difficult days after the accident and months of recovery, this Hutchinson community was nothing short of amazing. The support for Lacey and our family is something our family and I will never forget. No matter where our journey takes us, Hutchinson is home and always will be for the Deardoffs.
Sincerely
John Deardoff
Hutchinson City Manager