The three Republicans seeking the office of Cole County clerk all share a common thread: They are retired or retiring and their favorite getaway is the outdoors.
The three Republican candidates on the Aug. 5 primary ballot are: Patty Bates, Rik Combs and Steve Korsmeyer. The winner of that race will face Democrat Susan Cook in the Nov. 4 general election.
Bates enjoys outdoor activities
If you are wanting to find Patty Bates, you just need to look outside.
She and her husband, Darrel, enjoy a variety of activities including, fishing, bow hunting and rifle hunting.
"We love to go out to Colorado and hunt for elk," she said. "Spending time with family and friends, whether it be on the lake or out hunting, that's what we enjoy the most."
For many years, Patty played softball and was good enough to get a scholarship to play at Lincoln University.
"I played catcher for teams at all levels and really enjoyed it," she said.
Now retired from working at MoDOT, Patty looks back at her time on the job with fond memories.
"I was the first woman to work on the road maintenance crews," she said. "I really enjoyed working there. I met a lot of great people there. The best part of the job was getting a customer issue and being able to figure it out and have them happy. I enjoyed my interaction with the customers. It may be three o'clock in the afternoon and I would get a customer with a problem in Rolla so I would take off and go there. It means a lot to those folks to get something done quick instead of waiting a day or two."
Combs likes to travel, hunt, fish
A retired officer from the U.S. Air Force who reached the rank of colonel, Rik Combs served 21 years.
He flew F-15s and served in both Gulf Wars. He also served in Kosovo, Iraq and Afghanistan.
"The burning oil wells over Kuwait is an indelible image that will stay with me forever," Combs said. "My father was a career Air Force officer so I'm second generation."
Combs' wife, Jill, grew up in the Jefferson City area, is a veterinarian at Westside Veterinary Clinic, and her family is still here so Combs said they decided to come here to make their home.
"We looked at a lot of different places, and I don't know of a better place to live, work and raise our daughter," he said.
Combs said he and his family like to travel, hunt and fish and go to Kansas City Chiefs football games.
"Pheasant hunting is our real passion," he said. "My wife's family always goes to northwest Iowa for hunting."
Combs said he has had a lifetime of public service and wants to continue to do that.
Korsmeyer says he farms for fun
Steve Korsmeyer is looking for a change.
After being involved with Blackwell's Garage for 34 years, owning the business since buying it from his father-in-law Bernie Kempker in 1986, Korsmeyer is retiring.
"My mechanics are retiring this year so we're looking at selling the business," he said. "It's hard to find mechanics. Somebody will have to start over and begin a new tradition. I think I've paid my dues so I'm ready to head in a different direction. It's something I love, and it's been good to us. It'll be hard to leave."
Korsmeyer said many people think his way of having fun is actually more work.
"I farm for fun," he said. "It's my stress reliever. We've had land just outside of St. Thomas for 15 years. We cut hay, plant crops, have cattle and love to fix fences. It's a getaway from all the phones; it is a real stress reliever. The family helps out. Between Blackwell's and our home and our farm, that is our life."
Korsmeyer said they recently built a new house and are working a lot there.
"The kids have their life, so many times we get to enjoy our grandkids," he laughed.
Korsmeyer said he and his family plan to spend the rest of their lives here.
"The area is very friendly and family oriented," he said. "There used to be not a lot to do, and now it seems there are things all the time, and that's great."