In March 1977, Fred Rademan came to work at the Jefferson City Parks and Recreation Department after going from job to job.
"I thought it'd be like everywhere else and I'd only be here a short time and now it's been over 37 years," he laughed.
Rademan has been involved in every aspect of maintenance in the department over those years, from brush-hogging to helping to build some of the latest playgrounds in the parks.
"I helped build the new ball fields at Binder and that was a big project," he said. "I also was involved in maintenance at the ice arena from when they went from an air bubble to a metal building. I'm also helping in the setting up and tearing down for the downtown events, like the Fourth of July and Thursday night live."
The fact things change so frequently on the job is what Rademan says has kept him with the department these many years.
"You're never doing one thing for a long time," he said. "It's also the people here. From the part-timers to my bosses, I've been able to get along with everybody."
In the past, Rademan said he did a lot of fishing when he was off, but for the past several years he's been spending his free time buying old homes and remodeling them.
"I do the Sheetrock, plumbing and other interior work," he said. "It's been really fun the past few years with my grandson since he's old enough now to help me. I want to try and get him trained to where he can do this type of work and be able to set his own schedule."
"Working for the parks department is also fun so I get to see my grandson and granddaughter get to enjoy what we have," Rademan added. "I sometimes wonder if people realize what we have here. I know the kids really have it made with what has been put in the past few years."