Mr. Stephen Decker was born in Baltimore, Md., and spent his youth in historic Frederick, Md. The family moved to Allentown in 1963 where his father was a supervisor for Cook Coffee.

Stephen graduated from William Allen High School in 1969 and pursued a very interesting career. First stop was employment with S&H Green Stamps (remember them?) in their premium warehouse for $60 a week.

Next it was delivering milk for Freeman's Dairy (Best by Test), where the hours for the six-day week were usually 3:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. or until deliveries were completed. His mechanical abilities were utilized when he was later hired as chief mechanic at a Catasauqua service station.

Mr. Decker's cement odyssey started at the National Portland Cement Company. The Northampton County company declared bankruptcy in 1975. Sadly, many old-time cement workers, some with 40 to 50 years of service, were given a meager $108 monthly pension check.

The production manager at Hercules (Buzzi Unicem), Richard Carney, called Mr. Decker and offered him employment. He was elated when he was hired in 1975.

His Hercules tenure started as a laborer, progressing to equipment operator, duster collector man, machinist and presently store keeper. He especially recalls a position no longer found at cement plants.

"In my early years at the plant I was a roof cleaner. With my buddy, we removed cement coated on the roofs of the plant's buildings," he said. "We used jack hammers to remove years of accumulation on the roof every day – boiling summer heat, freezing winter days."

They wore harnesses to protect them from falling.

"The job was considered hazardous and there was time-and-half pay for the job," he said. "Doing the work proved you were a real cement worker."

In 2008, Stephen became the plant store keeper.

"We are responsible for purchasing, receiving and issuing millions of dollars of inventory each year;" he said. "It's both challenging and stressful."

His coworker is Mr. Danny Schleg, a fine former student of this writer. Both of these men have a keen mechanical ability which enables them to help the plant operate in a safe and efficient manner.

"I'll be retiring at the end of January," Mr. Decker said with a smile on his face. "I truly enjoyed my years here, especially working with my supervisors and fellow coworkers. They have always exhibited a cooperative attitude, the comradery has been great."

Stephen has been married to the former Linda Swoyer for 22 years. He is proud of daughters Deanna and Jessica.

Quite proficient with his guitar he played in the rock group "Call Back" at many local venues. He owns five guitars.

The Deckers reside in Allentown and are avid New York Yankee fans. Mr. Decker is a friendly gentleman, a dedicated 37-year cement worker, who will be missed at the Stockertown plant. We wish him a long and healthy retirement. He earned it!

To all my good friends, management and employees at Buzzi Unicem, we all look forward to a safe year and improved economy in 2013.