Quietly competent. Grounded. Unassuming. Intelligent. Soft spoken. These are just some of the attributes that Hanover Engineering's Jim Birdsall has displayed in his decades as a professional engineer. Now a new word can be used to describe him. Retired.

Birdsall served in his last meeting as Hanover Township's engineer July 22. This 1965 Lehigh University engineering grad will continue to work, but only on a part-time basis. He began work at Hanover Engineering, an employee-owned firm in 1971, and eventually became its president.

He made sure to tell Hanover Township supervisors they were "on target" before leaving. That's their unofficial motto.

Birdsall said that over the years what has impressed him most is the dedication of the various municipal officials with whom he's worked. "It's wonderful to see the volunteers," he said. "They're giving from their heart."

An Elder at the First Presbyterian Church of Bethlehem, Birdsall's deep faith is a quiet source of inspiration. "The blessings we have we shall share," he said with a faint smile.