2023 RETA Breeze Jan-Feb

IN REMEMBRANCE

In December, the SEPA Chapter and RETA lost one of their own. It is with a heavy heart, that I share with you that the Vice President of the SEPA Chapter passed away unexpectedly after suffering a medical event at our December chapter meeting. Kevin passed away peacefully with his wife Gina at his side on Wednesday morning, December 14, 2022. Kevin was a true example of someone having the RETA heart, he loved RETA and being part of the RETA Family. He loved RETA and what we, as an organization, are doing for the safety and education of the operators in our industry and was proud to admit it. Kevin most recently worked for Albertsons in Denver, PA as the Facility Maintenance Supervisor and proudly sported his CIRO certification. He was always eager to lend a hand and was a critical part of the annual SEPA Expo that the chapter holds every April. In fact, we challenge anyone to present someone that could sell more raffle tickets than Kevin; we always joked that he missed his calling as a salesman.

In honor and memory of Kevin, the SEPA Chapter will be conducting CPR training at our February meeting as well as honoring him at our Expo in April. Kevin leaves a giant hole in our hearts and will be greatly missed. The RETA family mourns together, but also celebrates him for who he was, both within RETA as and a devoted family man. Kevin was RETA Proud and so are we. We offer our prayers of strength and guidance to Kevin’s family, and I know we can all smile knowing that Kevin is keeping an eye on that ‘Heavenly Engine Room’. Lastly, I’d like to leave you with one final thought as I know we are all busy and stressed. I encourage you to make sure that you take the time to let your loved ones and friends know how important they are and what they mean to you, life is short and precious and we never know when we will be called home and then it is too late. Submitted by Michael Hawkins SEPA Chapter committee member and RETA National Executive Vice President

18 RETA.com