Facilities and services manager Bob Effinger, who joined North Shore Bank when we acquired Maritime Savings in 2010, will retire on Monday, July 2. He took time to answer some questions from Shorelines.
Molly Schissler, SVP, HR & Compliance, said: “It’s been a great pleasure to work with Bob since he joined us as part of the Maritime acquisition as our building engineer. His experience, along with his easy style and good-natured approach to his work, contributed greatly when he took over as facilities and service manager in early 2017. I know I speak for many here, especially at the Corporate location, when I say Bob will be greatly missed. I wish him and his wife, Karen, much happiness in his retirement.”
Are there any mentors or colleagues who have been especially important to your career?
My savior Jesus Christ has been the most important mentor, partner, and friend and is the light of my life. His teachings and guidance have kept me from straying too far down the wrong path a number of times, and brought me to my decision to retire and begin a new segment of my life. The specifics have yet to be determined, but retiring is the first step in that direction.
What’s your favorite of all the changes that have taken place in your work since you started?
The multiple forms of electronic communications. Email, text, cell phones, Jabber — they make it so easy to communicate and document that communication.
And your least favorite?
The multiple forms of electronic communications! It’s so easy, the volume of incoming communications can be overwhelming at times. I’ve learned to say a quick prayer when that happens and focus on one task at a time.
What’s your favorite memory from your time at North Shore Bank?
The Monday morning in the middle of January 2012 when I walked into the Business Banking department at Corporate and there were two inches of water on the floor in the entire area. A pipe along the baseboard heating system in that area had ruptured, and all the water in the building boiler system was being emptied onto the floor.
If you hadn’t ended up here, what career path might you have taken?
When I was a kid, I dreamed of playing in the NBA. But building maintenance has been in my soul for over 30 years, so it would have been something in that area.
What advice would you give someone starting out here?
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, take a deep breath, say a little prayer to your God, and focus on completing one task at a time.
What’s next?
My wife, Karen, and I plan to spend much more time with our nine grandchildren, who all live within 45 minutes. We also plan to join the snowbird community by taking our travel trailer to warmer climates during the cold Wisconsin winter months. On top of the list is to discern what direction the good Lord has in store for us. We are looking forward to a new and exciting future.