Forty years ago, Rodger Henderson started an after-school job of washing cars at Lake City Ford in 100 Mile House, working his way up to mechanic to managerial positions and finally to dealer principal.
On Jan. 13, Henderson retired.
"I started the job in March of 1971 washing cars after school and on Saturdays," says Henderson.
"In December of that year, I was apprenticing as a mechanic there."
He adds the service manager Rod Hammer had asked him what he wanted to do with his life and suggested he get into the apprenticeship program.
Born in Springhill, Nova Scotia, the Henderson family moved to Lac la Hache when Rodger was three and has been in this area ever since.
In 1993, Henderson along with Jim French bought 40 per cent of Lake City Ford in 100 Mile House. In 1995, they bought it outright and started Sunrise Ford.
"I've had lots of good times there," Henderson says.
"I've done everything from service manager to sales manager at that place; [I haven't been] parts manager."
He adds there were just too many numbers with the parts manager position.
Henderson ended his career as the body shop manager.
"I plan on doing a lot of travelling from flying to boating to driving across Canada."
He has some toys he will put to use now that he has the time, including his plane, which he plans to fly to the territories - Northwest Territories, Nunavut, and Yukon - and Northern British Columbia.
"I don't have a bucket list. I have a barrel list."
