I am sorry to learn of Kurt’s passing. I regarded him as a friend and mentor. Kurt hired me after I graduated from the University of Georgia. One time I found my drawing examples he had asked me to bring to my interview. I remember telling Kurt how good the drawings were. They were awful! I asked Kurt, “how did you keep from laughing?” He replied, “Well, I knew you were trainable.” I appreciate Kurt taking a chance with me. I was honored when he retired, he sent me his material handling notebook. I sure miss Kurt.
This is a note I wrote to Kurt a couple years ago and Kurt’s reply.
From: Nafziger, Tim D
Sent: Friday, July 22, 2016 7:21 AM
To: Kurt Penka
Subject: Anniversary
Kurt:
Just wanted to say thanks. Thanks for giving me a chance when you hired me 40 years ago this month. Thanks for seeing that I could be taught. Thanks for giving me opportunities to learn new things like roll handling, sheeting, etc. Thanks for giving me opportunity to work on developing computer calculations and CAD for material handling projects. Thanks for putting up with me as I learned to work with people. (I am hard-headed at times and continue to learn.) Thank you for trusting me. Thanks for being a friend and mentor.
Tim Nafziger PE
Senior Staff Engineer
Amec Foster Wheeler
Power & Process Americas
400 Executive Center Dr
Ste 200
Greenville, SC USA
I really appreciate your kind words and thoughts, but I only did what I was supposed to do, that is to give everyone in my care a chance to learn and develop their god given talents. Well, that sounds a little paternalistic; as Jim Tucker reminded me sometimes not to try to be a father figure to you younger guys. But you jumped at opportunities as they came up and did so at your own initiative, that’s the difference.
My own chances to acquire experiences came in the form of field construction jobs. I was young and single and ready to go anywhere at short notice. It seems many of the locations were in cold climates where construction and operating methods were difficult, but again it was a chance to learn.
I wish you and your family good health and happiness, and thanks again for your message!
Liebe Angehörige von Kurt,
möchte hiermit meine Anteilnahme zum Tod von Kurt zum Ausdruck bringen. Es tut mir sehr leid!
Ich kann mich noch so gut erinnern, als er immer ins Büro von Horst kam und nach meiner Familie fragte.
Ich habe gerne mit ihm geplaudert. Er möge in Frieden ruhen! Den Angehörigen wünsche ich Kraft und Zuversicht für die Zeit ohne Kurt. Die Erinnerung bleibt …..
Ingrid Leithner, geb. Knoll aus Rappottenstein
I am sorry to learn of Kurt’s passing. I regarded him as a friend and mentor. Kurt hired me after I graduated from the University of Georgia. One time I found my drawing examples he had asked me to bring to my interview. I remember telling Kurt how good the drawings were. They were awful! I asked Kurt, “how did you keep from laughing?” He replied, “Well, I knew you were trainable.” I appreciate Kurt taking a chance with me. I was honored when he retired, he sent me his material handling notebook. I sure miss Kurt.
This is a note I wrote to Kurt a couple years ago and Kurt’s reply.
From: Nafziger, Tim D
Sent: Friday, July 22, 2016 7:21 AM
To: Kurt Penka
Subject: Anniversary
Kurt:
Just wanted to say thanks. Thanks for giving me a chance when you hired me 40 years ago this month. Thanks for seeing that I could be taught. Thanks for giving me opportunities to learn new things like roll handling, sheeting, etc. Thanks for giving me opportunity to work on developing computer calculations and CAD for material handling projects. Thanks for putting up with me as I learned to work with people. (I am hard-headed at times and continue to learn.) Thank you for trusting me. Thanks for being a friend and mentor.
Tim Nafziger PE
Senior Staff Engineer
Amec Foster Wheeler
Power & Process Americas
400 Executive Center Dr
Ste 200
Greenville, SC USA
D +1 (864) 458-3741
M +1 (864) 918-7799
VOIP #253741
E tim.nafziger@amecfw.com
amecfw.com
Hello Tim,
I really appreciate your kind words and thoughts, but I only did what I was supposed to do, that is to give everyone in my care a chance to learn and develop their god given talents. Well, that sounds a little paternalistic; as Jim Tucker reminded me sometimes not to try to be a father figure to you younger guys. But you jumped at opportunities as they came up and did so at your own initiative, that’s the difference.
My own chances to acquire experiences came in the form of field construction jobs. I was young and single and ready to go anywhere at short notice. It seems many of the locations were in cold climates where construction and operating methods were difficult, but again it was a chance to learn.
I wish you and your family good health and happiness, and thanks again for your message!
Kurt
Liebe Angehörige von Kurt,
möchte hiermit meine Anteilnahme zum Tod von Kurt zum Ausdruck bringen. Es tut mir sehr leid!
Ich kann mich noch so gut erinnern, als er immer ins Büro von Horst kam und nach meiner Familie fragte.
Ich habe gerne mit ihm geplaudert. Er möge in Frieden ruhen! Den Angehörigen wünsche ich Kraft und Zuversicht für die Zeit ohne Kurt. Die Erinnerung bleibt …..
Ingrid Leithner, geb. Knoll aus Rappottenstein