By: NICOLAS FIERRO
Salina Post
Working hard is an understatement for a Salina man. After 40 years of working with all of his heart, soul and might, Stewart Merrick has retired from work at the Smoky Hill Health and Rehabilitation center.
Originally from Pennsylvania, moved to Kansas City when he was 2, to Belleville, then to Salina, Merrick is known for his never ending hard-working spirit, attitude and love for people. His journey of service work has been one that is selfless, hardly taking any days off and without any excuses.
On Tuesday, June 19th Merrick retired from the Smoky Hill Health and Rehabilitation center as a Floor Technician after 40 years. His employees and residents always spoke highly of him and even tears ran down from his supervisor's face, Tracey Jordan.
"I have been blessed to work alongside Stewart," said Jordan (as she was in tears). "He never once disrespected me, we worked great together, he is very reliable and was always loyal and dedicated. I see him as a brother."
Jordan worked alongside Merrick for 30 years and comments that he would 'come in at nights and always did the little things right.'
Work ethic and genuine love for others
Merrick was known for his work ethic and genuine love for others. Before Merrick applied for the rehabilitation center, he lived with his father at a motel that his dad owned, while doing construction work on the side. Merrick stated he started doing construction/concrete work when was in junior high. His father ended up selling the motel and Merrick then moved to Salina, where his journey at the rehab center started.
Merrick began his work at the rehab center by cleaning floors for a part-time position. However, Merrick stated he worked around 80-100 hours every two weeks. He also accepted a part-time job where he cleaned at the old Salina Journal location.
After countless hours of service work at the Journal and the rehab center, Merrick commented that his physical health started to decline. He realized he was experiencing some heart complications and was diagnosed with Afib (Atrial Fibrillation). Merrick joined a group where they assisted people with Afib and also joined a group with people that were diagnosed with diabetes. Merrick stated that doctors even told him to that he needed to 'slack off' from working so hard. But despite his health complications, Merrick still had the will to work.
He talked about how his father taught him how to work and that it is difficult for him to stop from working hard.
"That is just how I was taught how to work and I can probably still outdue 20 year olds," said Merrick. "When you were taught how to work, it is hard to retrain yourself to stop working so hard."
When Merrick started working full-time at the rehab center, he continued to clean floors on top of, windows, dining rooms, basement and the rest of the building.
Merrick's why
Working for retirees and others is something that Merrick was never new to before working at the Smoky Hill Health and Rehabilitation center. He commented how he did alot of work for retirees during his time in Belleville and started to grow a love for service work before coming to Salina.
"Here (Salina) some of the residents do not like being here, but they have to be, so you got to make them feel glad and keep them from not getting depressed," said Merrick. "I love it here, I love the residents, I have fun and love to keep them laughing."
He talks about how when one of the residents at the rehab center passes away, that he 'remembers the memories they made.' Merrick's love for people was what allowed him to do the quality of work he put in daily, instead of doing it solely for a paycheck.
"Work because you want to work and do it for the love of the of the people," said Merrick. "It is not that hard to work and nowadays kids want do it for a paycheck, but they do not want to work. It is good feeling for me to work for these people here."
Merrick talked about how he will still visit residents at the rehab center by giving them cards that his mother makes. He also said he is willing to voluntarily work at the rehab center if someone is taking days off, so they are not short of staff.
His wife, Barb Merrick also works at the rehab center as a kitchen dietary aide and has done so for 39 years (40 years in October). Merrick met Barb at the rehab center before they got married in 1988. Stewart started working at the rehab center in June of 1985 and Barb started in October that same year.
"It is going to be alot different now that I am retired," said Merrick. "My body says it is time."
Merrick will be spending time with his dog 'Chewie,' as he will continue to do work around his house.
He has missed only about 4 months total of work through his 40 years at the Smoky Hill Health and Rehabilitation center.