Human resources director closes 30-year career

MOSES LAKE — Despite similarities in title, Bob West may be the antithesis of Catbert, the cat in the comic strip series "Dilbert" described as "the evil human resources director." Instead, the director of the city's Human Resources Department was recognized for his wisdom, historical knowledge of Moses Lake and three decades of dedication this week.

West, a 30-year employee of the city, retired from his post, and the city honored him in an informal ceremony at City Hall.

West said he could not imagine a job that could have provided him with more personal and professional satisfaction.

"This is as bittersweet as it could get," he said. "I am proud to have associated my career with you."

Calling him a loyal and dedicated employee to the city, City Manager Joe Gavinski said West had provided an invaluable service to the citizens and to the city employees as human resources director.

"(West's) wisdom will be sorely missed," he said.

Moses Lake Mayor Ron Covey, a friend of West's for more than 50 years, said that one might consider the retiring Wenatchee native who arrived in Moses Lake in 1951, to be the historian of the city.

"I will miss him on both a professional and personal level," he said.

Covey had the last word on his long friendship with West. After Gavinski awarded West a gift certificate to Amazon.com, Covey presented him with a set of keys on a Corvette key ring.

"So, where is (the car)?" West asked.

"Oh, no, those are just the keys," Covey retorted. Later he confessed that he did not know what the keys belonged to.

"If you see me on your driveway trying them out, you'll know what that's about," West quipped.

Councilman Dick Deane praised West for his work with youth baseball, saying that between West and West's brother, they had "coached half the town.

"He's been very instrumental in the development of baseball," he said. Professionally, West is the kind of guy that knows how to solve problems.

"He finds a way to get through the maze," he said.

LouRhea Crapson, accounting and human resources clerk, called West a real pleasant person to work with. While West predates Gavinski by five years, Crapson had been working for the city for about a year when West was hired.

West described his line of work mainly as that of an assistant to the city manager.

"It's one of those jobs every organization needs," he said. "(People) ask, 'can you do this?' and you say, 'sure, I'll give it a try.' Then they ask you about something else, and you say 'sure, I'll give it a try.'

"I am a specialist generalist," he said with a smile. "It's one of those niches you carve for yourself."

As a newly-minted retiree, West said he will probably not have as much free time as he would like to have. Having worked in the American embassy in Saigon in the early 1960s, West has tried over the years to remain in touch with some of the people with whom he served. So far, he has contacted seven.

"After my wife Ella retires next year, we want to try and put a reunion together," he said.

West's post has been filled by Rich Bisnett, formerly an utility accounts technician for the city.

Bisnett, an employee of City Hall for 13 years said he hoped to fill West's post with the same type of service he provided for 30 years.

"He has been with us a long time," Bisnett said of his predecessor. "He has done quite a bit for the city."