Calling it a Career in Byesville

Byesville Letter Carrier Richard Carpenter is retiring after 37 years of service.

It’s been a long career for Byesville letter carrier Richard Carpenter, and at 84 years old he has decided to hang up his mail carrier hat.

Looking back at his time, he said he has noticed the changes over the years. “When I first started here, I had to sort the letters the old-fashioned way,” he said. “We didn’t have DPS, (referring to Delivery Point Sequence, an automated mail sorting process), so I clerked a little bit as well as carried.”

With a population of around 2,300, most everyone in Byesville knows each other.

“There are two city routes and two rural routes,” Carpenter explained. “It’s a small town and I know everyone pretty well. I have a good recall memory, especially when we get mail for someone who hasn’t been there for years.”

The community knows that Carpenter will be leaving soon, and it is bittersweet. “The library knows about my retirement, and they gave me a little gift,” he said. “I like to tease my customers a little bit and they tease me back.”

As for his future, Carpenter is eager to learn more. “I’d like to read more and educate myself,” he said. “There are all kinds of courses that I want to get to and do it for the heck of it.”

After 37 years, Carpenter retires at the end of the month. Be sure to wish him well when  you see him!