Kevin Andersh has decided to retire from the Wagner Community School District after 41 years. Andersh began driving school bus for WCS in the fall of 1983. He first started working for WCS when he and his wife had moved back to Wagner and he was in need of a job. Driving bus for the school was the perfect fit for Kevin because it allowed him an outside income while still being able to farm.

Many people may not know this but Kevin started driving a bus at the age of 18, driving his first route after graduating in the fall of the same year. His first bus driving experience consisted of driving a 59-passenger bus full of farm kids. It has been a neat experience for Kevin getting to drive two, and even three generations of some families.

For Kevin, the best part of being a bus driver, is the kids.

Being able to build relationships with the kids has been a wonderful experience for Kevin. It is fun when his past students recognize him even years later. A couple of the most challenging aspects of being a bus driver are dealing with the weather conditions and traffic. It is rather surprising how many people do not seem to be able to see a big yellow bus with flashing lights.

Kevin ended his bus driving career as the pre-school bus driver. The honesty and excitement of the little ones were aspects that he particularly enjoyed about driving them. He loved seeing their excitement over the little things whether it be getting a new pair of shoes, new clothes or an owie that they just had to show Kevin.

When asked what kept him working for WCS for so long, Kevin said that it is a combination of things. The job allowed him to farm, raise a family and pay bills. He also had the opportunity to drive his own kids to school, on field trips, activities and sporting events. Mostly what kept Kevin working for WCS for so long was the kids.

The kids and the bus monitors that Kevin has worked with over the years will be what he will miss the most about driving bus. Kevin decided it was time to retire as he was 68 years old and wanted to go out still being good at his job and while he still enjoyed what he was doing.

Do not worry, Kevin was born and raised here and has no intentions of relocating now that he has officially retired. The one thing that he was most looking forward to when retiring would be to get rid of his alarm clock. Now that he is retired, Kevin plans to chase the grandkids, sneak in a little hunting and fishing, catch up on his “round-to-it” list, relax and just enjoy life.

When asked what are some things that are interesting or that people would be surprised to learn about him, Kevin had several that people may not know about him. Kevin has his Associate’s Degree in Diesel Power &Control Technology from USD-Springfield and a Certificate in Air Conditioning, Refrigeration & Heating from Mitchell Area Vocational Technical School. He also had a farm accident in November of 1979 where his right arm was caught in a pull-type corn picker.

Kevin and his wife, Georgia, have three children and nine grandchildren. Their daughter, Katie, lives with her family near Miller; their daughter, Molly, and her family live near Armour; and their son, Matthew, and his family live within walking distance. Even though Kevin has retired from WCS, he will continue to farm and take care of his animals. He also plans to keep busy making popcorn at the Wagner Theater most weekends.

Congratulations Kevin on your well-deserved retirement. Thank you for all your years of service getting the Wagner Community School students safely to and from school.