OTTUMWA — A string ensemble created the atmosphere in which friends and co-workers could wish retiring school employees “good luck.”

This year, 10 employees with a combined 277 years at Ottumwa schools said goodbye at a ceremony Wednesday. But not everyone will be completely gone.

Larry Northup, who has taught science in the district since 1965, will still help with the travel programs he organized.

In his 43 years as an Ottumwa teacher, not only have former students become his fellow teachers, at least one student has become a school board member.

“Seventh grade, Washington Junior High,” recalled Jeff Strunk, 38. “I was 12.”

He said he can’t quite remember what he got in trouble for in Mr. Northup’s seventh-grade science class, but he does remember having to write 200 sentences. He told Northup that sentence may have been “I will not talk in class.”

Whatever it was, Strunk laughed, he learned his lesson; he never got in trouble in science class again.

Superintendent Jon Sheldahl pointed Northup out as having been in the district longer than any of this year’s retirees.

“When he was in college, he helped build Evans,” Sheldahl said.

Northup confirmed, “As a college student, I helped install the plumbing on the Ferry Street wing.”

He said he Ottumwa is his hometown, and he never wanted to teach anywhere else.

“They’ve treated me great,” he said.

“Our district is very fortunate our employees are so committed to doing a good job for kids,” said Sheldahl.

The retirees honored, and their years of service are: Bill Ash, 33 years; Barrie Carlson, 9 years; Kathy Danley, 33 years; Reva Gilliland, 28 years; John Graziano, 34 years; Mary Graziano, 20 years; Christine Keegan, 28 years; Larry Northup, 43 years; Margaret Swanson, 29 years and Kay Vandello, 18 years.