Sitting around and watching TV is not how Bob Ingram envisioned his retirement. The thought of doing that would drive him “bonkers.”
That’s why, when he moved to Mission 15 years ago, Ingram immediately began to get involved in a variety of organizations.
“I wanted to be involved in the community I was going to live in,” he said, adding he wanted to be busy helping other people.
“I spent most of my career working for the community. If you look at my work record, it’s school districts and public service.
“Near the last five years, before I retired, I started to get involved with the community because I didn’t want to find myself not doing anything.”
Ingram worked as the secretary-treasurer for the Burnaby school district before retiring in 2000. He and his wife moved to Mission from New Westminster, and his reputation as a volunteer followed him.
Ingram was involved with Mainstream Association for Proactive Living in Burnaby. When the executive director heard about Ingram’s move, he called his counterparts at Mission Association for Community Living (MACL) and told them about Ingram’s work and encouraged the group to reach out to him.
They did, and Ingram is still involved with MACL today. He is also president of the Mission Seniors Centre Association, president of the Mission Community Services Society and vice- president of the Mission Association for Seniors Housing.
“That’s my life in a nutshell,” said Ingram. “You can be as busy as you wish.”
Ingram said one of the luxuries of being retired is you have the ability to say no when you don’t want to do something and yes when you do. That’s a luxury you usually don’t have during your working career.
“You do what you like to do. In fact, you’re foolish if you don’t,” Ingram said.
One thing that Ingram is pleased and excited about is the recent announcement regarding the funding for 74 new affordable housing units for seniors in Mission and the new seniors centre.
“That has brought everything I’ve worked for the last number of years together. It’s very gratifying to see that happen. There are countless number of people involved in that.”
Last month, Ingram’s efforts were recognized by the Mission Regional Chamber of Commerce when he was presented with the President’s Award.
Of course, Ingram doesn’t have a lot of time to look back at his accomplishments as there is always another gathering, conference or committee meeting to attend.
“Retirement is a myth, if you want it to be.”