Simmelink retires as Northwestern College maintenance director

After more than 34 years with the Northwestern College maintenance department, the last 27 as director, Scott Simmelink is hanging up his tools. His last day on campus before beginning retirement will be Friday, Feb. 23.

“He has worked tirelessly to make sure students and faculty have great facilities,” says Gary Jeltema, supervisor of maintenance services. “As a department, we will all miss him because of his good leadership and servant example.”

Simmelink has been instrumental in every building project since 1983 and has seen the campus double in size to 100 acres. He says his two main goals have been to make sure the campus is safe and attractive.

“It’s been an awesome place to work,” says Simmelink, who often served with students during spring break mission trips and received Northwestern’s Staff Inspirational Service award in 2007. “I’ve been blessed to work with and for great people.”

One of his staff members, Grounds Supervisor Ward Van Peursem, notes that Simmelink is known for emphasizing, “We’re here for the kids.” Van Peursem says Simmelink has “a servant’s heart that’s just unbelievable. He’s a great encourager who always has time for you.”

Doug Beukelman, vice president for financial affairs, describes Simmelink as a hands-on leader who’s always working alongside his staff.  “There’s nothing he’d have someone in his department do that he’s not willing to do himself. He has been a great leader for his team and has been a mentor to a number of people. We will all miss the collective history and knowledge he has of the campus and its facilities, but most of all I will miss his smile and pleasant demeanor.”

In retirement, Simmelink will do radon mitigation work and sell real estate. He also plans to spend more time with his children and grandchildren.

Some of Simmelink’s reflections about his time at Northwestern can be found at classic.nwciowa.edu/6-questions.