Longtime Berryville parks employee retiring

But like everything in life, this good thing, too, must come to end: Tresler recently announced his retirement from the Berryville Parks and Recreation Department.

During his 28-year career with the city of Berryville, he has saved the city thousands of dollars and provided valuable information to officials in need, officials say.

"There have been times when he could not find a pipe that was leaking and if we asked Warren and he could tell us right where it was. He knows the layout of everything," said Public Works Director Kirby Murray.

Tresler started working for the city water department in 1984 and traveled the ranks from sewer to street work, with his final position being groundskeeper for the parks department.

"He has such a long and interesting history with the municipality of Berryville," said Parks and Recreation Director Joe Scott. "He knows a little bit about everything and he has always been our go-to guy."

When the city was making upgrades to the sewage treatment plant and a new bridge had to be built, Tresler had an ingenious idea that saved the city nearly $150,000. He suggested that the city use an old flatbed railway car to be the base of the bridge, Murray said.

He had seen this type of bridge before and when the mayor was looking for a less costly alternative, Tresler was there to lend a helping hand.

The railway car cost only $50,000, a huge difference in comparison to the engineer's estimate of $200,000. "Warren had the idea and it worked out perfectly," Murray added.

These type of innovative ideas and his life-long experience is what has made Tresler an asset to the city and all of his hard work has not gone unrecognized.

"He's irreplaceable -- someone can fill his position but it will never be the same. He's truly one of a kind," Mayor Tim McKinney said solemnly. "He's just one of those employees that you wish you could clone."

Everyone seems to say the same thing about Tresler: "He's a great guy, always happy and a joy to be around."

"Warren is old-school; he thinks a good day's pay deserves a good day's work, McKinney said. "If you tell him that you need something done you can count on him to get it done."

Tresler has given so much to the city over the years -- and all his coworkers want to say goodbye, good luck and thank him for all his years of service -- so the Parks and Recreation Department has planned a retirement luncheon on his last official day of work to bid him a warm farewell.

Though his time with the city is no more, Tresler's legacy of hard work and dedication to the city of Berryville will not be forgotten.

"Warren has been an integral part of the parks department, and he will be sorely missed," Scott added.

His retirement luncheon will be held at the Berryville Community Center at 12 p.m. on Aug. 31, hosted by a small group of his fellow employees and family members.