Ron Gretchen, 2009

Summary of Ron Gretchen
Greetings to all from Saskatoon, SK. I am unable to attend the reunion as I have other
commitments during this time. What has happened to me since graduation? Although my
major was Plant Science – some would say that now I wouldn’t recognize a plant if I stepped on
one. I did work for a while marketing products for Niagara Chemical in Saskatoon. Always
wanting to be in my own business – the opportunity arose when my wife and I established 2
retail stores in Saskatoon. We operated the stores for 15 years after which we decided to move
on.
My wife went back to working as a Laboratory Technologist at one of the Saskatoon hospitals. I
went to work in the Wealth Management industry with Desjardins Financial in Saskatoon and
have been there for the past 21 years.
In the 1970’s, I purchased a brand new apartment building in Saskatoon, managed it and finally
sold it after 30 years of operation.
I have thoroughly enjoyed the Wealth Management business including the company
conferences that I have been able to attend over the years.
One year at a company conference in San Diego, California – Warren Buffet, the world’s most
successful investor spoke to us and gave us some tips on his methods of investing. At another
conference in Dallas, Texas I recall attending an NFL foot ball game between the Dallas
Cowboys and the Los Angeles Rams. My wife and I sat in the private box of former Dallas
Cowboys quarterback Roger Staubach and we did the “wave” along with 80,000 fans.
At another conference in San Antonio, Texas the former president George Bush who was
president from 1988 to 1992 spoke to us and gave insights as to how he made decisions at the
presidents desk. At another conference in Orlando, Florida Colin Powel the retired General and
former U.S. Secretary of State shared his views of the world situation. My wife and my son and
daughter were also able to attend the Orlando Disneyworld Conference partaking in the
activities at Disneyworld.
At a conference in Atlanta, Georgia Winnipeg singer and song writer Burton Cummings formerly
of the Guess Who entertained us with familiar tunes. Most recently I attended a company
conference in Montreal and Quebec City where the highlight for me was being able to observe
all the historical spots around Quebec City, especially the Plains of Abraham.
My health is good as I try and walk 30 minutes daily and continue to work in the Wealth
Management field in Saskatoon. My only daughter graduated with a Bachelor of Education from
the University of Saskatchewan and lives with her family in Calgary and is employed as an
Underwriter with ING Canada. My only son lives in Saskatoon, he has business interests in
Saskatoon and is still single.
I shake my head and say to myself, “Where the heck have 40 years gone by – so quickly?”
All the best,
Ron Gretchen
rgretchen@sasktel.net