Kasper retiring as EHA director

By Tiffiny Woo

Published: June 20, 2008

For more than three years, visitors to Shorter Mansion have been greeted by the smiling faces and hospitality of Glenn and Beth Kasper.
At the end of this month, however, the Kaspers will retire from their positions with the Eufaula Heritage Association.
The couple began working with the association as volunteers nearly four years ago. Soon after, Glenn was hired by the organization on a part-time basis as executive director, and Beth was hired as the bookkeeper. Those part-time positions have turned into a full-time commitment for the Kaspers, said Glenn.
“We are just burned out,” he said in a recent interview. “I think we just need a rest.”
Association President Charlie Schaeffer says they are already taking applications and conducting interviews to fill the positions.
“If we don’t have a replacement by then (mid July), we’ve had a member volunteer to fill the position temporarily until we hire someone,” said Schaeffer.
Though they’re leaving Shorter Mansion, Glenn said he and Beth are not looking to move from Eufaula.
“There’s been a lot of rumors that we’re moving, that our house is for sale and that I’m quitting because I’ve already got another part-time job,” said Glenn. “If you find out what that job is supposed to be, let me know so I know to show up for work!”
He also confirmed that their house on West Broad Street is not up for sale and that they have no intention of moving away from Eufaula.
“The house next door to ours is for sale and we’re doing some work on the back of our house,” he said. “So, that may be why people think that.”
Glenn does think that he will seek out a part-time job eventually, but not before enjoying some leisure time for a few months or more.
“I might look into getting something part-time after a while, but who knows,” he said.
Glenn added that he had originally thought to wait until December or January to retire from the position, but felt it wouldn’t be fair for his replacement.
“This is the perfect time to retire,” he said. “These next four months are the slowest of the year. It’s a good time for whoever comes after me to get acclimated to the job before the rush of the Christmas Tour and Pilgrimage.
Other factors played a part in his decision to retire so soon. Having always worked as a team with Beth, Glenn wouldn’t want to do the job without her.
“She’s wanted to retire from it for awhile now,” he said. “I know she’s done it this long because of me, but is just burnt out, too.”
Despite being “burnt out” from the job, Glenn says he has enjoyed the job. While working at Shorter Mansion, Glenn said he has been able to meet people from all over the world.
The historical aspect of the job also appealed to him because Glenn has always been a history buff and even minored in history in college.
“I’ve always been interested in history, especially World War Two and the Civil War-I’m sorry, The War Between the States,” he half-quipped. “I’ve loved it (his job as executive director), and I am going to miss it. But we’re not leaving. You’ll see us around.”