2/13/2008 2:56:00 PM
New postmaster enjoys small town atmosphere in Preston
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| Preston's new postmaster, Larry Haukom, left, was installed by good friend and fellow postal employee Dan Heins of Austin. |
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By Lisa Brainard
Becoming the new postmaster at the U.S. Post Office in Preston has pulled Larry Haukom from behind a desk and into the public. The Rochester resident said although he's still learning everyone's name, he's enjoying meeting the residents and finds the small town atmosphere "an absolutely wonderful place."
Haukom grew up around Brownsdale and Hayfield, where he graduated in 1969. Then he attended Luther College in Decorah, where he earned a degree in field research biology in 1973.
He did a short stint in the Peace Crops in Nepal, where he helped farmers learn how to better grow rice. The experience ended early when he had to return due to illness from dysentery.
Next, Haukom worked as a carpenter for 15 years, the first eight in Austin and the rest in Rochester. As to using his biology degree, he laughed and stated he could use his skills to "tell which end of a 2x4 is up."
In 1984, he became a clerk in the main post office in Rochester. Haukom advanced in his career, becoming a directory analyst specializing in computer and databases. He did that until last fall, when the position was cut in post offices nationwide. He applied for the Preston postmaster job, which was at the same management level and was pleased to land the position.
In his former job, Haukom handled business reply artwork and solved mailing problems with envelopes. He worked with some larger clients, as well as individuals.
"Zip codes are a specialty (of mine)," he stated.
With his background, he gave this advice to people sending mail, saying, "Addressing and the quality of envelopes are important to the delivery. If you can't read it, no one else can."
Haukom laughed and noted that even in Rochester, some people still will use address information like the following and expect a letter or package to get somewhere: "the third house down from the yellow house by St. Marys." He also said while Rochester uses numbers in delivery addresses, some people still use street names.
He lives in southeastern Rochester with his wife of 33 years, Nancy. They have two grown children, both college graduates. Lisa, who is married, works at Bailey Nursery in the Twin Cities. Laura is a computer programmer in West Des Moines.
Haukom's hobbies go back to his biology degree, it seems, with landscaping and flower beds. "Flowers, flowers and more flowers," he laughed.
He also likes to fish and travel. Currently, Haukom is away from work on a vacation to Cancun, Mexico.
He's looking forward to meeting more Preston area residents. "It's a joy to see them walk in," he smiled.
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