Back in 2010 when he was recognized for his 45 years of service at Queen’s University, Hans Metz said he planned on attending his 50-year service dinner as well.

On Tuesday, he did just that.

Mr. Metz (Arts'71), the Technical Services Manager in the Department of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences, was among the 154 people recognized at the Celebration of Service for reaching 25, 30, 35, 40, 45 and 50 years of employment at Queen’s. Mr. Metz was the lone member of the 50-year club while five Queen’s employees reached the 45-year mark – Professor Donald Akenson (History); Perry Conrad (Physical Plant Services); Bonnie McCalpin (Obstetrics and Gynaecology); Frederic Post (Biology); and Arlie Redmond (Stauffer Library).

Mr. Metz arrived at Queen’s in 1965 and since then has been responsible for the technical activities and physical resources of what was then known as the Department of Biochemistry. Some of the tasks he has undertaken to support researchers in their work include maintaining complex pieces of equipment, creating technical drawings, designing a departmental magazine and even glass blowing to create lab equipment.

It has been an ideal job for someone who is always busy working on something, tinkering, keeping busy.

“It’s been total fun,” he says about the work. “Everything and anything, whatever.”

However, one of the keys to his longevity at the university, as well as his youthful outlook, has been his connection with graduate students, even today.

“In the early days I used to go skiing every weekend in New York and loaded a car full of grad students who wanted to go skiing,” he says. “So they’ve always been my comrades. They don’t get older and if you have lots of fun with them, you’re one of them.”

Though Mr. Metz will officially be retiring at the end of May, he says he will be making himself available to help out whenever needed.

Visit the Human Resources website to view a complete list of employees who were honoured at this year’s Celebration of Service dinner.