Dave Keefer retiring after 33 years in the plumbing industry

At the end of October, longtime Local 25 Business Agent Dave Keefer is set to retire.

“It’s been a wild ride. Quite a journey,” he said of his 33 years in the plumbing industry.

Back in high school, Dave wanted to be an architect — and even got his degree in computer drafting from a community college in the early ’90s. But his father, a member of the former Davenport Local 387, steered him toward the trades when he heard Voss Brothers Plumbing in Clinton was hiring. Dave started out as a pipeline welder helper, then got into the Local 25 apprenticeship program in 1993.

In 2007, Dave became part of the Executive Board, and was appointed Business Agent in 2009.

“There are so many ways to get involved in the union, and my avenue was to become a union steward and develop good relationships with everyone,” he said. “I’ve had the wonderful opportunity to serve the membership and their families and help people when they’re in need. We’re all going through something and sometimes people need a little extra help. In this position, I’ve had the opportunity to give people hope.”

Throughout the past handful of years, Dave weathered a series of unfortunate events that helped solidify his plans for early retirement, including surviving cancer, sepsis and a head-on car collision that happened the day before Thanksgiving 2017.

“That’s why I’m retiring on my 55th birthday. It’s only a short period of time that we’re here, and I want to enjoy life,” he said.

Although he’ll miss the camaraderie, Dave looks forward to being a “house husband,” traveling with his wife of 25 years and spending more time with his kids.

“I’ve been doing this for 14 years, and it was probably the best move I’ve made in my entire life,” he said. “It’s been a great run.”