Francis Ziegler Retires - KXNet - Bismarck/Minot/Williston/Dickinson

A man who's spent decades improving North Dakota roads is retiring.

Today family, friends and co-workers gather, to honor Francis Ziegler's 42 years with the North Dakota Department of Transportation.

Francis Ziegler has worn a lot of hats during his 42 years on the job.

He started his career as an Assistant Construction Engineer.

"Then the Construction Engineer for ten years," Francis Ziegler said.

Then moved on to become an Operations Engineer, and later a Project Development Engineer.

"And now the director for six years, so I've been around the department, but I've had fun in every job here," Francis Ziegler said.

Those who work with Ziegler respect the hard work he's put in over the past four decades.

"Without him, without his leadership I think we'd be in a different position than we are today, so very good person," Wendall Meyer said.

Even Ziegler's grandchildren honor the hard work he's done.

"The grandchildren drive across a bridge and say this is grandpa's bridge," Jan Ziegler said.

Now Francis and his wife Jan, will enjoy time with their grandchildren and each other.

"I am so excited, I've been waiting for a while," Jan Ziegler said.

"We want to have fun while we're healthy and young, and we have some children and grand children in Arizona, so we'll be doing some wintering in Arizona," Francis Ziegler said.

While Francis and his wife will have a full time job making memories with their family, Francis says it's bittersweet to leave his career behind.

"It's been a marvelous career, and I couldn't ask for a better career, nor do I think I could've done anything different," Francis Ziegler said.

Ziegler's last day on the job, is Friday.