Bill Fruth, director of the Shepherd Union, retired on Jan 5. Fruth served in the position for almost 15 years after coming to Weber State University from the University of Wyoming. He spent 34 years in the profession and is retiring to help his wife with a new store in Park City.

Fruth left quietly over the holiday. His staff members were unaware of his retirement until reading an article in The Park Record in which his wife mentioned he was retiring.

“I’m a low-key guy,” Fruth said. “I was trying to leave quietly out the back door.”

Fruth and his wife, Laura, opened a new clothing store called “Grace Clothiers” in Park City. The Main Street store had its grand opening on Jan. 8.

Fruth said they had been making plans for the store since September. He added that when he saw the amount of work that needed to be done with the store, he decided it was time to retire. Fruth mentioned events planned with his wife’s family in her home country of Peru and the drive to work from Park City every day as additional reasons to retire.

Fruth said he gets emotional thinking about the 34 years he spent working in higher education at several different schools. He said it had been a wonderful ride.

“I’m excited for this new chapter in my life, and I’m excited that I get to turn the page,” he said.

The union director is responsible for the all things concerning the Shepherd Union, including dealing with Sodexo, the company that handles the food in the building.

Monika Rodie, the associate union director, will take over for Fruth on an interim basis. A national search will be conducted later in the year to fill the position.