Dan Rutten Celebrates Retirement

Technical Communications Specialist Dan Rutten announced his retirement after 45 years of service with RDO Equipment Co. in April.

Dan spent much of his career as a Field Service Technician, beginning in the Fargo store before transferring to Casselton where he went on to work as a Service Advisor and Service Manager.

After 40 years in the field, Dan relocated to the Moorhead Field Support Office and took a Technical Communications Specialist role, where he continued to utilize his knowledge and experience in a less hands-on way, providing remote guidance to customers around the RDO footprint.

“I still talk with my hands all the time,” Dan said with a chuckle. For him, it was a natural transition that allowed him to remain directly involved in the service side of the business and do what he’s enjoyed most about his job throughout his entire career: help customers.

“That’s what I’ll miss most, the customers. That feeling of knowing I helped them, that they appreciated me getting them going again,” he said. “You build relationships and friendships doing that, and I’m going to miss that, too.”

Dan’s dedication to customers did not go unnoticed during his career. Steve Connelly, Vice President of Midwest Ag, said in the last 15-plus years he’s spent working with Dan, what’s stood out the most to him is Dan’s loyalty—to both the customers he worked for and the teammates he worked with—and his mentality.

“The world Dan worked in can be extremely stressful, but I always saw him get the job done with a positive attitude and a smile on his face. He is a consummate professional who people enjoy being around.”

Jeff Lemna, Vice President of Customer Support, shared similar sentiments on Dan’s impact on those around him.

“With so many years of experience and so many customers he’s served, replacing Dan seems impossible.  We are going to miss his knowledge, dedication, and personality around here, and I know our customers will as well.”

Dan said the prospect of retirement is both exciting and a little scary, but that he’s ready for the next chapter, where his plan is to “kick back and enjoy life a little easier.” He’s looking forward to helping his brother farm and his friend ranch, along with spending more time with his grandkids.

Though well-wishes make up most of the celebration for now, both Dan and his teammates look forward to a bigger bash sometime down the road.

“We really hope the best for him and hope we can all get together soon to have more of a celebration for his well-deserved retirement,” Jeff added.