Aloha to Stan Solmonson

photos by Robert Mumby and Reina Lopez; text by Connie Kent

Many residents attended the farewell party for Stan Solmonson as he retired as RVM Executive Director.

Stan and his wife Cindy, setting off on retirement.

During his farewell speech, Stan said that two places he’s worked — his first (on Kauai) and his last (at RVM) — both demonstrated ‘Aloha’ (hence the Hawaiian theme and the leis).

A decorated golf card took him from Part One of his Bye Bye Bash at the Manor to Part Two at the Plaza. 

In-coming ED Dave Keaton takes the wheel.

Stan with residents in the Umpqua Room.

Here are the words to “Stan’s Hukilau Song, ” sung to Stan with ukulele accompaniment by Manor residents, to the tune of the traditional Hawaiian “Hukilau Song” by Jack Owens (1948).

Stan’s retiring, he’s retiring. He’s retiring, he’ll be leaving, he’s retiring now.

Everybody loves retirement. He can ski, he can fish, he can go golfing now.

He’ll grab his clubs and head for the tee, or cast his fishing line into the sea

He’s retiring, he’s retiring. He’ll never come to work here any more.

What a beautiful day for fishin’, the Oregonian way.

The salmon lines are swishin’, down in old Nehalem Bay.

Stan’s retired now, he’s retired now.

He’s really not so tired since he’s retired now.

Everybody loves retirement. The pressure’s off, the golf is on, the skiing’s wow.

He’ll throw his appointment book onto the floor, grab his clubs and head out of the door.

We’ll remember him, he will remember us.

We’ll be grieving, that he’ll be leaving.

He’s got lots of happy years in store.

Photos by Robert Mumby and Reina Lopez
Text and lyrics by Connie Kent