By Laurie Lechlitner
InkFreeNews

ROCHESTER —“I’ve always loved hard work,” stated Scott Zeyen, Rochester. “My father instilled a good work ethic in me. And my jobs have not always come with a paycheck. I get a great deal of satisfaction out of volunteering. It gives me a sense of accomplishment knowing I’m helping others. I’ve been blessed in my life with a good job and income. I believe that’s why I enjoy reaching out to those who are less fortunate. I have the time and energy to help.”

Scott Zeyen

Zeyen retired in 2020 from Rochester Telephone Company. “I started there right after high school. RTC is a pillar in the community. Those of us who have ever had the good fortune to work there are well taken care of.” For retirement, the company bought Zeyen a log splitter.

With a smile, he remarked, “Sure I’m retired, but I’m still working. I go in part time and work for my good friend Monte Hoffman at Machine Castings. In the spring I begin working for the Elks Golf Club, maintaining their course for the golfers. But I do put my foot down. I will not work on Fridays. This gives me a permanent three-day weekend.”

Zeyen has been on and off the Fulton County Habitat for Humanity board for the past 12 years. “I am now vice president. I’m on the executive board along with the president, secretary and treasurer. I enjoy serving under director Karmin Reeves.”

He is also the Habitat building chair. “It’s my job to coordinate contractors for work we can’t do ourselves. This is the seventh house we’ve built partnering with Rochester Homes. They build the shell and truck it in a couple halves to the site and set it on the foundation. I coordinate the construction schedule, get the permits. Habitat volunteers come in and hang the dry wall, paint the trim and do the inside work like cabinets and bathroom work.” As building chair, Zeyen supervises the work.

Watching Chris and Emily White and their four children move into the most recent Habitat house was a milestone for Zeyen. “Our families work hard volunteering for Habitat before they ever get a house of their own. We’ve built a total of 17 homes in Fulton County. I truly believe we’ve made a difference in the lives of families.

“There’s something about volunteering that gives a person a sense of accomplishment. We see what we can do as a team with others. Right out of high school, I became a member of the Rochester Jaycees. Now I’m involved with the Optimist Club.” In 2021, Zeyen was honored as the Optimist of the Year. “It was a great honor. It made me feel like I was making an important contribution to the organization.”

Zeyen and his wife Mona have been married 33 years. They have a son Matt, 27, who lives in Chicago with his wife Laura and a daughter Audrey, 29, who lives in Alabama with her husband Alex Carpenter. They also have a 7-year-old yellow lab Darcy that lives in their home.

When Zeyen comes home from work, Darcy is waiting to play frisbee. A lover of the great outdoors, Zeyen enjoys cutting firewood and playing golf and tennis. “Mona has talked me into playing pickle ball recently.” They also hope to visit all the national parks.