MUSCATINE, Iowa — From slide rules to scuba diving, Hank Mann’s nearly 50-year career with Stanley Consultants in Muscatine has taken a number of memorable turns.

When he came to Stanley in the 1950s, mechanical slide rules were a basic tool of the trade. Over the past 20 years, Mann, who is chief construction services engineer with the corporation, has kept pace with an everchanging arsenal of technological tools.

He has also worked on numerous international assignments and does most of the company’s underwater engineering and inspection work, which calls for scuba diving skills.

Most recently, Mann traveled to Chicago to accpet the American Association of Retired Persons, “Best Employer for Workers Over 50 Award,” on behalf of Stanley.

Mary Jo Finchum, public relations administrator for Stanley Consultants Inc., said Mann is well qualified for the award, and cited his longevity with the company.

“Only Dick Stanley has been here longer,” said Finchum, speaking of Stanley Consultant’s Chairman emeritus and son of the company’s founder, Maxwell Stanley.

 — Cynthia Beaudette  of the Muscatine Journal

Personal

Name: Hank Mann

Age: 66+

Address: 2112 Fourth Ave., Muscatine

Family: Wife, Rita, of 44 years; son James born in Liberia, West Africa; daughter Tamara born in Bahamas; daughter Brenda born in Iowa; six grandchildren

Occupation: Professional engineer

Q&A

What inspires your loyalty to Stanley Consultants where you have spent your

entire 50-year career?

I am a professional engineer. Stanley Consultants has given me the opportunity to practice my profession. I started as a co-op student with Stanley Consultants two weeks out of high school. The company provided encouragement and guidance during my education and throughout my career, giving me with the opportunity to travel and live overseas in three different countries.

You spent time scuba diving as part of your job. What is the most fascinating thing you have seen while diving, that was not work related?

This is a tough question because there is no one single thing — each dive is a new adventure — it is a whole different world underwater. I enjoy observing and photographing the marine life, and the absolute freedom. I have done a lot of search and recovery of “objects” for the local law enforcement agencies. My most recent recovery was a diamond ring from the bottom of Lake Keowee in South Carolina. And yes, I have seen sharks while diving.

What is the greatest change you have seen take place in engineering since you began your career?

The electronic age. I started engineering using a slide rule and adding machine for calculations, then came the mechanical calculator, followed by hand-held calculators. Now we use computers. I started on drafting board with “T” square and parallel bar, now it is all done by computers.

Who has made the biggest impact in your life? How?

There are a lot of people that have given me guidance, starting with my father and a neighbor/farmer who taught me many basic principals about engineering and how to do mathematical problems in my head. Although they were not engineers, they taught me to be responsible for my decisions and actions, and that there is a lot of benefit from hard work.

Early in my engineering career, I had the opportunity to work with a very knowledgeable engineer on a hydroelectric project in Africa. He taught me a lot about being a resident engineer and also about taking care of the people who work for you.

What’s the most important thing other people should know about you?

I care about people.

What do you like to do most during your free time?

I do a lot of “tinkering” and home do-it-yourself projects. Rita and I enjoy going to youth, high school and college athletic events.

What do you like most about the community in which you reside?

I was raised in Ardon, a small town of eight people, eight miles southwest of Muscatine. I call Muscatine home. Rita and I have been able to travel the world, live in many locations, but still feel at home when we come back to Muscatine. I have relatives here. Rita and I have many friends in Muscatine. Muscatine is a small town, easy to get around, but still close to larger communities. Muscatine is rich with its numerous parks and high quality athletic facilities.

What should be changed to improve your community and how should that be done?

I have seen the loss of downtown business from the times when there were three movie theaters, a railroad depot, two hotels, etc. to the present state where there are so many empty stores. I don’t have a solution. I wish there was a way to go back, but the mega stores with one-stop shopping and the economy have changed the way we live. I have earned my living in Muscatine and spend my money in Muscatine.

What public service or volunteer work have you done?

Rita and I have been involved in competitive swimming since the early ’70s. Our three children were involved with the Muscatine Swim Club, the Y swim program and High School Swimming. Our two daughters went on to swim in college. Rita and I are both coaches and swim officials. Currently, we are volunteer Y swim coaches and officials and I am a certified Iowa High School swim official. I work as a volunteer swimming official at the high school dual swim meets.

What is your most important goal for the next five years? Why?

I have several goals at Stanley Consultants which include mentoring younger engineers and passing my knowledge onto those who work in the construction services discipline. I have set a couple of milestones to reach before retirement, but Rita doesn’t think I will ever retire. I still enjoy going to work everyday. After retirement I want to do more traveling, and visit our kids and grandkids in South Carolina, Texas and Utah. I would also like to get involved with Habitat for Humanity; I think I have a lot to offer with my background in construction.

Editor’s note: Every Monday, the Muscatine Journal profiles a local figure who responds to questions provided by one of our reporters.