Pam Obyc Ends 50 Years As Ohio County Courthouse Employee
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WHEELING -- When Pam Obyc started her career in the Ohio County Clerk's Office, it was May 1976 and America was preparing to celebrate its bicentennial.
A half-century later, the U.S. is about to turn 250 years old and Obyc is retiring as deputy clerk after 50 years working in the office. She turns 68 on July 16.
Obyc's official last day was Tuesday, but an office party for her took place Monday.
The first time she came to work in the County Clerk's Office, she had just graduated with the last class from the former Wheeling High School.
The question is, why did she keep coming back every day for a half-century?
"I don't know … I guess I just liked my job," she said. "I enjoy working with the public. The attorneys have been wonderful.
"I don't know where the 50 years went. I really don't."
Almost everything in the office is different today than it was 50 years ago, according to Obyc.
"The people, the technology ... everything is different," she continued.
Obyc isn't certain what is on the horizon as she enters the next chapter of her life, but she would like to rest over the summer.
"I don't know yet. Just give me a couple of months to enjoy life," she said. "We'll see. My husband (Rick) retired five years ago, and he has been waiting for me to retire."
The couple does not have any children.
Obyc admitted she will miss coming in each day to the office where she worked for 50 years.
"I'm sure (I will) ... It was my life. I came in every day," she continued.
Obyc ended her tenure with 726 unused sick days.
"Aches and pains, I didn't care. I just came to work," she said. "I did my job every day and tried to give it my best."
Every day was different, Obyc noted.
"You never know what's going to happen in here, but I enjoy the public," she said. "I know how it is to be the public, and I know how I would want to be treated. Sometimes they come in and don’t want to be too nice or whatever, but I've always done my best and just enjoyed it.
"I will miss it, but I will be entering a new chapter (of life). I've never had a summer off. I came here right after graduating. I just had to work, so I worked."
County Clerk Mike Kelly called Obyc a "phenomenal worker."
"She knows no hours," he said. "She is there until the work is completed. She knows everybody and is easy to deal with. People like to come in just to talk with her and ask questions. She is knowledgeable about what is going on.
"I am going to miss her. I hope things go well for her."
Kelly noted Obyc worked her way up in the office, doing all the jobs until she became the chief deputy.
"When employees have come to her with questions on how to do something, she knew how to do it. She had already done it," he explained.
"It's not just the office who has lost someone valuable. It's the entire community. She is one of few people in the community who never rests. She is always volunteering, either at the soup kitchen or at her church. If there is a need for a volunteer, she is there. She is always willing."