Auctioned off

Story and photos by Bruce Thorson

July 18, 2009, Chadron, Neb: Auctioneers take bids for tools as the career of Bob Retzlaff comes to a close.

With almost every item in his shop gone, Bob Retzlaff and his wife Lois pause at the front door to his shop before departing for the last time. After 25 years in the agriculture repair business and a mechnic for over 40 years before that, Bob is venturing into retirement.

Lois Retzlaff kisses her son Verlin after the auction ended and all the tools and equipment had been sold.

Wayne Speer (left) and John Wentworth were sticking around the auction waiting for the toy tractors to go up for bids. Both got tired of waiting and left before the toys were sold off.

Boyd Hoffmeier carts off with his prize possessions from the auction.