Tom Pickar has worked at Stern Rubber Company for 34 years as a molder and rubber miller.
Tom grew up in Verndale and Nimrod, Minnesota on his family’s farm and graduated from Sebeka High School in 1977. Tom learned how to work on cars, trucks and farm equipment from his dad. Tom also found additional mechanic experience from part-time jobs working for other farmers in the area.
Tom also has been in the Minnesota Army National Guard for thirty years. Tom started in the infantry and went into maintenance. He served in operation Iraqi Freedom as Motor Sargent for HHC2/136 Infantry Battalion and 1st Marine expeditionary Force ISP taking care of 140 vehicles at 99% mission capable, served in many convoys and IED patrols while serving in Iraq. He worked on M1116 UP Armored, Humvees, Bradley’s and M1 Abrams tanks, Tom retired at the rank of Staff Sargent after serving 30 years.
Tom is married to Bernice who is his high school sweet heart and has been married to her for 37 years. They have one son Adam and he too also works here at Stern Rubber Company. Tom’s hobbies include camping, working on a two cylinder John Deere Tractor and helping friends do farming. In fact last year while helping a friend chop hay Tom lost three fingers when the chopper clogged with hay. After five months of recovery and physical therapy, Tom returned to work at Stern Rubber Company. Although missing his three fingers on his right hand, Tom managed to learn how work and perform his job functions and has taught himself to work hard through his loss of dexterity.
Tom is proud of his service for our country and still would do anything for our country and the military.
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