After almost 34 years of service at the Ames Laboratory of the U. S. Department of Energy, Roland Struss will retire.

During his years of service that began in 1962, Struss has worked on everything from a nuclear reactor to a solar powered car.

According to John Eckert, associate director for administrative services of the Ames Laboratory, Struss’ accomplishments include the decommission and retirement of a nuclear reactor in the late 1970s.

“[Struss] did such an outstanding job” that the Department of Energy cited him as an example for retiring a reactor in the right way, Eckert said. “Up to today, he is asked to give talks on how he did it, and how he did it within budget and lower.”

Struss also has also been a faculty advisor for Iowa State’s solar car since its conception, said Eckert.

“He was very involved in the engineering side, but also in personality” through locating funding, Eckert said.

“I gave free advice, a lot of hard labor and really got the Ames Lab shops involved,” Struss said.

Struss went on one race with the solar car and its crew, and was advisor for the first two races, one in 1990 and the other in 1993.

Eckert said Struss worked on and developed a solar truck along with a windmill to power the truck.

“We use it now to run errands around campus. It’s pretty cheap transportation,” Eckert said.

Another of Struss’ contributions to ISU was as project manager for the new Technical and Administrative Services Facility (TASF) building for the Ames Lab.

“He was instrumental” in the building of the TASF, said Sandra Bishop, secretary for Struss at the Ames Lab.

After April 15, Struss’ last day, Eckert will take over a number of his duties. Eckert said he will oversee about 70 of Struss’ employees as well as engineering services and scientific computing. Along with the addition of Struss’ employees and duties, Eckert will also receive a new title, chief operations officer.

“It’s going to be tough. [Struss] is a very good manager, excellent in corporate memory and a fine person. He can’t be replaced,” Eckert said.

Struss said his retirement plans include staying in Ames.

“We have pretty deep roots here,” Struss said. Struss also said he hopes to do some woodworking, traveling and gardening.

Struss, who likes to refinish all kinds of antique items from spinning wheels to clocks, said, “I’m going to take my time, and enjoy doing it.”

To honor the work that Struss has done for ISU and the Ames Lab, there will be a retirement reception held on April 12. The reception will be from 2:00 until 4:00 p.m., in 301 Spedding Hall.