Celebrating Dur Schwartzhoff's Retirement After 37 Years at SLAA

For more than 37 years, Durward Schwartzhoff, or "Dur" as he’s known around here, has been a familiar face around State Line Auto Auction and a valued part of what makes our auction what it is today.

As Dur retires from his role as Lot Manager, we want to recognize and celebrate a career defined by hard work, dedication, and an unwavering commitment to State Line. For decades, he has been someone our employees, dealers, and customers could count on, helping keep the auction running day after day and serving as a steady presence through every season of business.

While retirement is certainly well deserved, it is difficult to imagine State Line without Dur's daily presence. It has been an honor to have him as part of our team for more than 37 years, and we are grateful for the countless contributions he has made along the way.

A Little About Dur Schwartzhoff

Before joining State Line, Dur built a diverse background that included nine years working as a truck driver and furniture mover for Atlas Van Lines. He also attended both Bemidji State University and the University of Northern Colorado before beginning what would become a long career in the auction industry.

Outside of work, Dur has been married to his wife, Kelly, for 33 years, and together they have one child. He is also the proud owner of three dogs, or as he likes to call them, his four-legged children.

Anyone who knows Dur knows he enjoys spending time outdoors. Hunting and fishing have long been among his favorite pastimes, and his reputation in both is well known around State Line. During Dur's retirement recognition, Jeff remarked, "He's one of the best fishermen and one of the best hunters anywhere around. I'll put my money on him." Jeff went on to share that many people around the auction would agree, saying, "Nobody's better than Durward when it comes to hunting, and I know fishing's the same way."

A Career Built on Dependability

Dur joined State Line Auto Auction in 1989, beginning his career in reconditioning before eventually taking on the role of Lot Manager. Over the years, his responsibilities included overseeing the movement of vehicles throughout the auction, coordinating with various shops, locating and marking vehicles for sale day, and handling countless other behind-the-scenes tasks that help keep an auction operating smoothly.

While many customers may not have seen everything that went into his role, the impact of his work could be felt throughout the entire operation. Reflecting on Dur's career, Jeff shared, "He has been out in the cold and the snow and the rain marking these cars, chasing these cars, and identifying these vehicles." For decades, Dur took care of the day-to-day responsibilities that helped keep the auction running week after week.

Jeff also noted just how significant Dur's contributions have been over the years, joking, "We don't know how many people it's going to take to replace him, but it's not going to be one, that's for sure."

When asked what he enjoyed most about working at State Line, Dur pointed to the teamwork. He appreciated being part of a business that still relies heavily on people working together rather than automation alone, where everyone's efforts contribute to a successful sale day.

Over the years, Dur's dedication, hard work, and dependability have made him one of the people State Line has counted on most. Whether it was a routine day at the auction or a challenge that needed to be addressed, he was someone others knew they could rely on.

Through quiet leadership and a strong work ethic, Dur spent decades doing whatever needed to be done, often without seeking recognition for it. Much of his work happened behind the scenes, but the impact of his efforts could be seen throughout the entire operation. During Dur's retirement recognition, Jeff described him as "the glue that holds this lot together." It's a sentiment shared by many who have worked alongside him over the years.

Thank You, Dur

While we will miss having him on our team greatly, we couldn't be happier for Dur as he begins this next chapter. After more than 37 years of dedication to the auction, he has certainly earned this time to spend more time with family, enjoy the outdoors, and focus on the things that matter most to him.

On behalf of everyone at State Line Auto Auction, thank you, Dur, for your years of service, hard work, and commitment to our team. Your contributions have played an important role in the success of this auction, but just as meaningful are the memories and relationships built throughout your time here.

While customers may not have seen everything you did behind the scenes, they benefited from the care and dependability you brought to your work every day. The same can be said for all of us who have had the privilege of working alongside you.

Congratulations on a well-deserved retirement, Dur Schwartzhoff. We wish you all the best and look forward to seeing you around the auction for years to come.

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