Retirement and Red Power Magazine

[Jim Becker]

Those of you that read Red Power Magazine will find my final regular article in the May-June issue. Dennis Miesner announced it in his editors notes on page 3. I may send in something small once in a while, but I don't plan to continue doing any feature-length stories. My first RPM article was published in 2003. At 19 years, it is the longest I have been at any one job. (I was longer with one employer, but didn't do the same job the whole time I was there.)

My final article is on the Phoenix proving grounds. I guess that is my version of retiring to Arizona.

[Bill Hudson]

Thanks for all you have contributed to Red Power Magazine. I certainly enjoy your articles and they will be missed. I would be remiss if I didn't also thank you for your legendary (yes, legendary) contributions to this forum, please continue to provide your input here.

Bill

[Barnyard]

Jim, your articles were usually the first I read every time a new issue hit my mailbox. As Bill said, they will be missed.

[Don McCombs]

I, too, have appreciated not only your Red Power articles, but your fantastic contribution here. Hope to see you in June at Springfield.

[Stanton]

Jim, thank you for sharing your wealth of knowledge in each article in RPM as well as your posts on the Forum. You are an asset to the IH community.

I’ve enjoyed our visits at the RPRU and look forward to visiting with you again.

Again, thank you!

[SamsFarm]

How did you become the IH Guru, Jim?

Own a IH dealership?

Maybe you need to write another story for us.

The "My name is Jim Becker, and this is how it all started" story!

[Super A]

How did you become the IH Guru, Jim?

Own a IH dealership?

Maybe you need to write another story for us.

The "My name is Jim Becker, and this is how it all started" story!

I remember discussing original Cub/Super A implement colors with Jim and others on the ATIS email discussion group many years ago, probably 1996 or so.

Al

[ricky racer]

Thank you for all of your contributions, Jim! I hope you continue to contribute to the "brain trust" here on the forum.

[Gary Dotson]

Jim, your articles have always been well researched, well thought out and well written. We are going to miss them greatly! I say we because my wife looks forward to them just as much as I do. Enjoy your retirement!

[Dale Finch]

Jim, your articles have always been well researched, well thought out and well written. We are going to miss them greatly! I say we because my wife looks forward to them just as much as I do. Enjoy your retirement!

to all the above!

I don't think they (RPM) will be able to find a replacement for your knowledge level and willingness to share!!

[tst]

I am sure your expertise will be missed from Red Power Mag, enjoy retirement, hope we will keep seeing you here

[CharlieK]

You're the best, Jim

[dgrapes59]

Congratulations, Jim! So many people have benefitted from your willingness to share your knowledge, it has been much appreciated! Wishing you the best as you enter a new journey in your life!

[Dennis]

FYI: So far, Jim has not said anything to me about retiring from Farmallcub.com . . . sigh of relief. You're articles will be greatly missed in Red Power, that is for sure!

[Jim Becker]

How did you become the IH Guru, Jim?

Gary explained it in his post.

While trying to be humble, here is some of it. I spend more time reading than writing, more time listening than talking. The challenge is knowing what to read and when to listen. Beware of the guy who brags about 40 years of experience. He may be the guy with one year of experience 40 times. The best reading is to go back to an original source. Historians apply a "pecking order" to information sources. They don't always get everything right, but following those rules improve your chances. (For example, rely on something written 40 years ago over a verbal account from someone that was there 40 years ago, either is considered a better source than something I write today.)

I also always tried to have a second person review what I write. Once in a while I have been lucky enough to find an expert on the particular topic. I would send an advance copy, have them review and provide comments. In the absence of such a reviewer, my wife reads them and makes comments. She doesn't have prior knowledge of most topics. She catches a lot of "wrong word" type errors. This helps a lot on the "well written" part of things. Once she says it is ready to go, it usually is.