Transportation squadron bids farewell to Chief Timothy L. Sarver Published March 11, 2011 By 2nd Lt Rhonda Brown 139th Airlift Wing ST. JOSEPH, MO. -- After more than 33 years of service with the 139th Airlift Wing, Missouri Air National Guard, Chief Master Sgt. Timothy L. Sarver bade farewell to his fellow comrades and friends, March 6 at Rosecrans. Inside the halls of the 139th dining facility, family, friends and members of the 139th cheered the service of Sarver. Sarver, who was the chief of vehicle management, officially retired two days earlier on March 4, his 60th birthday. At the commencement of the ceremony, Lt Col Barr presented Sarver with a plaque from the 139th Logistics Readiness Squadron. Sarver also received a letter of thanks from the white house signed by President Barack Obama. The awards kept coming with a Meritorious service medal, first oak leaf cluster, and certificate of appreciation for his support and distinguished service. "He (Sarver) was proud he belonged to this unit and wanted to make sure those standards were kept up" said Senior Master Sgt Gary Greene, 139th Vehicle Maintenance Superintendent. Dedicated, caring, and committed was how Sarver's airmen described him. "This place wasn't just a job but a way of life for him," said Master Sgt Tom Triplett, 139th Vehicle Maintenance Supervisor, "he is the only supervisor that most of us have ever known and he will be missed." "He takes pride in what he does and stands behind his people," said Staff Sgt Jay Brown Vehicle Maintenance Mechanic. Sarver thanked his wife Lynna, family and members of the 139th for their support to help make his career successful. Chief Sarver began his military career in 1970 when he enlisted in the Kansas Army National Guard. After completing his first enlistment, Sarver reenlisted in the 139th Airlift Wing in September 1977 and was assigned to the vehicle maintenance section as a general purpose vehicle mechanic. Sarver served as a Special Purposes vehicle equipment supervisor, Vehicle Maintenance Superintendent, and in 2000 became the Vehicle Maintenance Manager. He also served as a chairman of the vehicle maintenance advisor to the guard and was a part of the Chief's council. To kick off his retirement, Sarver and Lynna plan on heading south, playing many games of golf and spending time together. "We are taking off with no itinerary", Sarver said.