Bill DeKryger has walked the halls of Central Michigan University at 6:45 every morning for nearly four decades.

He will check his e-mails, then go to class to teach about his lifelong passion of cars. But not for long.

In less than a month, the assistant professor of engineering and technology will retire after serving 38 years on staff.

“I won’t have a place to go in the morning,” he said. “I’m kind of a morning person — now, I’ll have to find something else to do.”

DeKryger has one goal for his students — to teach them everything he can about cars, from engines to electrical systems.

After working in a Hollywood garage many years ago, DeKryger found few people know much about cars.

“I decided that once I became a teacher, one of the classes I would teach would be a consumer information class where people could learn how to manage their cars and not get ripped off,” DeKryger said.

IET 182: Automobile Ownership and Maintenance is still offered today.

DeKryger said he plans on spending his retirement engaging in volunteer work and building a Shelby Cobra.

End of an era

Terry Lerch, interim chairman of engineering and technology, said DeKryger is the only instructor who teaches the industrial technology major with an automotive technology concentration.

This fall is the last semester students can finish classes in the major. Lerch said the decision to cut the major was made around 2006 because of lack of resources and interest.

He said probably less than 10 students are finishing classes for the major.

“We’ll miss Bill (DeKryger) more than the program,” Lerch said. “He’s been here for 38 years. That’s a lot of history walking out the door.”

Waterford senior Jim Allcornsaid he loves taking DeKryger’s classes.

“Students in the program have built motors for classic cars, dune buggies, vintage motors and motors for drag racing,” he said. “You can learn to truly build an engine from the ground up.”

Hillsdale senior Micah Fox said he is disappointed the program is no longer offered.

“There are students that make automotive their livelihood,” Fox said. “You need mechanics in the world.”

E-mail the author: Joe Borlik