Pioneer Profile – Linda Pletz

Linda K. Pletz served for 13 years as Executive Secretary in the Office of Academic Affairs until her retirement in February, 2019. During those years she made many friends in both the administrative and academic spheres. She also was interested in the students at Oakland. This interest led her to join the OU Host Family Program sponsored by ISSO (International Students and Scholars). She was matched with a Chinese student whom she mentored and who became her lifelong friend. In 2015, Linda traveled to China to attend “her student’s” wedding. The two are still in touch and hope to see each other sometime in the not too distant future.

Linda also developed a friendship with Anatomy Professor, Mary Bee. That relationship was based on mutual interests and led to two visits to the cadaver laboratory which Linda describes as “an awesome experience”. She also continues to keep in touch with Susan Awbrey, Sherry Perdue, and many others colleagues from OU.

She has had a busy retirement, that started with a hip and knee replacement, followed by weeks of intensive physical therapy. During that time, she also cared for her ailing father. However, following that difficult period, she was able to resume one of her favorite pastimes - travel. She has been to Reno, Nevada; Chicago, Illinois; Maine, as well as Savannah, Georgia. Linda celebrated her 70th birthday earlier this year with two high school classmates in Charleston, South Carolina. She recently had a late retirement celebration at the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island. A trip to Key West, Florida gave her an opportunity to parasail and jet ski. She is currently planning a trip to Hawaii in 2023.

Upon retirement, Linda began volunteering at the Macomb County Senior Services to deliver Meals on Wheels. “I have been doing this for three years and thoroughly enjoy the friendships. MOW allows me to give back to the community, to provide person to person contact with those who are unable to leave their homes. Every visit is remarkable.” Between the Macomb Services and the Shelby Township Senior Center, day trips, holiday celebrations, and various activities with new and old friends, she stays very active. According to Linda, “retirement is the best.”