"The best part of my job here at the Memphis District was building things for people," Recent Memphis District Retiree Steve Kellinsky said. "I loved being a carpenter and I loved the Army, so I always looked at it like getting paid to play in a billion-dollar playground."
After dedicating more than seven years of service to the Memphis District, 11 to the federal government, and six to the U.S. Army, Steve Kellinsky is celebrating his recent retirement from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Memphis District.
Before coming to USACE, and before serving in the Army, Kellinsky grew up in Coos Bay, Oregon.
"At age 13, I was incarcerated for 22 months," Kellinsky recalls. "Shortly after getting out, I got in trouble again. I was in court at age 16, and my mother pleaded with the judge to not send me to prison again, that there had to be an alternative. So, the judge put me on the delayed entry program and on house arrest until I was able to join the Army."
Kellinsky was court-ordered into the military, and he said it was the best thing that ever happened to him.
"I was on a path to self-destruction, and I am sure I wouldn't have seen age 25 if it weren't for my joining the military," Kellinsky said. "So, I guess you could say the Army took a young, troubled teenager and made him into a man of honor, respect, and integrity. I will be forever grateful for everything the Army did to make me the man I am today."
Kellinsky was a missile systems technician for six years. He then served the Memphis District for over five years, assigned to the Dredge Hurley as a Marine Carpenter for two of the five.
"I shared a room with Curtis "Wolf" Williams for most of the time," Kellinsky recalled of his time aboard the Hurley. "Honestly, he is the only man I have ever met that worked harder and longer than myself; more importantly, he is the kindest person I know."
Kellinsky said "Wolf" helped everyone he could while keeping to himself. He also said "Wolf" was a very humble man who really looked out for Kellinsky, once telling him that, "He looked out for me because I took care of everyone else. Wolf inspired me to be a better person."
Highlights from Kellinsky’s career include his being awarded federal employee of the year, saving a man's life, teaching others, including revetment personnel, the carpentry trade, and volunteering for multiple natural disaster response operations, to name a few.
"I love teaching carpentry," he continued. "Tim was my first revetment worker to come to the carpentry shop, and now he has a permanent job in the shop as a carpenter. I was able to get a barge and build a carpenter shop on it. There's more…. but that's most of it."
Kellinsky considers his time with the district extremely rewarding. He overcame every obstacle and was successful in all his endeavors.
"So now, I play at home in a much smaller playground, but I still do it with love in my heart, honor, respect, and integrity."
Kellinsky says he looks back at his life and career with pride, knowing every obstacle meant to take him down only made him that much stronger.
"I did what I did and continue to do what I do because I feel I can help people," Kellinsky said. "I contribute to others' lives by making their work environment nicer, more comfortable, and more efficient, which in turn makes work feel a little less like work. No matter how big or small the job, I always give it my all."
Highlights from Kellinsky’s career include his being awarded federal employee of the year, saving a man's life, teaching others, including revetment personnel, the carpentry trade, and volunteering for multiple natural disaster response operations, to name a few.
"I love teaching carpentry," he continued. "Tim was my first revetment worker to come to the carpentry shop, and now he has a permanent job in the shop as a carpenter. I was able to get a barge and build a carpenter shop on it. There's more…. but that's most of it."
Kellinsky considers his time with the district extremely rewarding. He overcame every obstacle and was successful in all his endeavors.
"So now, I play at home in a much smaller playground, but I still do it with love in my heart, honor, respect, and integrity."
Kellinsky says he looks back at his life and career with pride, knowing every obstacle meant to take him down only made him that much stronger.
"I did what I did and continue to do what I do because I feel I can help people," Kellinsky said. "I contribute to others' lives by making their work environment nicer, more comfortable, and more efficient, which in turn makes work feel a little less like work. No matter how big or small the job, I always give it my all."