Dan Syverson was a truck driver in the early 1980s in North Dakota when a friend suggested applying at Metro Transit. He did, and there he stayed for 41 years, building a career that was both professionally rewarding and enough to put three children through college. “It’s worked well for me,” Syverson said shortly before retiring in March 2021. “Once you have a family and children, you have to have stability. It was good for us.”

A bus operator for the first 10 years, and then an instructor, Syverson saw Metro Transit grow up. “I have seen a lot of evolution in all of Metro Transit, from the red buses with no power steering to the buses nowadays that are like Cadillacs,’’ he said.

In 2003, Syverson switched to light rail where he learned to operate trains six months before the METRO Blue Line’s opening day in 2004, and then helped train other operators who moved over. “I was always interested in rail but never thought that opportunity would come and was happy to be part of it,’’ he said.

Late in his career, Syverson served as rail coordinator, ensuring all operator training needs were covered. Until the end, he continued to operate trains as needed.

In retirement, Syverson and his wife, Mary Jo, planned to spend more time biking, camping, and traveling, including cruising on European rivers. He also considered finding a part-time job driving a school bus because he likes children and wants to keep busy. “It’s hard to be idle after working so long,’’ he said.