ANGIE BUCKLEY, Bismarck Tribune

Jack Schwartz has walked to work at St. Alexius' biomedical engineering department every day for the last 27 years. It's usually a private and thoughtful experience. But on Friday, he had some friends along for the trip.

Schwartz will retire as director of the department Tuesday. As a farewell and homage to the approximately 21,000 miles he's accrued through his career, six co-workers - Kasy Staus, Jason Hoffer, Bruce Isaak, Rob Hoffman, Warren Lee and Jeff Beauchamp - surprised him by joining him for the 1 1/2-mile trip from Riverview Road.

"He just kept saying, 'Oh boy,'" said Beauchamp, who will take over Schwartz's role as director. "He's become a familiar sight so maybe people were wondering what was going on."

Schwartz, who was not expecting his friends, was caught off-guard. A self-described man of habit, he hurried to put on his socks and shoes when they arrived at about 7:30 a.m., then wrestled with a decision.

"I hadn't brushed my teeth but didn't think I could make them all wait," he said, laughing.

Walking has been a lifelong love for Schwartz. As a boy in Dickinson, he would run across town to school. Later, as a student in Minneapolis with a young family, he chose to walk to save money. Other jobs before St. Alexius required him to have a car handy. So when he arrived in his current position, he was thankful.

"It's a blessing to walk. I love the seasons. On the way, I prepare for the day and about halfway home I get the day out of the system. When I have to have a vehicle at work or someone gives me a ride, something is missing from my day," he said.

Schwartz has walked in all of North Dakota's weather extremes and plans to continue when he's retired. He said that when he turned down rides from well-intending drivers, they would leave shaking their heads.

"One morning it was about a 90-below wind chill and my wife, Joanne, just said, 'Don't stop.' I have an old Air Force jacket and it makes it warm and just nice to be out, like I'm in a cocoon," he said. "One year a cloud burst over Bismarck and I remember running to locate all of my family. The kids were on paper routes and by foot was the only way to get around. When I pitch North Dakota, I say there's no place else for evening walks."

Part of Schwartz's desire to walk is pure stubborn pride.

"I loved blizzards as a kid, I loved to be the first guy breaking through the drifts," he said. "I like to be the only one out there, make the trails."

Schwartz said that through his walks, he is able to carry out one of his bad habits - overthinking.

"I always have to examine things too much. I have to get comfortable with a decision," he said. "A lot of my walking time is running over the day or sorting through decisions."

But he's not all work and no play.

"I admire the clouds. It's a high. Some people only walk if they have to, but for me it's the ice cream cone that little kids like," he said.

Schwartz said that when his four sons were in school, they would walk with him, each taking turns carrying band instruments. He said he likes to think that his love of the outdoors has rubbed off on them. An ex-smoker, he also credits walking for his fitness and good health.

"From working at the hospital I see so much and most of us take our health for granted until we don't have it," he said."

Now that he won't be at the hospital, he has plans to complete some neglected projects and spend more time with his family. He said the group that surprised him with the walk is making the transition easier for him.

"I really appreciate those guys. They are an asset to the hospital."

Schwartz gave his notice for retirement in September and said that he has had a lot of time to reminisce about his career. He figures he will do a little more of that on Monday and Tuesday, thinking back to the time when the streets he walks were different. But he'll also be looking ahead, planning more happy trails.