Longtime Forked River Postmaster Retires

As of 5 p.m. on July 31, William Wehrendt, Forked River postmaster for the past nine years, retired from the U.S. Postal Service.

Wehrendt said he was one of 62 postmasters in the South Jersey region to take a retirement incentive offered by the Postmaster General, which included a small cash award.

"I was in no hurry to retire; I enjoyed my job very much," said Wehrendt, who will soon turn 61. "But the Postmaster General is trying to reduce the workforce. The largest cost to the post office is personnel. Eighty cents on every dollar goes to people."

Wehrendt said he had planned to retire at the end of the year anyway, so he took the early out incentive. To participate, postmasters had to be age 55 or older and have at least 30 years of federal service.

His last day was mostly business as usual, then his employees held a gathering in his honor in the break room with refreshments and some speeches, according to Wehrendt.

As postmaster, Wehrendt was responsible for making sure all the mail was delivered every day, the postal workers were safe, the trucks were running, all the money was accounted for at the windows and the employees got paid.

"It's been a very good organization in Forked River," he said. "We've won many awards. It makes going to work more enjoyable if you're one of the best continually."

Wehrendt began his career with the U.S. Postal Service in 1973, after serving two years in the U.S. Air Force. His first position was as a letter carrier at the Toms River Post Office, where he spent 20 years, working his way up the chain of command. His next assignment was Postmaster in Monmouth Junction, where he stayed for 10 years.

"I enjoyed working there but I drove 106 miles a day," he said. "When I came to Forked River, I drove six miles a day."

Wehrendt and his family have lived in Lacey Township for 27 years. All four of his children graduated from Lacey Township High School. His children and grandchildren still live in town.

"As postmaster, you get to know a lot of residents," said Wehrendt. "You're supposed to be involved in the community. The postmaster should have a public face."

He said the mayor built his house, the police chief has a post office box so he saw him all the time, one of the fire chiefs is his next door neighbor, and one township committeeman's daughter is friends with his daughter. 

"Most postmasters get to know their town very well," he said. "They're sad to see you go, but it's a fact of life."

Wehrendt said his first day of retirement felt just like another day off and doesn't feel different yet.

"One day you are part of the community, people need you for something," he said.  "The next, you think, should I take out the garbage today or should I take it out tomorrow?"

Wehrendt is proud of his public service.  He also served as a mentor to many postmasters and supervisors while active in the National Association of Postmasters, where he was Vice President many years.

"I will miss the interaction with a lot of the people and knowing you accomplished something each day," he said. "I'm deeply rooted in the community. With my kids and grandchildren in the community only a couple miles away, we won't be moving any time soon."

Once it is verified that Wehrendt is officially retired, the Forked River Postmaster job will be posted and a new postmaster could be appointed within 30 to 120 days.