Across campus students, staff and faculty enjoy a warm ride on the University bus system as they contend with the frigid Midwest winter.
Little do they know, Jim Peters, who helps maintain and repair the buses that make their lives easier, also has a positive impact on the lives of people abroad.
Peters, a graduate of Huron High School, began working at the car dealership Klineger Warner following his high school graduation in 1972. After three years, he came to U-M in 1976 to work as a heavy equipment mechanic.
Peters, who begins his day at 4 p.m. at Parking and Transportation, spends most of his time working on campus buses, focusing on smaller tasks before tackling the bigger ones.
“One of the most challenging jobs is dealing with the bio-fuel and E85 vehicles. They seem to be more difficult to work with in the winter time,” he says.
Peters’ job has evolved in his 30-plus years at U-M, but he still likes it. “I’ve enjoyed the job all these years because I work with such great people,” he says.
Working well with others carries over to his personal life, as Peters and his wife, Theresa, travel each year with a group of 45-70 people to spend a week in Honduras providing health and vision care, food and general services to the people. The trips are organized by Baptist Medical and Dental Mission International (BMDMI). Starting in 2001 the couple began yearly travel with the group to do mission work in Honduras.
“My wife is a family practice physician at U-M and was the one who got involved with the group first. The next year she went, I went with her. Now I’m going on my eighth year,” Peters says.
While in Honduras, Peters works on several projects, including the eyeglass ministry that involves bringing up to 3,000 pairs of used glasses. With the use of a special machine, volunteers find the best pair for each individual’s prescription. “The experience is rewarding, especially for the young people that come with us; it’s a real eye opener for them,” Peters says.
“My work in Honduras has been a lot different than my work in Ann Arbor,” he says. “They’re both rewarding in their own ways.”
Peters says he has learned a lot in his years as a U-M mechanic, adding one of the biggest changes has been with emissions and electronics in vehicles. “We all deal with the changes together, so it helps a little,” he says.
Through all the changes, Peters offers some advice for those looking to pursue a similar career path. “If you’re thinking of going into this kind of work, go to college first,” he says.
After working for U-M for more than three decades, there has been one key factor that has kept him here so long. “The atmosphere,” he says. “It’s just a really good environment to work in.”
In his free time, Peters enjoys hunting, gardening at his Dexter home and spending time with his wife of 16 years.
