DES MOINES, IA — After 40 years of service at Star Equipment, Lonnie Umdenstock has officially retired. His last day marks the end of a career built on relationships, leadership, and experience in the construction industry across Iowa.
To celebrate this milestone, Star Equipment hosted a retirement party at the Des Moines, Iowa, service building. Hundreds of people came to wish Umdenstock well, including longtime customers (both current and retired), family, friends, and colleagues.
Umdenstock began his career at Star Equipment on July 1, 1985, covering Polk County and eventually managing key accounts as a Sales Territory Manager. He played a role in countless projects, including replacing brick at the State Capitol, providing pumps for the 801 Grand high-rise, and supplying one of Iowa’s first sewer lasers.
Before joining Star, Umdenstock brought with him a wealth of experience. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1962 to 1966, including time as a Diplomatic Courier at the U.S. Embassy in London, England, and traveled to nearly every country in Europe. Back home, he worked construction, co-owned a remodeling and home building business with Larry Anderson, ran the Devils Den bar, and owned a Dairy Queen. He also helped build the interior of Skips restaurant, handling the woodworking on the project. Prior to Star, he worked at Armstrong Rubber Company and Safeway Scaffolding.
Umdenstock has been with Star since near the beginning of the company's founding, helping shape the company into what it is today.
