From left, Andrew Renkey, Harmony Castings president; Jim Stadelmyer, new retiree; Bruce Yeager, mold line supervisor; and Jason Oldenski, plant manager, watch the drive-by retirement party for Stadelmyer on Tuesday. Stadelmyer has worked as foundryman for 27 years.

Retirements in the workplace are typically marked by a pizza, a luncheon or cake.

Not so in the time of COVID-19.

Harmony Castings president Andy Renkey wanted to celebrate Jim Stadelmyer’s retirement in a special way. Renkey hosted a drive-by so employees could congratulate the 27-year foundryman on his retirement and a food drive to give back to the community.

“One of our employees had suggested we do a retirement drive-by, like some people have been doing birthday drive-bys,” said Ellen Stickles of Harmony Castings. “That way, all the employees could see him, wave at him, shout good wishes out the window.”

The food drive, from which the company will pass along employee donations to the Southwest Butler Food Cupboard, was held in lieu of a pizza party.

The turnout to the food drive was “great,” Stickles said, and the company will continue accepting donations from employees until the end of the week.

And while there wasn’t any cake in the breakroom to help celebrate Stadelmyer’s retirement, the uniqueness of a social distancing-themed party made the employees look forward to it — even if it was with the same bittersweet emotion present with every retirement.

“Everybody was really excited about it,” Stickles said. “He’s a longtime employee and he’s a great guy, and we’re sad to see him go.”