Mr. David Bunzow spent just five years living and working in Alaska, but those five years had a lasting impact that he and his family have carried with them on all their nomadic adventures since.

“The ensuing years after living in Alaska have been nomadic because there are many wonderful adventures that my time at UAF allowed me to further develop and prosper as a science mentor – a role for which I shall always be grateful. Thank you, Alaska!!”

When asked his best piece of advice for someone planning to retire, he says to first start younger than you think you need to. “I began working in high technology when I was just 16 years old. I was too young to realize the importance of saving or planning for retirement,” he says. And secondly, get a good book you trust. His recommendation: “How to Retire Happy, Wild and Free,” by Ernie J. Zelinksi. ”I was so captured by it that I began to focus on preparing for all the great things retirement could offer,” David raves. “The promise from the author ‘...advice you won’t get from your financial adviser’ has been the best guidance I could offer anyone! Read this book–and prepare for the best part of your life!”

Where has their post-retirement nomadic life led the Bunzow family? Here is a little more about David’s story, in his own words.

“The five years my family and I spent living in Fairbanks while working for the University of Alaska, Fairbanks and the State of Alaska are forever etched in our memories. During that time, my wife, Dr. Debra Bartelt, worked as an adjunct instructor for undergraduate microbiology classes while I spent time first as the EH&S manager at the State, and later as Associate Director at the Office of Electronic Miniaturization. There, we attempted to establish a vibrant high technology enterprise on the “Silicon Tundra,” thanks to earmark funding (remember those days?) enabled through bipartisan support of technology development for underrepresented states by the late Senator Ted Stevens (R-AK) and former Senator Byron Dorgan (D-ND).

From 2001-2006, we mostly enjoyed our time in Alaska (winters proved particularly difficult–but even those had their beautiful moments!) and became involved in student education in the sciences and art. Our daughter, Sarah Bartelt, was enrolled in Woodriver Elementary where she made many new friends and lifelong relationships that endure even today.

The three of us left Alaska in late 2006 when funding for OEM evaporated. We relocated to Fargo, ND to continue building on high tech relationships that started at UAF. For the next two years, I worked as the Associate Director for Operations and Facilities at their Center for Nanoscale Science and Engineering (CNSE), North Dakota State University’s equivalent to OEM. When their government funds also dried up, I was again on the move in support of my country, technology career, and family–including felines!

From 2008-2013, I became a senior Program Manager at Lawrence Berkeley National Lab’s Molecular Foundry, a fundemental research facility fully funded by U.S. Department of Energy. During my tenure there, I was honored to have worked with hundreds of scientists including several Nobel Prize winners (11 were at LBNL) and their colleagues who worked in nanotechnology, helping to make discoveries that when scaled up would allow energy efficiencies for both the U.S. and many foreign countries. I’m proud to say that many more future Nobel Prize recipients likely passed through this wonderful institution.

After a second retirement in 2013, I started my own tutoring business to share our family’s background in the sciences and math with aspiring students of all ages, first Bend, OR, then Fargo, ND and now in Boise, ID. Currently, Debra runs a foster home for rescue of felines in the Fargo, ND; a feline population of 10-15 fosters is supplemented by 6 of her own cats, several which were adopted while living in Fairbanks. Our daughter Sarah is a junior at North Dakota State University majoring in business accounting while working as a customer service representative for a local car sales dealership. She has returned to Alaska on multiple trips to see her friends and explore the general Alaskan beauty. As for me, I do work as a volunteer at a Boise high school helping advanced placement science students learn the joys of scientific investigation as well as preparing them for their academic studies at colleges and universities anywhere in the U.S by tutoring them in the sciences, math, and writing.

All of us will forever be grateful for the time and adventures we enjoyed while being a living part of the Last Frontier. Come visit us in the Lower 48 if you are in the neighborhood!

If you would like to learn more about how your State of Alaska retirement can allow you to enjoy a comfortable retirement, please contact the Division toll-free at (800) 821-2251 or at (907) 465-4460 in Juneau.

Inspired to share a story of your own? We'd love to hear it!