Magazine honors family of linemen

Thursday, April 30, 2015

LINCOLN, Neb. -- The April 2015 edition of the "Rural Electric Nebraskan" magazine features a story about five brothers who are all electric linemen, just like their dad who was a lineman for the City of McCook in the early 1960s.

The story, "A Family Tradition," by Chelsea Gengenbach of the Dawson Public Power District, starts with Robert "Ben" Propp, who, as a lineman for several years, helped electrify the northern area of McCook.

Ben's wife, Mary, told Gengenbach, "Even though he wasn't a lineman for very long, Ben must have thought something about the job because I still have his belt and hooks hanging up in my basement."

Ben's oldest son, Scott, was the first to begin his career as a lineman, and has worked for Southern Power District for 20 years.

Twin brothers Jon and Shaun followed Scott into the lineman field. Jon has been a lineman at Hastings Utilities for 12 years. Shaun also started at Hasting Utilities, upon his graduation in 2001 from the lineman program at Northeast Community College in Norfolk.

Kyle graduated from NECC in 2009 and was hired by Dawson Public Power District.

Randy was the last brother to become a lineman. He attended the lineman program at NECC, and was hired by McCook Public Power district in 2010.

Mary told Gengenbach, "I know (Ben) was proud every time one of his kids became a lineman. I'm proud of all of them, too. They all found a job that they like, and that's what's important."

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