Gazette file photo Dennis Hext, manager of the Houghton County Memorial Airport, addresses resident concerns at a 2019 Houghton Count Board meeting. Hext has retired as of this month.

HOUGHTON — After 22 years as Houghton County Memorial Airport manager, Dennis Hext retired this month.

During the regular monthly meeting of the Houghton County Board of Commissioners Jan. 20, Hext was honored as Board Chairman Tom Tikkanen presenting him with a plaque.

The plaque reads in part — “In recognition of 22 years of dedicated, valuable and exemplary service to Houghton County as Airport Manager from 2003 to 2026.”

Hext, a Rhinelander, WI. Native, has worked in the aviation field for more than 34 years. While living in Rhinelander, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, serving for six and a half years.

In August, Hext told the Daily Mining Gazette after he retires, he will probably remain in the Copper Country and continue with his hobbies, which include flying, and enjoying life.

“It’s been a good run,” he said, “and there’s been a lot of ups and a lot downs. I’ve done the best I could, but I was left with a really good airport by the previous airport manager.”