Glen Strandberg
Sports Editor

Bob Dettmer must have cut in line. And then he circled back around and did it again and again and again.

That would be the simple explanation as to why the long-time Forest Lake teacher and wrestling coach has also found the time to serve his country, and is now beginning a new career as a legislator in the Minnesota House of Representatives.

When they were handing out character along with the qualities it would take to serve community, state and country, many times over, Dettmer obviously cut in line -- repeatedly. And Forest Lake is all the better for it.

"I think I've been led in this direction in my life," Dettmer says. "I was elected for the state legislature, and I think it's an honor to serve in that capacity, just as it is to be a coach and a teacher."

On Wednesday, Jan. 3, Dettmer was scheduled to be sworn in at the state capitol, and then he will begin a juggling act where he will transition from teacher and coach, on over to State Rep., but with a little teaching and coaching still in the mix until the end of the school year.

HOW IT STARTED

When Dettmer was in 7th grade he knew he wanted to become a teacher because of the impact and influence his teachers and coaches had on him.

From looking up to those he admired, Dettmer also felt the need to join the military. His father served in World War II and his grandfather served in World War I.

The conflict in Vietnam was at its peak when a young Dettmer was finishing high school, but instead of enlisting, he followed his father's advice and went to college at Bemidji State University.

That decision seemed to turn out okay, as Dettmer would become a three-time All-American as well as NAIA national wrestling champion in 1971.

After graduating from college in 1973, Dettmer would get his first -- and last -- teaching and coaching job at Forest Lake High School.

Along the way, Dettmer would be selected to six halls of fame, and also scratch that military itch when he finally enlisted in the Army Reserves in 1986.

Dettmer is currently a Chief Warrant Officer in the United States Army Reserves, and in 2001 he was called to Active Duty to support "Operation Enduring Freedom" and "Operation Iraqi Freedom."

What was supposed to last one year, turned into nearly two, with Dettmer eventually being shipped to Kuwait just prior the start of the war.

Last spring, Dettmer and his wife, Colleen, went to the caucus, where he was encouraged by various people in the community to really get involved in the political scene.

The seed to go this direction had already been planted, but now Dettmer was ready to pursue this opportunity. On one condition.

"If she would not have endorsed me -- before I got endorsements from anybody else -- if I wouldn't have got that first endorsement from Colleen, we wouldn't be sitting here talking," Dettmer shares.

"Looking at all the things that I've done coaching, those so-called accomplishments, my wife has always been there as that support system."

TODAY, TOMORROW

Now, with the help of his assistant coach of 11 years, Rich Elliot, Dettmer will wind up 33 years of service at Forest Lake High School.

Elliot has been elevated to co-head coach and the two of them will lead the Rangers throughout the remainder of this season.

"It's certainly nice to able to come from having been one of his athletes, knowing him and him knowing me through those college years, and then to come back and work with him has been a nice reward," Elliot says. "It has helped with that seamless continuity -- always kind of knowing what each other is thinking and how to work together. He is one of my best friends."

Leaving those close relationships will be difficult for Dettmer, who appears to have found a perfect balance of being sad from the realities of leaving the high school after so many years, yet excited and eager for the challenges that wait in St. Paul. It almost sounds like Dettmer is graduating all over again.

He says he'll miss the camaraderie with the teaching staff the most, but then he immediately adds how much he's enjoyed teaching and coaching the young men and women of Forest Lake.

"Looking back on my career as an educator and a coach, I have all good feelings about what I did," he says. "I would think every teacher should somehow get involved in coaching an extra curricular activity. You get to know those students so much better as opposed to teaching.

"I always wanted to make sure that I would retire when I'm still loving what I'm doing...and the opportunity has come up where I can do that," Dettmer says. "It kind of fits in where I think I belong."

Yep, back in that line and ready to serve.

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