ESSENCE OF LIFE - Doug Schildgen

ESSENCE OF LIFE

Legend Nominee: Doug Schildgen

This Legend driver is not only an experienced professional behind the wheel of a semi-truck but is admired and well respected among his peers. His belief that success is attainable through faith, coupled with an unrelenting devotion to his family has ultimately led his journey in the trucking industry to a now-incomparable career, such one could only hope to achieve in a lifetime.

He is truly an inspiration to all ambitious individuals, the career-driven in pursuit of opportunities to improve and prosper. Particularly, truck drivers who are husbands and fathers running the roads sacrificing home-time to provide a good living for their loved ones left behind. Having accumulated over 4 million miles spanning the course of 42 years, Doug Schildgen of Waterloo, Iowa takes a brief break from his over-the-road schedule to share with us a few invaluable tips he has gained along the way.

We discuss his upbringing, shedding light as to who influenced his life early on, while then naming the special people he surrounds himself with today that continue to inspire him daily. He also explains how impressionable a person’s behavior can affect another, giving reason to his selfless actions. Claiming, “Awards and compliments are great, but the only value is found in the gift of helping others. That’s what people remember.” And lastly, what’s next on his agenda moving forward, though he is no rush to close this chapter just yet.

“A lot of things you do out here on the road as a trucker reflect how you were raised, through your work ethic and interaction with those around you and in passing. Work hard and be courteous, it’s that simple.”

-Doug Schildgen

Born the fifth of ten children, prioritizing family first has never been a forced option, but has served more as the motivation to his dedication. Born and raised in the small town of Lancaster, nestled in Grant County Wisconsin, Doug’s parents Joseph and Drusilla both demonstrated strong family values. Having suffered the loss of his father at the age of 8, the close-knit family pulled together as everyone pitched in to support their large household.

Doug found work at a nearby farm, using his earnings toward bills, clothing and school books. By 16, he left home to reside at the farm in exchange for room and board, he ran the dairy farm full-time. Stating, “I stayed there until I was 18. Farming is not an easy life, it’s long days of continuous hard work. I maintained all the equipment, milked cows, everything -you name it. You’ll never cut it as a farmer unless you have a good work ethic, I learned a lot during that time. Farmers are dedicated to their work and they’re honest people. Their morals are straight forward and simple: don’t steal or cheat and respect your elders. I’ve passed that on to my kids and they have with theirs. I initially started working there to help take care of my family and ended up learning much more than I had expected about myself in the process. That entire period of my life helped shape me into the man I am today for my wife, our loved ones and my work family.”

Trading the farm life for oil fields Doug relocated to Wyoming one summer, securing a position handling cement work. Once he returned home, he joined a friend pulling refrigerated freight for a trucking company based out of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. His prior experience operating farm equipment assisted with his transition into the trucking industry. “Everything is heavy in farm work, with spreaders and tractors loaded with corn, you develop a knack for handling whatever elements are thrown your way. That insight alone has helped me as a truck driver when hauling various loads,” Doug explained.

“I keep my truck nice, but it’s not always about that. Faith and family are what drives me. They’re the reason behind everything I do.”

-Doug Schildgen

Doug and his wife, Rebecca met in 1976, tying the knot two years later. Their marriage was put to the test almost immediately, as Doug had purchased his first truck prior to the start of their relationship. However, the couple share a similar background helping establish a strong foundation for the newlyweds. They’re from the same small town where their fathers worked together. Rebecca also comes from a large family and understands the importance of maintaining a positive family structure to help shape their family's beliefs, attitudes, and ideals.

Having celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary in July, Rebecca says that Doug has always been the leader for their family, setting the bar high as a role model describing him as a workaholic with a kind heart who is respectful and generous. With 6 kids and 15 grandchildren later, the same passion to care for his loved ones empowers him to continue this journey as a provider for their growing family. Doug adds, “I have found myself feeling guilty many times of working too hard. 30 to 40 years ago, a driver running across the country could go a long period of time; many, many days and not talk to anyone until he got home. We have come a long way since then. I truly believe that the woman of a successful man is the key link. They’re the ones at home putting toys together all alone on Christmas Eve because her old man is stupid and took a load nobody else would. The woman at home has more to deal with than anyone involved, in my opinion. They are the ones that should be recognized!”

With the advancement of technology, communication has overcome leaps and bounds, and is easily assessible compared to their earlier days of being apart. Doug and Rebecca are able to talk multiple times a day, lessening the void of his absence. However, it’s Doug’s persistence that has impacted his career as a professional, as well as his legacy as a father. Rebecca says, “Doug is the kind of man that will do whatever it takes to see to it that his family doesn’t want or need for anything. He would gladly endure any burden without complaint for the happiness of others.”

As their children were young, often times they would join Doug on the road, rotating turns. In an attempt to make each venture memorable, the road trips catered to the special co-pilot by visiting requested fun sites, such as theme parks. Though his childhood was much different than his kids’ the morals in which he and Rebecca raised their little ones reflect much of their own backgrounds. Challenged with difficulties considerably demanding for a young boy, Doug’s adolescence was short-lived, as he was needed to mature and enter the workforce at an early age.

Today’s generation has evolved in a manner that allow kids to enjoy life experiences as they should, with no rush to jump into adulthood. The working role falls upon the parents while children are free to be as they are. Never straying from his path, Doug’s destiny to excel as a truck driver grants him the opportunity to give his grandchildren the same devotion he expressed to their kids for so many years. Rebecca enjoys the company of their two grandchildren, Tavion (9) and Amiya (8) while Doug leaves out every Monday, returning home to spend the weekends together.

Raising children while Doug is away on the road is no new task for Rebecca. I inquired how the couple find the balance between both worlds; the trucking lifestyle; which can prove to be complicated and home-life; where there are no time clocks to sign-out of. Doug says the one fact he has learned about himself over the years is that there is nothing life can throw at him that has the ability to disrupt his contentment. Stating, “My mother was super woman, she raised 10 kids and always found a way to make ends meet. She showed me that no matter what, you don’t give up on family. After all of us were out of the house, she went on to work for the state of Wisconsin, taking care of the elderly in group homes for 11 years. Her first 6 years she worked as a volunteer. She was a genius and gave from her heart! She taught me to make the best of what you have, sometimes you don’t have the best, so you make it your best.”

“A true professional truck driver is somebody that keeps a good safety record and respects everyone on the highway. He or she is dedicated to what they do for a living with a sense of pride that does not benefit themselves, offering consistent quality service and loyalty.”

-Doug Schildgen

While a student in high school, Doug caught notice of a Warren Transport truck and the image never faded away. His big break came at the age of 23, an owner operator was selling a 1968 cabover Peterbilt with a 335 Cummins Diesel engine. It was leased on to Warren Transport, the only change was the new ownership. Doug ran heavy haul over-the-road in that truck for 4 years.

Throughout his 42-year career with Warren Transport, Doug has owned 5 trucks in total, including his current truck – a 1997 Freightliner. He was named Driver of the Year in 2000, his accident-free record has earned him several safe driving awards and he’s a 3-time Driver of the Month recipient. One of his most exclusive trips was delivering three John Deere Gators (utility vehicles) to the White House in 2003, for the Bush Administration’s Annual Easter Egg Hunt. Another specific experience was participating with churches, aiding Hurricane Katrina victims that served a deeper meaning for Doug. Along for the ride is 4-legged traveling companion, 13-year old Coco, his white Lhasa Apso. A seasoned tourist, Coco has joined Doug for the last 12 years on the road. Together they pull dry van on a dedicated run, consisting of a 7-state region: Wisconsin, Minnesota, South Dakota, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana and Ohio.

Initially, for Doug the freedom in selection of loads was top priority as an owner operator leased on to Warren Transport. Since switching to a dedicated lane, the quick pay system, the good investment/retirement fund available and the family-oriented atmosphere are a few of the advantages that the premiere carrier offers.

“We were able to put loads together and that’s where you made your revenue. Some companies let drivers do that, some don’t. So, that was a huge plus! We’ve come a long way, new guys have come in and implemented a lot of positive changes to better the company as a whole. Also, we have an excellent safety department. Warren Transport invests in safety provisions for our fleets. At the end of the day, it’s all about safety for everyone involved. That’s the most important.”

“Doug is and has always been willing to do whatever needs to be done, help when needed and is a true professional. He is nothing short of hardworking, loyal and charismatic. Here at Warren, his friendship and success means everything to us.”

-Director of Recruiting, John Shaw

To achieve such optimism and remain in high spirits, Doug says that the sureness of all things great and full of joy can be found in the gift of giving. For in the action of selflessness, the result always ends in the essence of life. The overwhelming feeling that money cannot buy; when a person is granted a moment of happiness is the exact state of mind Doug has been present in nearly all of his life. He asked, “Success is attained when whatever you strive for is complete, but was it for your own gain?” His willingness to help comes naturally, as some like me can wish to learn from.

He encourages drivers to create good habits, pursue dreams and travel the country. But never take chances behind the wheel, do the job with an open mind and always remember – nobody ever got a ticket for being decent. Courtesy goes a long way in this world. A wise man, this Doug Schildgen.