Eric Tieskoetter of Runde Auto Group

Eric Tieskoetter

To honor our hard working mechanics we had a sit down interview with one of them while he was in between projects. Let me introduce to you – Eric Tieskoetter. Oh the smells one would encounter being a mechanic. Exhaust, gas, diesel, oil, anti-freeze, and of course the mysterious “surprise” smell. The pains and misery their hands go through, the headaches, the frustrations… it’s, to say the least, no easy task to be a vehicle technician. 

Hey Eric, tell the people a bit about yourself
I was born in Dubuque and still live there. I moved several times throughout my life.  I’ve lived in Iowa City, Coralville, Cedar Rapids and Texas (for a year). I’ve lived in Dubuque for about 25 years though.

How old are you?
I’ll be 31 in two weeks; February 18th.

Do you have any plans for your birthday?
I don’t know yet, just lucky to be alive.

What is your position here at Runde’s?
I’m a mechanic.

How long have you been with us?
3 years. But I’ve been a mechanic, off and on, since I was 18.

What made you want to be a mechanic?
I like working hard. I like tinkering around with things and figuring out how they work.

What is the most difficult project you have worked on?
Not many things that are hard, I just can’t work with diesel engines.

What do you like most about your job?
That I get to work hard on something I like to do.

Are you married?
Yes, I’ve been married to Heather for two-and-a-half years.

Do you remember your first date with Heather?
It’s kind of a weird story. But I met Heather over the internet for about a year. We talked for awhile and eventually wanted to meet. So I picked her up at the airport and married her five-and-a-half years later. I was in college at the time at University of Iowa for Mechanical engineering but Heather got pregnant so I had to leave.

Ever plan on going back?
It all depends, maybe.

What kind of vehicle do you drive?
I drive an ’03 Avalanche. My wife drives an ’05 Equinox. We bought both of them from Runde’s and they have been great.

How many kids do you have?
Two Girls – Zoie is three and Brylie is one. They are in daycare now, Zoie might go to preschool next year.

What does Heather do?
She works at Eagle Ridge Resort but is also going to school.

Speaking of the special lady, do you have any plans for Valentines day?
Nothing planned yet.

Do you have any pets?
Draco is our Miniature Pinscher. He’s four years old. He gets all over the place. If we have any food on the counter he will jump up and get it. He’s such a small animal, only weighs four pounds, and the counter is so high, it’s amazing. He can make such a mess **long drawn out sigh**

Did you dress up for Halloween last year?
I took the girls trick or treating. They had a good time, they were dressed as red Devils.

What does Eric Tieskoetter like to do in his spare time?
Play PS3 or Xbox – I like Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, it’s really fun. I like to cook food. I’m also re-building a boat with a friend.

I play that too, maybe I’ll catch you online sometime.
Sounds good!

If you were abducted by aliens, what would be your plan of attack to escape the mother-ship?
(Eric looks at the question for awhile, looks back up at me with his mouth partly open and a look of confusion across his face) Uhhhhh…. huh?

You know, they abducted you, how do you escape their grasp?
I would wait until one of the aliens was alone with me, cut any restraints they have on me with a hidden knife, take out the alien that’s alone with me and “wear him” as a disguise as I sneak out the ship.

Good answer, the old disguise technique, eh? Who do you think manufactured the mothership?
Probably the government.

Do you think the ship would be hard to repair the ship if it came to need fixing?
It depends on what kind of ship it was.

Lets say a flying saucer.
Then I’d say no. I’m really good with wiring.

What is your favorite restaurant?
I have two favorites. Mulgrew’s in East Dubuque and and Salsa’s in Dubuque.

I love Salsa’s, what do you like to get from there?
Their BIG burritos. *Eric spreads apart his hands about the width of his shoulders indicating that their burritos are… awesome.*

You said you like cooking, what do you like to make?
Everything. I cook steak quite a bit.

Does your wife like your cooking?
*shrugs* Sometimes.

Do you have a favorite movie?
Too many… off the top of my head; Final Destination, Matrix, and Crank. We watch them on our big T.V. at home.

Favorite sports team?
*points to his hat* Iowa.

Who are you rooting for to win the super-bowl, Saints or Colts?
Colts.

How are you liking the winter?
Eh, sometimes I like it. I don’t really like the snow much but I go snowmobiling. I like summer better.

If Eric Tieskoetter was to win the lottery, what would he do with the money.
It would depend on how much.

Lets say $30 million.
I’d move next to a lake. Somewhere peaceful where I can fish. I would also travel all over the U.S. and Canada.

What do you and your family like to do together?
We go on vacations. We went to Wisconsin Dells before.

Candy or Gum? …………………….. Gum
Pizza or Spaghetti? ……………….. Pizza
Packers or Bears? ………………….. Neither
McDonalds or Burger King? ……. McDonalds
Coke or Pepsi? ……………………….. Dr. Pepper
Gordon or Junior? …………………. Gordon
Christmas or Thanksgiving? ….. Both
Madonna or Lady GaGa? ………… Uh, I don’t know… Madonna maybe?

Thank you for your time Eric!