Dwight Eisenhower was president when Ernie Topness began delivering mail in 1957.

Sixty-two years later, Ike is long gone, but Topness is still going strong.

The Cedar Rapids, IA, letter carrier began his postal career after serving in the Army for two years during the Korean War.

Topness is the only USPS employee in Western Area with more than six decades of service. He also has accumulated more than 5,600 hours of sick leave.

“I just love what I do,” he said. “My customers all know me by first name. They look forward to seeing the mailman and come out to chat with me daily.”

Topness works out of West Station, where Customer Services Supervisor Rod Lympus said he’s “a fixture. … He shows up every day with a smile, great attitude, and ready to hit the street no matter what. We can’t keep him home. … He’d rather work.”

Other postal workers who have more than six decades of service include Theodore Rogers, a Chicago mail handler.

Topness has spent his entire postal career in Cedar Rapids, and he said he doesn’t plan to retire anytime soon.

“I feel great,” he said. “No aches or pains, so why not?”