Deer Run Dad Enjoys His Toys:

Paul Eickhoff doesn't mind taking his work home with him; especially when it's covered in chrome and accented with flames.

As Operations Manager at the Polaris Distribution Center in Vermillion, Eickhoff has a chance to try out several of the company's products.

The warm summer days have allowed Eickhoff a chance to ride his Polaris Victory Jackpot motorcycle. But soon, Fall will give way to his new Polaris RZR (pronounced razor), a four wheel, two seated dune buggy of sorts that accepts a snow plow attachment.

"I actually can't wait for the first day it snows. It makes me mad when somebody cleans my driveway, because I want to clean my driveway," Eickhoff laughed. "I want to go around and clean other people's driveways."

And when he's not clearing snow, he'll be joy riding on top of it in a Polaris snowmobile.

But, for Eickhoff, it's all just part of his job.

Working at Polaris

When you are responsible for selling and promoting 50,000 different parts numbers at a warehouse with over $60 million in inventory value, you better know your products inside and out.

"We distribute to 1700 US dealers, 275 Canada dealers and then there is well over a thousand international," Eickhoff explained of the Vermillion distribution center for Polaris.

The Minnesota based company chose Vermillion for its parts distribution center because of its central location, ease of interstate access for east-west shipping and college town atmosphere full of students able to work varying shifts.

In January, Polaris completed a physical expansion to their Vermillion building, making way for even more parts and accessories. They have eliminated three of their four off-site warehouses and were able to re-work their productivity.

"When I left Gateway, I was kind of, not jealous, but I thought the people that went home and they played with their computers all night, because they thought it was so cool, that's not me. I'm not a computer guy," Eickhoff explained of his voluntary transition from Gateway to Polaris. "I want to work for a company where I can go home and play with the stuff. And now I can."

And the commute to Vermillion doesn't bother Eickhoff either. With XM radio and books on CD, his half hour drive goes quick.

And when he has several modes of transportation to choose from, the ride never really gets boring. On nice days, the motorcycle gets a work out. The truck makes most trips, but in the Fall, the street legal RZR will even make the trek a few times.

Deer Run is Home

2002 was an exciting year for Eickhoff. He started his new job with Polaris, his wife Julie started her career in real estate, they built and moved into a new home at Deer Run and the couple was pregnant with their daughter, Ali.

Now, the family is enjoying the Deer Run community in McCook Lake, filled with young children and young parents, just like themselves.

What do they like most about their community?

"I think the rural feel with neighbors," Eickhoff explained. "We really wanted to have a little bit of space. We stood on the lot and said "this is nice."

Although he loves the area, Eickhoff does admit the two hours of mowing on the weekends isn't his favorite chore. It's too bad Polaris doesn't make a lawn mower attachment for the RZR.

"I had two weeks off between Gateway and Polaris, and we sheet rocked this whole house in those two weeks," this do-it-yourselfer proclaimed.

When he's not doing home improvements, Eickhoff enjoys golfing, hunting, fishing, any activities on the water, wood working, metal working and operating the family owned Royal Carwash in Elk Point.

"I have too many hobbies at this time. I'll have to narrow it down later in life," Eickhoff joked.

Family Time

But, when a free weekend makes an appearance, it's all about family time.

Eickhoff is one of 11 children. Visiting local family members in South Dakota and Nebraska with his wife and daughter takes priority.

But, to this South Dakota dad, being a father is one of the greatest decisions he's made. Amazed at the growth and changes in his daughter over the last few years, Eickhoff just keeps taking it in. He even documented his daughter's most witty sayings in the family holiday card last year.

And in August, he watched her start her first day of kindergarten at Dakota Valley Elementary.

"For the last three years she has been waiting to ride the bus and go to school, because it's her deal," Eickhoff explained. "Mom and dad can't come. School is her deal. She's an incredible kid."

With a summer filled with dance lessons, tumbling and even a try at t-ball, this dad couldn't be more proud of his daughter, even if she isn't headed to the world series.

"She's very social, so it was more about talking to whoever is on base by her," Eickhoff explained of Ali's t-ball games. "It's more about the social aspect."

Ali's social, friendly nature must come partially from her mother, Julie. The outgoing, personable mother and wife is a real estate agent at Pro Link Realty in Sioux City. The newly formed and technologically innovative agency offers its clients virtual tours, home information sent to your cell phone and a through, interactive website.

But, when there aren't parts to distribute, houses to sell, or school buses to ride, this family of three enjoys the Midwest life.

"This area is great," Eickhoff said. "South Dakota is a great state to live in."

***This article was originally published in the North Sioux City / Dakota Dunes Times by Sedgwick Publishing.***