Posthumous Retirement Ceremony Honors Lost Brother

SMART-TD Local 1190 (Ludlow, Kentucky) has a longstanding tradition of presenting a gold retirement bell to its members at the end of their careers.

Brother Thomas D. Hein (Local 1190) was set to receive his retirement bell in September of 2025 but sadly passed away nearly a year earlier in October of 2024.

As a 36-year member who served as both a Local Chairman for LCA 898B and the Secretary for GCA 898 under General Chairperson Tommy Gholson, Brother Hein’s union family was determined that he still receive his retirement award after his passing.

On December 9, 2025, Local 1190 presented Brother Hein’s retirement bell to his wife, Paula, and his sons, Zach and Jack. Belonging to a union is more than a contract and membership card; we stand together when we’re here and honor one another when we’re gone.

“It was an honor to present Brother Hein’s retirement bell to his beloved family and continue this tradition,” said Local 1190 President Robert Munch. “We miss him and his service to our union every day, but we wanted to show his loved ones that they’re just as much a part of our organization as he was. Whether in life or death, the bonds of our union family run deep.”