Known for his good nature, kind heart and creative poems, Aubrey Mitchell, the associate dean of University of Tennessee libraries said his goodbyes for the last time at his retirement party Monday.

This Friday, Mitchell will retire after nearly 50 years of service to UT libraries, but he still remembers when he first applied to be student library assistant at the circulation desk of the James D. Hoskins Library, then the main building for UT libraries. He applied during his second year at UT in 1958 and got the job. It paid well, he said, with 75 cents per hour, and on top of that it put him right in between some of the most important university books.

After a six-year stint as an information specialist in the Army Reserves, Mitchell returned to UT Libraries, and in 1964, he was appointed as the head of the Agricultural Campus Library. Soon after, he received his bachelor’s degree in natural and social sciences; however, his passion for working with books remained, and in 1973 he obtained a master’s degree in library services.

Before climbing the ladder to his present position, Mitchell held several others. He was the associate dean of Collection Development, of Public Services and of Library Access Services. In 1996, more than 30 years after his induction as a library faculty member, Mitchell eventually was appointed the associate dean of UT libraries.

His retirement party was filled with friends, family and colleagues.

“What I will miss most of all about Aubrey is his optimism, calm reassurance and his warm smile,” Barbara Dewey, the dean of UT libraries, said.

Mitchell said a line from a poem he had written best expressed his thanks for the continuos support he has felt while at UT.

“What kept me going was sustaining faith, my family who saw me through and friends who stuck like glue,” he recited.

When asked what retirement has in store for him, he answered with a joke. “Working my tail off…you do not know my wife,” he said. He has no plan in terms of work but plans to volunteer at local churches and libraries.

“I also have five grandchildren, which is enough work for everyone,” he said.

Everyone on hand said they had nothing but kind words to share about Mitchell.

“I admire his dedication, he is a first class human being,” UT President Emeritus Joe Johnson said.

Jillian Keally, assistant dean of UT libraries, said Mitchell was more than a co-worker and will leave a lasting impression with the libraries’ staff.

“Aubrey is a legend in this university,” she said. “Everyone who leaves his office always feels good and has a smile on his or her face. Aubrey could never be replaced.”

Edith Jessie, widow of William Jessie, who hired Aubrey in 1964, was also at the retirement party. At the age of 100, she came from Nashville to tell Mitchell “goodbay.”

Among guests was Jeanne Sugg, state librarian and archivist at Tennessee Library and Archives in Nashville.

“Aubrey is a gentle giant who has raised the bar for all of us,” Sugg said.