Children inherit traits from their parents. Sometimes it’s physical traits and sometimes it’s personality traits, or passions and interests. As children grow up, they are constant observers, and influenced by what they see. No doubt, children pick up both on what their parents say and do. Hence, the emergence of sayings such as, “like father, like son.” For this group of men, they bring the phrase to life by keeping a legacy alive and following in their father’s footsteps.
Chad Sanger
Between a cattle operation and a construction business, Chad Sanger and his father John Sanger have worked together for 32 years. After college, Chad had a farrier service, which provided trimming, cleaning, and shoeing horses hooves. However, Chad found that the volume for his farrier service slowed down in the winter. In January 1998, John had a heart attack and during his recovery, Chad stepped in to help with his father’s construction business. Through his act of service, Chad discovered numerous aspects he enjoyed, which led to the inception of Turnkey Builders in 1999. Chad and his father brought Northern Colorado hands-on expertise in new commercial and residential construction, remodels, agricultural, post-frame, and steel frame building. Chad and John ran Turnkey Builders together until 2013, when John retired from that business, and Chad took over as President.
Chad and John are still in charge of a cattle operation with Aberdeen and commercial Angus cattle and calves. Chad said the rewards always outweigh the challenges when working with family. “The age difference brings opinions of the old and new, but a combination can keep one grounded in what’s really important,” said Chad.
Chad’s fondest memory of working with his dad involves a hot summer day when Chad was sheeting a roof. John was so hot he put shorts on; according to Chad, likely the second time he remembers his dad wearing shorts. It had rained and there was a lot of mud. Reaching to pass Chad a tool, John slowly fell forward to his hands and slid down a muddy hill, which seemed to last 10 minutes. John quickly replied after finally coming to a stop with, “holy cow did you see those ninja-like reflexes?”
Bittersweet moments exist when working with family. Chad cherishes the time he spends working with his dad. The hardest part about working together for Chad was getting to the point where he witnessed his dad no longer able to do the work that he enjoyed. That tough situation gives Chad perspective and his advice for sons and fathers working together is to find value in the time spent together and the lessons learned along the way.
Chisum Docheff
Looking back and reflecting on various life opportunities, Chisum Docheff believes he had a good probability of landing at his family’s farm. “Both of my parents tried to build a successful business that us kids could have the chance to come back to,” said Chisum. Chisum has worked alongside his dad, Jim Docheff, since he was a kid growing up on that farm. Today, Chisum and his brother, Josh, work at Blue Sky Dairy, owned by his dad and mom.
Although Chisum would say he has worked with his dad his entire life, he and Jim have officially worked together at Blue Sky Dairy for the last 11 years, following Chisum’s completion of college at Northeastern Junior College (NJC) in Sterling, Colorado. Challenges can occur when working with family. At times, Chisum said they might have the same goal, but the approach to get to the goal isn’t always the same. Even with disagreements on approach, Chisum said the joys far outweigh the challenges. The number one joy of working with his father is knowing he has a great supporter. “I always know he has my best interest in mind and is my biggest fan in supporting my success,” said Chisum. “You never have the feeling that you’re just an employee.”
Working with family can have it ups and downs. But Chisum believes that if you have the chance to work with your dad, you are extremely blessed. “A day will come that you would do anything to work one more day with your dad and you won’t be able too,” said Chisum. “So don’t ever let the bad outweigh the good.”
Chisum knows that through it all, it’s the people that carry you. “It is always great to have someone who you may not always agree with, but they always support you 100%,” said Chisum. As his father says, “Tough times don’t last, tough people do.” Chisum has fond memories of the accomplishments he and his family have made working together. But he said the fondest memory of all is always the next one to come.
A relationship between a father and son is unique and a bond can grow through the shared interests of working together. Perhaps the strongest bonds grow simply by spending time together. Knowing someone is always there for you is priceless. It’s through stories like these that we can witness the beauty and connection of what it means to be “like father, like son.”
"A day will come that you would do anything to work one more day with your dad..." Chisum Docheff said.