Life often throws us into the realm of “what ifs,” a place where dreams and reality sometimes intersect. Keith Uhlig, a writer from Wausau, decided to explore one such “what if” by stepping into the world of truck driving, a career path that had always intrigued him.
Despite his father’s advice against it, Uhlig attributes his foray into trucking to the influence of his dad, Delbert “Toby” Uhlig, a seasoned big-rig driver. Growing up near Colby, Uhlig spent many summers riding alongside his father as he transported gasoline between the Twin Cities and Green Bay.
Uhlig admired his father’s skillful handling of the truck, from shifting gears to maneuvering in tight spaces, and aspired to follow in his footsteps. However, his dad had other plans, bluntly telling a 13-year-old Keith, “You’re not going to be a trucker.” With no explanation forthcoming, Uhlig speculated that the job’s challenges were to blame.
Instead, Uhlig pursued a career in journalism, spending three decades as a newspaper reporter. Yet, the allure of trucking never completely faded. After his father’s health began to decline, Uhlig found himself drawn back into the trucking world through stories shared at his father’s Trucker’s Breakfast Club, rekindling his childhood fascination.
A suggestion from a fellow trucker led him to Roehl Transport in Marshfield, which offers paid training for aspiring drivers. Uhlig reached out to Roehl and was soon contacted by a recruiter. However, he wasn’t ready to start immediately and was advised to reach out whenever he was prepared.
Following his father’s passing and a buyout offer from his newspaper, Uhlig seized the opportunity to chase his trucking dream, starting at Roehl’s Marshfield Terminal one October morning.
The training was intense and swift. By the second day, Uhlig was behind the wheel of a semi, navigating a gravel practice course at 12 mph. Despite the thrill, he was plagued by anxiety, especially after hitting a pylon during a turn. The experience highlighted the high-stakes responsibility of truck driving, where a small mistake could have grave consequences.
As training progressed onto the actual streets of Marshfield, Uhlig struggled with the cognitive demands of driving a semi-truck, which required constant awareness of speed, vehicle size, and surrounding traffic. His anxiety grew, culminating in a stressed and fearful state by the second week.
Recalling his father’s warning against trucking, Uhlig wondered if his dad understood his limitations better than he did. Ultimately, he chose to leave the program, acknowledging the risk his anxiety posed to safety.
Although Uhlig now owes Roehl $7,000 for the training, he harbors no regrets. He gained a profound respect for his father’s career and invaluable insights into both the trucking industry and himself.
Editor’s note: A longer version of this story — plus more of his adventures in trucking and retirement — can be found on Keith Uhlig’s Substack.
“Wisconsin Life” is a co-production of Wisconsin Public Radio and PBS Wisconsin. The project celebrates what makes the state unique through the diverse stories of its people, places, history, and culture.
