York Suburban Director of Finance Dennis Younkin is wrapping up four decades in education this year.

He might be the only retired business manager to call South Dakota, Wyoming, Maryland and Pennsylvania home, too.

Younkin, 63, grew up in western Pennsylvania but went to college at South Dakota Wesleyan, where he earned a football scholarship to play quarterback.

"That was the best thing for me," he said of moving to the middle of the country. "It was quite a trek."After marrying his college sweetheart and working in-state, he moved on to Wyoming and later made stops in Maryland and State College, Pa. before landing at York Suburban five years ago.

Younkin said he's had a "great experience" with his York Suburban peers, but "now is a great time to do something else," although he's still figuring out just what that will be.Younkin said he's seen waves of changes in school finances over 42 years, especially since Pennsylvania put in property tax caps in 2006 with Act 1.

"I've gone through a couple of different swings in the economy," he said. "You just can't raise revenues to meet program needs the way you used to."

To help York Suburban with its transition, superintendent Kate Orban said Younkin, whom the district will "greatly miss," will stay on for a short period with the new business manager. Orban said the district is being aggressive in finding someone soon.

Younkin's retirement is effective at the end of the school year, although he'll likely leave by May.

- Reach Andrew Shaw at ashaw@yorkdispatch.com