The IRS tends to take a bad rap. It's demonized for the actions of just a few of its more than 100,000 employees. The vast majority of the folks who work for "the Service," as they like to call it, are good people. Many of them are actually smart. And some of them are absolutely outstanding.

One of those in that last category has taken his well-deserved retirement beginning this week. His name is Bob Wenzel, and over 40 years, he worked his way up from lowly auditor, through the ranks, and all the way to acting commissioner. For a while he was the guy who ran the whole shop.

I had the pleasure of spending a day with Bob in the early '90s, when he was the director of the Ogden, Utah Internal Revenue Service Center, and I was a rookie on what was then called the Commissioner's Advisory Group. He gave me the tour of the sprawling Ogden operation, and I couldn't help but be impressed by his enthusiasm, dedication, managerial skills, and care. And those attributes were contagious.

There's a pretty good summary of Bob's career here. I'm sure he will be missed around 1111 Constitution Avenue (IRS headquarters). I wish him the best of luck in his retirement.