Fremont man recieves volunteer of the year award

If there’s a disaster in town, Dave Proctor is likely to be there.

No, he certainly doesn’t cause the disasters.

Instead, he brings help and relief to families stricken by a host of heart-breaking catastrophes such fires, floods and windstorms.

And he’s spent lots of years helping people.

For his efforts, the Fremont man recently was presented with The Henry R. Roose Volunteer of the Year Award from the Heartland Chapter/Regional Office of the American Red Cross. He received the award at the Ironwood Golf and Country Club in Omaha during the annual board of directors meeting.

Now medically retired with Parkinson’s disease, Proctor became involved with the Red Cross in late 1980s while working at Platte Chemical Co. Back then, he began teaching Red Cross first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation classes at the Fremont plant.

He later started serving on the Red Cross board (now called the Advisory Council) and then was elected chairman.

“I got on the disaster team and I’ve been on it ever since,” he said.

Proctor explained that the Disaster Action Team goes to a disaster site to help those affected. For instance, the Red Cross can provide debit cards for food and clothing and motel vouchers to people whose home has been destroyed by a fire.

“We talk to the people and find out what they need,” he said.

Proctor had various responsibilities after a windstorm at Woodcliff last year. Proctor said he was there for several days, only going home to shower. While there, he helped feed area residents, assisted with damage assessment and took care of a refrigerated truck in which people who lost power to their homes could store their goods.

“I was out there four nights; it was five days total,” he said.

Proctor doesn’t spend much time dwelling on his service to others, however.

“It’s just normal stuff for me,” he said. “I just go out and do it.”

There are incomparable rewards, though.

Proctor was deeply touched by family who wrote a letter to the editor of the Fremont Tribune thanking the Red Cross for its assistance.

“They talked about what it meant to them and how they felt ... how it made them feel so much better,” said Proctor, who added the letter almost moved him to tears.

But he’s quick to add he’s happy if people simply express verbal appreciation.

What’s more, he believes in volunteerism.

“You can’t afford to pay everybody to do all the stuff that volunteers are doing,” he said. “I can’t see taking a paycheck for something I enjoy that much.”

Besides helping the Red Cross, Proctor, a Vietnam War and Gulf War veteran, is president of the Dodge County Radio Emergency Associated Communications Teams (REACT). He also is supply officer and former commander of the Civil Air Patrol, Fremont Cadet Squadron.

Proctor also is a trained storm spotter and works tutoring and mentoring young adults, said Deb Sorensen-Peery, Red Cross service delivery and public support coordinator for Dodge County.

Despite his many activities, Proctor was surprised to receive the award.

“I got a phone call. It took me a couple of minutes to catch my breath, because I couldn’t believe it,” he said. “It was still hard to believe until I walked up there and got the actual award.”

He is pleased with the award.

“I was proud to get it, but I really didn’t think I deserved it,” he said.

But Sorensen-Peery, who nominated Proctor for the award, would disagree.

“Dave is more than deserving,” she said. “He will help anyone at anytime. ... He’s just a terrific guy. He doesn’t do it for recognition. He does it because he really believes in helping people.”