Like an Olympic runner passing the torch, former Dickinson Parks and Recreation Park Operations Manager Bruce Kary knows the race goes on though his leg is finished.
"He has dedicated a lot of his life outside of work to parks and recreation," said director James Kramer. "He set the bar very high for the future to continue what he's done in our parks and facilities."
Kary has committed more than 31 years of service to Dickinson Parks and Recreation.
"Over the years, I've enjoyed the experiences that I've had with Dickinson Parks and Rec," he said.
Kary started his career with the park district as a part-time maintenance person at the ballpark in the early '70s. After working briefly for his father at an implement dealership, he returned to the park district through a government-training program. Over the years, he has built on his knowledge and expertise through a combination of his own experiences and those of others.
ADVERTISEMENT
"It was a lot of hands-on learning and from attending different schools over the years," Kary said. "I also learned a lot from working with other park districts and getting their input."
Some of the projects Kary has been involved with over the years include construction of Gress Softball Complex, irrigation of various park district properties, renovation of the Dickinson dike, the playground equipment replacement project, getting indoor ice at the Dickinson Recreation Center, construction of the West River Community Center and the tennis addition.
"And that's just the tip of the iceberg of what he's done over the years," Kramer said. "Our town has grown and our infrastructure as a district has had to change with that and Bruce has been a big part of that."
The board formally recognized Kary's retirement at its regular meeting Monday. Several fellow employees attended and gave a standing ovation in his honor.
"I can't take all the credit," Kary said. "I've worked with about five directors, several board members and a lot of part-time help and full-time help over the years. Without them, we couldn't have done so much."
With several years of service, Kary has not only contributed a significant quantity of time, but he also put quality work into his time as superintendent.
"Bruce has the ability to get his staff to keep those facilities in world-class condition all the time no matter what time of the year," Kramer said. "Those facilities were always perfectly manicured and maintained and that's a direct reflection on Bruce."
Board president Mike Lefor added "(Bruce has) served as the foundation for Dickinson Parks and Recreation, through good times and difficult times. The citizens of this community and (his) fellow employees are better off for having known (him) and having learned from (him) and having worked with (him). We are deeply indebted to (him) for all (he) has done, all (his) hard work and the energy (he has) given to this district for the past 31 years."
