Volunteering a way of life for Dr. Lidkea

Living by the motto “Volunteering is the tax you pay for living in a good community,” Dr. Robert Lidkea has been a dedicated volunteer since he came to Fort Frances in 1952.
After 55 years of service, and with no sign of stopping now, Dr. Lidkea was honoured as by the Town of Fort Frances as the 2007 “Citizen of the Year” at its annual appreciation dinner Friday night at La Place Rendez-Vous.
Dr. Lidkea said that while he received a silver spoon after being born a New Year’s baby on Jan. 1, 1931, earned a gold medal while at college, and literally has a wall full of awards at his optometry office on Scott Street, nothing compared to being named “Citizen of the Year.”
“I had recent surgery 11 days ago, which has left me somewhat weak and a bit overemotional, but the awards that I have all pale in comparison to this one,” he remarked Friday night.
“This means more than all of them.”
Dr. Lidkea, who underwent a quadruple bypass two weeks ago Monday, was notified of the honour of being named the 2007 “Citizen of the Year” the day after his heart surgery.
“It was a surprise,” he noted.
Dr. Lidkea stressed the importance of being a volunteer in one’s community.
“I’ve always had the attitude: ‘It’s not what’s in it for me, but what can I bring to this group or organization,’” he said, adding he has no interest in ever giving up his volunteer ways.
Being the town’s 20th “Citizen of the Year,” Dr. Lidkea said he’ll be in good company when his photo is put up on the wall alongside past honourees at the Civic Centre.
“I’ve been around. I knew them all,” he chuckled. “There’s been many Kiwanians before me and many of my church people before me. We’re a pretty elite group.”
Dr. Lidkea’s son, Dr. Bruce Lidkea, nominated his father for the honour and was proud to see him take to the stage Friday night.
“Certainly, this isn’t the first time I’ve been proud of Dad. This is just one of those great occasions where a great guy is being recognized by his community,” said Dr. Bruce Lidkea.
“I’m so glad this is Dad’s year.”
In his nomination letter, Dr. Bruce Lidkea noted: “I think my father is an excellent example of how a person can give back to his community, his profession, and his family without asking for anything in return.
“I remember asking my dad years ago why he spent so much time volunteering. His answer came very quickly: ‘Volunteering is the tax you pay for living in a good community.’
“I think it took several years for me to fully appreciate what my father was saying and how it applies to all of our daily lives.”
“He has definitely made a commitment to volunteering for a great number of years and with recently renewed strength, I believe he will continue to be a role model to all age groups for years to come,” said 2000 “Citizen of the Year” Bill Gushulak, who sat on this year’s selection committee with 1994 “Citizen of the Year,” Mark Kowalchuk, Mayor Roy Avis, and Coun. Sharon Tibbs.
Gushulak outlined Dr. Lidkea’s career of volunteering in Fort Frances during Friday night’s recognition dinner.
Dr. Lidkea has been a member of the local Kiwanis Cub for 55 years, and had perfect attendance at Kiwanis meetings for 50 of those.
He’s been active in a variety of Kiwanis projects and committees over the years, serving terms as president first in 1961, and then again in 1996 and 1997.
He also served as Lieutenant-Governor for the Western Canada District in 1973-74.
“Recognizing that the future success of communities lies with our youth, he [Dr. Lidkea] also was instrumental in the development of the Kiwanis Builders Club at Robert Moore School, which continues to be a very positive activity for the students and our community,” noted Gushulak.
In addition to being a town councillor from 1980-85, Dr. Lidkea also served as chair of the Christmas Seal campaign for several years and as secretary for the last six.
Over the years, Dr. Lidkea also represented Fort Frances on the Kenora-Rainy River District Health Council, the Kenora-Rainy River Emergency Health Committee, and the Northwestern Ontario and Province of Ontario Health Services Committees.
During these years, he served in various leadership roles working for the betterment of health services in Northwestern Ontario.
Dr. Lidkea also has been a dedicated and active member of St. John’s Anglican Church.
“To exemplify exactly how long our honoured volunteer has been serving the community, I found it noteworthy that at a time when the Noden Causeway is awaiting crucial maintenance after years of wear and tear, tonight we recognize an individual who was actively involved with the committee that commemorated the opening of that same Noden Causeway back in 1965,” noted Gushulak.
After that historical event, Dr. Lidkea went on to serve on the Canada centennial celebration committee in 1967.
Dr. Lidkea also has been recognized in the field of optometry, and was honoured by the Ontario Association of Optometrists in 2004 when received the Millennium Award for Public Service.
“In this area, he has volunteered his time to discuss and promote optometry to a number of local students who have then gone on to complete their studies and are now themselves working as optometrists in a variety of Canadian communities,” said Gushulak.
“In more ways than one, I believe it is safe to say that our recipient has kept an ‘eye’ on Fort Frances for most of his life, and tonight we recognize and show appreciation for that,” he added.
Dr. Lidkea was given the “Citizen of the Year” plaque by Mayor Avis at Friday night’s dinner.
“Bob, thank you very, very much for your contributions to this community,” said Mayor Avis.
“I’ve heard it said that making a living is what you get, and making a life is what you give. And I think Dr. Bob Lidkea is certainly the embodiment of that statement,” remarked emcee Darryl Allan.
< *c>Other honourees
Also at Friday night’s dinner, seven retirees were recognized and thanked for their years of service to the town. They included Murray Fairnington, Nick Hnatiuk, Linda Hyatt, Steve Gagne, Linda Kitowski, Bev Sandmoen, and Juliana Sprovieri.
As well, the dinner recognized those employees who reached 25 years of service with the town. They included Dawn Lundy, Joe Bobczynski, and Lynne Savage.
Past retirees and employees who previously had reached 25 years of service also were noted Friday night.
The program also included recognition of spouses of deceased employees, councillors, management, media, and the 30-plus town boards and committees, which include town staff and councillors as well as citizens among their membership.
A moment of silence was held to note the death of former town employee Ron Sinclair, who passed away earlier this year.