Serving Beyond Our Church

One of the six marks of discipleship is “serve at and beyond our church.” Serving seems to be in the DNA of Trinity folks and you don’t have to look far to find someone who walks the walk. From time to time, our “Think Piece” will focus on someone who personifies this principle. So far, we have looked at Meghan Mitchell and her ministry to young women with breast cancer. This week, we will take a look at Dick Obrecht, as an example of someone who lives to serve others.

Dick started his career as a History teacher at Ruggles-Troy High School, back in the early 1960s. Later, he became a Guidance Counselor at Ashland High School. After several years there, he took the position of Academic Counselor at Ashland College and retired as Registrar Emeritus from Ashland University in 1999.

After retirement, Dick began volunteering at Samaritan Hospital. Year after year, he receives the award as the volunteer with the most hours (by far). In addition to his scheduled hours, he often fills in when someone can’t serve a shift. He doesn’t do this to receive any accolades or honors, but because he has always wanted to help make others’ lives better. Dick has been a wonderful example to his family. His wife, Carol, also volunteers at Samaritan and his daughter, Kathy Shelly, fills in as a volunteer there, when needed.

Jill Hartson, Samaritan Volunteer Services Coordinator, says this about Dick...  “Since joining the Volunteer Program at Samaritan Hospital in 1999, Dick has volunteered 6,995 hours! That averages to around 500 hours a year! He is an outstanding community leader and a wonderful testament of God’s love through service. I am truly blessed and honored to work alongside Dick with the Volunteer Program. He is the first person I call when I need advice or need to hear a reassuring voice. I admire his commitment to serving others and I am so grateful our community has role models as gracious, humble, kind, and remarkable as Dick.”

Of course, Dick is very involved in serving at his church and can be found there every Monday morning as a money counter. He also serves as a Financial Secretary assistant & Choral Music Librarian. He kept the Rose Garden looking lovely for many years and has served on several committees, as well as Church Council. He and Carol have also been fixtures in the choir program for decades.

When we are face to face with God, we all want Him to say, “Well done my good and faithful servant.”  He will surely say that to Dick. We are very thankful for him and for all of our Trinity folks who show the love of Jesus in their everyday lives.