Our Volunteer of the Year for 2024, as voted by the Board of Directors, was born in the Great Lakes State of Michigan, a self-described natural water baby. Learning to swim at a very early age by the immersion method, he grew up enjoying swimming, boating, canoeing, fishing, waterskiing—just about any activity involving water—and he played hockey in the winter, which is, of course, played on frozen water. His love of the outdoors was, no doubt, enhanced by the many camping trips his family took together.

He majored in Business Administration at Ferris State University in Michigan (the current reigning NCAA Division Two Football champions: go Bulldogs!) and minored in Speech and Dramatics. On stage, he met Jane, whom he describes as “his love and lifelong partner.” They married and began careers in the insurance industry outside Detroit. They raised two sons together, both now pursuing interesting careers in their own right.

They moved to Washington state in 1976. They brought with them their passion for hiking and climbing peaks in the Cascades. In Washington, he discovered sea kayaking—that water theme again—and built his own kayak from mahogany, which he affectionately named Ursula, or She Bear. Sea-faring adventures took him through the waters of Puget Sound, around the San Juan Islands and Vancouver Island, out into the Pacific Ocean, and on other Northwest marine trails.

Time spent with his sons led him to become a volunteer in a 4H program that focused on natural resources, not domestic animals. The program introduced participants to the untamed world: sea mammals like whales and sea lions, tide pool life, and shore birds. Inland, the program worked with the Forest Service and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife in spawning hatchery salmon, feeding thousands of elk and bighorn sheep, and even howling with wolves. He also taught water safety classes and guided trips on the Upper Skagit River, where a part of the natural beauty includes more than 200 bald eagles.

Even after his boys passed through 4H, he continued his involvement with the 4H Foundation at a ropes course that served more than 1,000 youth each year, many of whom had been labeled “at risk.” No surprise for us to learn that he eventually became a leader/facilitator/trainer. In that role, he often worked with sociologists and psychologists to debrief the impact of the activities. The importance and value of “learning by doing,” experiential education, made a significant impact on him.

In 2006, he and Jane moved to Arizona. His career path led him to become the Regional Vice President of Marine Operations—that water theme again—for 22 years for CNA, one of the largest casualty insurance companies in the country. There are a number of major projects around the region that bear his touch, including Ronald McDonald House in Tucson and the Lowell Discovery Telescope by Mormon Lake.

As he approached retirement, he became involved with the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) and served on both a local council and the Pima County Board of Directors. It was an OLLI course led by Jim Woodward that brought the Friends of Madera Canyon to his attention. This appealed to his love for the outdoors.

His involvement began with volunteering at the Visitor Information Station, which he still does as a fill-in. He became a member of the Board of Directors, then Vice President, then President for four years. His leadership brought the Friends through the COVID times, and we know the impact that COVID had on many organizations. During that period, though, the Friends produced a series of quality videos that brought the Madera Canyon experience as close to people as COVID allowed, and he championed transitioning to an electronic format for notices, events, the Canyon Chatter, and balloting.

The last accomplishment of his term as President was the restoration of the hill above the Roundup or Wrightson Parking Lot, an effort that involved 40 separate non-profit and for-profit entities to complete. That work continued the proud history of the Friends being stewards of the Canyon in significant ways.

He’s not through. If you receive an e-blast, he’s the blaster. If you read NABUR notices about the Friends, he’s the author. He works with Terry Donnelly and the scouts of Troop 247, with me on the project to replace benches between Proctor Road and the Madera Picnic Area, with Bob Proctor on the Protection Initiative, and he co-chairs the Honor and Memory Wall Committee. He’s any President’s dream predecessor because he is always available when I have a question.

I have often quoted a comment he made as he and I left a Troop 247 meeting, one that captures his love of Madera Canyon and his wisdom about what any of us can do to improve our world: “We may not be able to make a noticeable difference on the planet, but we can make a profound difference in the four miles of our beloved Madera Canyon.”

I am proud to present the 2024 Bud Gode Volunteer of the Year, Rusty Lombardo.

Dan White, President