By Kylea McMurray
Moapa Valley Progress
Submitted July 9, 2008
The Moapa Valley 4th of July Committee presented two service awards to two outstanding members of the Moapa Valley Community. The awards are always presented during the Independence Day Program at the evening celebration. This year the Moapa Valley Spirit Award was given to Richard Rockenbach and the Service Spotlight Award went to Steve Getz.
Rockenbach lives in Logandale with his wife Linda and their son John Lucas.
Rockenbach has been actively involved volunteering at the local schools, particularly with activities that concern his son. He has volunteered at Bowler Elementary to run the Chess Club, to go on field trips and to complete reading assessments. Rockenbach has since spent a lot of time helping at W. Mack Lyon Middle School, especially helping with National History Day, U.S. Paralympic Academy, Northeast accreditation and business leader assessments. Needless to say, he has become a familiar face at the these schools.
Rockenbach is also involved in Make a Difference Day and Relay for Life, two huge community events.
In addition to these many hours of service to the community, the 4th of July committee was especially impressed with Rockenbach’s work in the Scouting program. Rockenbach has led five Boy Scout troops and two Cub Scout packs. He has also held multiple leadership positions in the Boy Scouts of America.
“I have watched Richard from a distance,” said Jacqulyn Pray, who presented the awards. “And I’ve been amazed at the way he inspires the boys to be good patriots. He has been an inspiration to so many young men.”
The Service Spotlight Award was given to Overton resident, Steve Getz. Getz has lived in Moapa Valley for many years and has spent countless hours volunteering in numerous capacities. His most recent service position is as President of the Moapa Valley Rotary Club. He has been serving as the President for about two and a half years.
Getz has been especially involved in helping make sure that Moapa Valley is structurally ready for the future. He served on the Strategic Planning Committee for four years and he helped develop a design overlay and assisted with the Logandale Trail Systems. He also served on the Citizens Advisory Committee for the Sewer project.
Getz has also been involved in the community as a businessman. He owned Overton Boat and RV Storage, and he is the founder and president of American West Analytical Laboratories in Salt Lake.
Getz has also been a member of the 4th of July Committee and spent all day Friday helping to make sure things went smoothly. As Rotary Presidnet, he was there to help serve breakfast and he stayed late in the evening to help with the fireworks as he was a volunteer firefighter and safety officer.
