BUCKHANNON – Dave Rowan, a longtime volunteer at the Upshur Cooperative Parish House and with the Buckhannon Police Department’s Volunteers In Police Service program, was honored with the Rotary Club of Buckhannon-Upshur’s Spirit of Service Award during the club’s April 7 meeting.
Rowan has volunteered at the Parish House for 20 years, where Caroline Fulks, assistant director of the Upshur Cooperative Parish House, said he is often the first person people see when they walk through the doors. Fulks said Rowan also has served with VIPS since the program was founded in 2014, helping with traffic control, ride-alongs, parades and festivals.
In 2024, Rowan received the program’s founder’s medal in recognition of 10 years of service with VIPS. Fulks also highlighted Rowan’s ties to the community, from his walks around town to his attendance at First United Methodist Church and the conversations he shares with people he meets.
Fulks’ statement follows:
It’s my honor to introduce this year’s Spirit of Service Award recipient, Dave Rowan, a lifelong resident of Buckhannon. Dave is truly a staple to our community. He is a dedicated volunteer public servant and a familiar face to so many. Anyone who walks through the doors at the Parish House is greeted by Dave’s smile at the front desk. This year marks an incredible milestone for him: 20 years of service as a volunteer at the Parish House.
Dave’s commitment to serving others extends even further through his work with the Volunteers In Police Service, or VIPS. Since joining the program at its founding in 2014, Dave has generously given his time to support the Buckhannon Police Department through non-enforcement efforts like traffic control, ride-alongs and assisting with parades and festivals.
In 2024, he was recognized with the founder’s medal, honoring a decade of dedication to the program. When he’s not volunteering, you can find Dave out in the community, often walking around town, enjoying a stop at Dairy Queen or attending services at First United Methodist Church.
More than anything, Dave enjoys connecting with people, taking time to sit down and talk with everyone he meets. Dave exemplifies the true spirit of service through his unwavering dedication, his kindness and his genuine love for the community. Please join me in congratulating Dave, this year’s Spirit of Service Award recipient.
