“Hey, where’s Dave?” “Anybody seen Dave?” He was missed almost immediately, of course, but not before he somehow missed the 40 minute bus ride to lovely San Alejo, a small village hosting our 2024 vision health clinic in El Salvador. He must have laughed out loud….
With that in mind, it is important to recognize the fact that, though he probably never actually drove the bus, our favorite early-morning-till-late-evening whistler has been riding the I Care bus for most of the last 4 decades!
From the shuttle ride back to the airport after another first class “medical mission”, when he will say something like “Hey, where do you think we can go next year?”, to the joyful fitting of an old pair of glasses on the last of maybe 2000 patients that we can serve in 4 hard days, there is Dave. Whether sweeping out and setting up some unsuspecting clinic site or planning and problem solving with his team of board members, or working with first time volunteers helping to prepare 15 large canvas bags of glasses, Dave is right there too!
An indispensable board member for at least a dozen years, Dave first experienced the humbling and life-affirming nature of an Ortiz family “lentes” clinic and roadshow way back in 1990. He can tell you, if you get him talking, that he has enjoyed all the road bumps and belly laughs that come with having raised his hand, with a genuine sense of adventure, and offered his muscle, and his wisdom and kindness, on more than 30 such labors of love. He is always on the bus, and seated way up front.
Let’s be real just now, okay? There are probably only 2 people, Dr. Phil Ortiz and Gay
Ortiz, who have given more to I Care during its lifetime. Probably right next to Jesse Gutierrez and Dr. Steve Storey.
So anyway, as I was trying to say, by the time we were stepping off that morning bus outside of San Miguel, up pulls one of those beautiful little tuk tuks right in front of the village civic center. Ah yes, when the driver shuts off the bleating engine, out steps a smiling Dave McClure, just softly whistling another happy tune….
Hats off, please, to Dave, and Colleen, of course, as well, for many many days of diverse and priceless contributions. He’s off the board for now, sure, but have no concerns, he is already working as one of the team leaders on his next I Care Jornada.
So, dear readers, try not to be the one to miss that magic bus.
Cheers to you, Dave, a good friend to all!
|