Walters Retires From Groundwork Hudson Valley

From Groundwork Hudson Valley: Please join me in congratulating Bob Walters on his retirement from Groundwork Hudson Valley! For nearly twenty years, Bob has been instrumental in leading our organization's many successes, and his legacy will continue for many more.

Bob chaired the original steering committee which founded Groundwork Hudson Valley (then Groundwork Yonkers), was a driving force behind Groundwork's very first project to daylight the Saw Mill River, and served as captain and community ambassador in his role as Director of the Science Barge.

A lifelong environmentalist, Bob is also a founding member of the City of Yonkers Green Advisory Committee. Anyone that knows Bob knows his passion for the Hudson River is contagious - prior to his leadership at Groundwork, Bob helped build the Hudson River Sloop - "The Sojourner Truth"; served as the Beczak Environmental Education Center's first Executive Director; and worked as a tour guide on the Yonkers Water Taxi among many other endeavors. It was at the Beczak that Bob chaired the Steering Committee that created Groundwork Hudson Valley. Bob's commitment to making our community a greener, healthier place to live has not only been recognized by Groundwork Hudson Valley. He also received the Champion of our Waterways award from Riverkeeper, and the Patron Saint of Yonkers award from the Friends of Philipse Manor Hall.

Bob's many accomplishments have been featured in countless local and regional press outlets including Westchester Magazine (http://www.westchestermagazine.com/Westchester-Magazine/June-2013/Meet-Your-Westchester-Neighbor-Bob-Walters-Director-of-the-Science-Barge-in-Yonkers/), and Boating on the Hudson (https://www.boatingonthehudson.com/flippingbook/2018/apr/Articles/4YonkersYesterdayTodayTomorrow.pdf), and News 12 (http://www.news12.com/story/38649948/foreign-species-poses-threat-to-native-crab-in-hudson-river).

Without Bob, there would certainly be no Science Barge, and there would definitely be no Groundwork Hudson Valley. Our organization owes a great debt to Bob for his entrepreneurship, tenacity, and dedication. While Bob will be sorely missed at Groundwork, we are thrilled that he has agreed to serve on our Advisory Council, and will continue to advise us on all things river and barge related. Bob's official last day is today, and we are planning a proper celebration for his many achievements in the coming weeks. If you'd like to reach Bob directly, his personal email is bobwalters767@gmail.com.

Bob, on behalf of all of us, congratulations on this next chapter of your life! We look forward to celebrating you and thanking you for your tireless efforts to protect our environment, empower our community, and make our neighborhoods better places to live, work, and play.

Image via Bob Walters/ Groundwork Hudson Valley