“Dick Stafford, 81, a beloved community leader in Woodbury who also served for years as auditor/treasurer of Washington County and later as a county commissioner, died early Thursday during heart surgery at St. Joseph's Hospital in St. Paul.” Mpls StarTribune, Feb 25, 2011.
Dick Stafford was a charter member of the club, going back to January 17, 1969, as well as our 3rd club president.
One of the first projects for the Woodbury Lions lead by Dick and other charter members was the establishment of the Woodbury Ambulance Council. The Lions were responsible for funding the capital equipment and operating costs for the Emergency Ambulance Service in Woodbury for 25 years. Thanks to Dick’s concern for our community and his leadership, the Woodbury Lions, in 1995, presented to the city of Woodbury a gift of 4 ambulances, all the necessary emergency equipment including radios, the operation license from the State of Minn., and $65,000 cash. According to Dick Krumm, Dick Stafford was the chair of the ambulance council "forever".
In addition to being a past president of the Woodbury Lions, Dick served on our board for many years. Dick always had new ideas over the life of the club.
Very recently, many of us on the board lamented about our struggling membership growth. Dick stepped in to organize and re-energize a new member drive, including organizing a formal new member event in the fall each of the past three years. This effort has had the greatest single impact on new membership in the club in recent time.
Dick was the "perpetual MC" at the clubs long running Cadillac Dinner fund raising event, because of his humor and command of the audience.
Dick helped found then chaired the Woodbury Lions Veterans Memorial Council to this day.
Dick Stafford was spirit of the Woodbury Lions. He will be missed by his family and friends, the community, and his fellow Lions.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to Jeanie, his friends, and family.
