Current News > June 28th, 2005: Albert Dyks: A quarter century of service
Kemptville District Hospital
2675 Concession Road, Kemptville, ON K0G 1J0
Tel: (613) 258-6133; Fax: (613) 258-7853
June 28, 2005
Albert Dyks: A quarter century of service
"It's because of the patients that we're here," says one of Kemptville District Hospital's longest-serving volunteers.
Albert Dyks officially stepped down from the Kemptville District Hospital Board of Directors at the June 23 annual general meeting after serving the hospital for a total of 24 years.
"Everybody, once they get involved with the hospital, has a soft spot for the place," said Mr. Dyks. "It's been a great experience for me and I'll never forget it."
Mr. Dyks originally joined the board when the late Lyle Crozier passed away, leaving a vacancy for a representative for the former Township of Oxford-on-Rideau. He went on to serve 12 consecutive years followed by one year off, then another 12 years ending at the hospital's 2005 annual general meeting.
One of the highlights of Mr. Dyks' service was his term as board chairman from 1988 to 1990, during which the hospital's new administrative wing was constructed, the first expansion project since 1969. His priorities have always been to keep the hospital and its services in the community.
Originally from the Athens area, where he married his wife Ina in 1963, Mr. Dyks worked as a meat manager at B&H Foodliner for eight years prior to opening Albert's Meat Shop, which has been in business for 31 years. "That's what brought me to Kemptville," he noted. "You can thank (B&H Foodliner owner) Keith Beveridge for that."
Albert and Ina have three children: Patty; Lisa; and Derek; and eight grandchildren aged six to 14.
In addition to his service on the KDH board, Mr. Dyks' community involvement includes his work on the Lions Club eye care team, which has traveled to Guyana and Trinidad; and his service on the board of the First Christian Reformed Church.
Now 64, Mr. Dyks hopes to continue his association with KDH as a volunteer. "I think a lot of young people should get involved in volunteering," he added. "It's a great thing."