The man of the hour Wednesday night at the second Rotarian William “Bill” Findley Jr. Scholarship Memorial Dinner was the executive director of the Boys and Girls Club of Alice.
Rick Del Bosque was honored at the William “Bill” Findley Jr. Scholarship Memorial Dinner. Pictured are (LtoR) Findley’s son Steven Findley, Belinda Del Bosque, Rick’s wife, and Eddie Findley, Steven’s wife. Son – Andres Del Bosque Wife – Belinda Del Bosque. Photo by Melissa Cantu Trevino
David Towler (left) presents Rick Del Bosque (right) with the lyrics to Towler’s song dedicated to Del Bosque. Photo by Melissa Cantu TrevinoRick Del Bosque is a native of Alice and a product of his club. When he was a child he attended the BGCA. After he aged out, Del Bosque became a volunteer and eventually the executive director. He has been the executive director for 34 years with no signs of retirement.
“We all got to thank (Del Bosque) for showing us how to be a person who gives more back to this world than he takes out of it. There are leaders and there are servants, but there are precious few who are both. We, now, sit in the presence of the finest example I have ever known of a man who is both,” said David Towler, Del Bosque’s close friend and BGCA board member.
Rick Del Bosque (middle) with his wife, Belinda, on his left and his son, Andres, on his right. Photo by Melissa Cantu TrevinoTowler dedicated a personalized song to Del Bosque. The song, “Punching above his weight” written and sung by Towler at the memorial dinner gave insight to a man of greatness despite his stature.
Del Bosque inspires and impacts many people in the community, but the youth of BGCA and Alice are near and dear to his heart.
Alice Rotary President Pete Crisp (left) presented Rick Del Bosque (right) with the Honoree Plaque. Photo by Melissa Cantu Trevino“This impact (has) not only been made nine to five when the kids are there. It’s countless hours spent off the clock. It’s a known fact that when it comes to the children a friendly greeting and a little conversation can be rewarded with a little treat from the stash of candy (Del Bosque) carries around with him,” said Pete Crisp, Alice Rotary President. “He’s constantly working on building relationships with these children that come through the doors…You don’t have to be a boys and girls kid in order to get the attention that (he) gives out. He knows every kid’s name. He knows there back story. He knows why they’re there and he knows if they need help. He’s always been there to help them out.”
Del Bosque had a relationship with Findley, the reason for the memorial dinner. Findley was a lifetime Rotarian who wanted the best for his community though different organizations. Findley was the owner of FESCO and passed away at the age of 96 on Aug. 27, 2018.
Rick Del Bosque (left) was presented with a Paul Harris Award on behalf of Alice Rotary’s Past Club Presidents. Past-president Dee Dee Arismendez (right) pinned Del Bosque with the Paul Harris pin. Photo by Melissa Cantu TrevinoAlice Rotarians wanted to honor Findley after his passing. They decided that they would have a memorial dinner in his honor, annually, to raise money for scholarships. The scholarship money would go to an area student who was in college majoring in engineering.
“Bill Findley opened many doors for the (BGCA), but it was (Del Bosque’s) job to walk through those doors to close the sale,” Crisp said. “(Del Bosque’s) commitment to our community, the City of Alice and surrounding areas, is something to aspire to. Through the years of dedication there’s no question that he made a difference in the lives of so, so many not just our youth, not just those that are grown, but the families of those and beyond and beyond.”
Del Bosque had the honor of calling Findley his friend and mentor. He admired Findley in many ways.
“Growing up I’ve had my heroes and I have had my mentors. Heroes are individuals who are admired for their outstanding achievements. Mentors are individuals who are experienced and trusted advisors,” Del Bosque said. “Findley was a friendly man. In conversation he’d always ask me how the club kids were doing. He was the type of man that always made it a point greet you first…He made you feel welcome. As the busy man, that he was, he took time to visit with you. He cared about his community and the kids, as I do. He was a man with quality traits that I mimicked working with children for the past 35 years. There have been two sayings that I go by. One is that celebrities’ come and go, but heroes will never die. The second is don’t discouraged, but encourage.”
Del Bosque explained that the excitement one gets when playing the lottery and seeing their numbers is the same feeling he gets working with children everyday. He credits his life’s ambition to the children of BGCA, his heroes, and his mentors who guided him into a life of servanthood.
“As a young child I learned to serve. It was a calling to serve and I’ve enjoyed that,” Del Bosque said.
Latest Stories
Coyote Cross Country win annual Border OlympicsAugust 31, 2022
TAMU-CC partners with Coastal Bend Blood Center to launch Collegiate Hero Program August 31, 2022
David Berry Hale August 31, 2022
Consuelo G. Benavides August 31, 2022
Astros ace Verlander placed on IL with calf injury August 31, 2022
Unvaccinated NBA players, staff must test weekly for COVID August 31, 2022
LeBron James inks 2-year, $97.1 million deal with LakersAugust 31, 2022
Friday Night Football Scores – Aug. 26 August 31, 2022
Orange Grove XC team place in Beeville Meet August 31, 2022
Constitutional Minute #17August 31, 2022
