Bob Welsh

By: Shelby

Bob Welsh: A father, husband, coach and recycler. Many people know of his job at the recycling center but it’s not as common to know about his participation in Keep Keith County Beautiful (KKCB).

Bob Welsh moved to Ogallala ten years ago. When he came, he was looking for a job, as any other new person in town would be. He found an open one, a management job, at U.S. Recycling. Being a part of the recycling world more opportunities were handed to him. “I was approach by Marian Kroker who is the director of Chamber of Commerce. They wanted to bring this (KKCB) back to our community.” Welsh said.

KKCB is an affiliate of Keep Nebraska Beautiful and Keep America Beautiful. They do beautification projects (gone in and have done landscaping; they’ve planted trees, flower pots, etc.), and recycling projects like running the recycling center, brought education into the elementary schools, give tours with the classes that come down there, and organize recycling competitions. There’s been local clean-ups, and they organize different events such as Household Hazardous Waste Recycling, and Electronic Waste Recycling.

When Welsh was asked what kind of effect he thought he had on the community he said “I believe it’s a positive impact.” The KKCB has done a lot of things that people take for granted and don’t notice, like the small things that brighten people’s day. He said this participation makes him feel good inside. He is very thankful to give back to a community that has done so much for him and his children. There are many ways that people of all ages can help out. Welsh mentions that young people can especially help out by representing their school. They can pick up the parking lot and the grounds around it.  “It would be a great way for them to get involved.”

This path is a fulfilling one, but it isn’t easy. Even Welsh has wanted to give in sometimes. “I have because I was just so busy with my job I didn’t think I could give a 100 percent to the programs.” Some of the reason he would give up was reasons like sports, church, and raising three daughters. Welsh said in the end it was worth it. They ended up getting many programs to really blossom like Household Hazardous Waste, Electronic Waste Recycling, Tire Amnesty, and educating children in schools on the importance of recycling.

The recycling contribution isn’t the only thing that Welsh have done. He helped out with high school track. As far as club volleyball, he wanted to be part of his kids' life and their friends and to make a positive impact.

Welsh honestly loves his job and what he does. It is a big part in his life and always will be. “It’s only by the grace of God that I went down this path,” Welsh says. But is it really his passion? Not quite. “No, my passion is water skiing, but I love my job and I love what I do.”

So make sure you follow what you think is right and what you know is right, like helping out your community. And who knows how you’ll get there? It’s an unknown path, but it’s a worthy path that everyone should take.