The 2007 Citizen of the Quarter for July/September 2007 is an individual whose second career has been public service to the community. We are pleased to present this award to Walt Swenson of Rapid City.

Walt first came to Rapid City in 1979 from Huron, South Dakota. He worked as a District Manager for a construction company and retired in 1986. His decision to remain in Rapid City was a true blessing for our community when his second career turned to public service.

Walt signed on as a volunteer driver for United Blood Services and as a result, has safely transported tens of thousands of units of blood, plasma, and platelets throughout a region from Gillette, Wyoming to Mitchell, South Dakota, to Valentine, Nebraska to the North Dakota border. Over this nineteen year period, Walt has driven over 5,200 trips, spending almost 19,000 hours on the road, covering over 691,000 miles. His service has resulted in the safe movement of blood and blood components between regional blood drives, and the United Blood Services Center in Rapid City.

While performing in this lifesaving role, Walt has found other ways to help the community. At his own expense, he has been active in assembling fishing tackle boxes which he donates to the Rapid City Club for Boys. Dave Oyler of the Club credits Walt with providing over 50 boys with the materials needed to foster their interest in the youth fishing program. UBS Executive Director Raul Daniel states that “from encouraging youth to find wholesome enjoyment in the sport of fishing to his unflagging dedication to the United Blood Service’s mission, Walt is the kind of good citizen all communities need.”

Walt is a past member of the Lions Club, the National Guard and the Telephone Pioneers of America. He and his wife Gloria, have three children and seven grandchildren.