[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 112 (Friday, August 3, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1553]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               PAYING TRIBUTE TO EARNEST ``DOC'' WALCHER

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. SCOTT McINNIS

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, August 2, 2001

  Mr. McINNIS. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to 
pay tribute to Earnest ``Doc'' Walcher of Gypsum, Colorado. After 25 
years of retirement, Doc is now lending his hand to the town of Gypsum. 
He and town manager Jeff Shroll, it turns out, make a great team as 
well as good neighbors.
  Doc Walcher was born in 1921 in Oklahoma, and he moved with his 
family to Gypsum during the Depression. He enlisted in the Army during 
World War II as an aircraft mechanic, serving at Guadalcanal and in the 
Philippines. After the war, he returned to Gypsum, where he has resided 
ever since.
  Doc served the people of Colorado diligently before his retirement, 
working as head supervisor of the Colorado State Highway Department. He 
helped build and maintain Highway 24, Tennessee Pass, and Interstate 70 
over Vail Pass before retiring in 1976.
  Jeff Shroll, Gypsum's Town Manager, ``noticed that Walcher, who lives 
directly across the street. . .had the most manicured and best-kept 
lawn in town.'' Jeff asked Doc if he might be interested in helping to 
keep up the lawns in Turgeonville, a property owned by Gypsum. Walcher 
eagerly accepted, and now that he is working again, he is ``loving 
every minute of it,'' according to Julie Imada-Howard of the Vail 
Daily. The feeling seems mutual; Jeff says that it has been ``great to 
work with'' Doc.
  Mr. Speaker, I would like to honor Doc Walcher for his continued 
service and willingness to help the community. He is truly an 
inspiration to us all.

                          ____________________