Sometimes even before the call.

“It was like there was more than one of him,” laughed former Fort Dodge Senior High athletic and activities director Tom Kinseth. “He’d be there for the setup, the work and the tear down. We used to say, ‘Steve, we can get some of this.’ He’d just respond, ‘I’m good.’ That was his nature. Consistently there for others and to make our community a better place.

“I miss him dearly. We all do.”

The Fort Dodge Community School District officially recognized Springer on Friday evening by dedicating the new concessions area at Dodger Stadium in his honor. Springer died at the age of 59 in June of 2020 following a short battle with esophageal cancer.

-Submitted graphic
The plaque, designed by Dodge Graphix of Fort Dodge, will honor the late Steve Springer at the Dodger Stadium concessions area.

Many of Springer’s family and friends — including his wife, Juli, and sons, Shea and Sawyer — were in attendance for the ceremony.

“I think this is just incredible,” Shea said. “I appreciate it most in regards to my mom. She sacrificed just as much.

“If he were still around, he may call (the ceremony) ‘a bit goofy,’ to use his words. Only because he never did anything for any kind of title or accolades. He lived his life strictly in concern for others. Rarely did he use the word ‘no,’ and I believe that showed in how many things he was involved in.”

In August of 2021, the annual Prairie Rivers Trail Ride raised more than $13,000 in Springer’s memory. Over 150 bicyclists participated. The money was donated to the FDCSD, which then promised to use it for concession-stand improvements as part of the Dodger Stadium renovation project.

Springer, a former FDCSD school board member and long-time Fort Dodge Senior High Booster Club participant, was “the person to see” for all things concessions related, according to Kinseth.

-Messenger photo by Britt Kudla
The Fort Dodge Community School District officially recognized Steve Springer on Friday evening by dedicating the new concessions area at Dodger Stadium in his honor. Springer died at the age of 59 in June of 2020 following a short battle with esophageal cancer. Many of Springer’s family and friends — including his wife, Juli, and sons, Shea and Sawyer — were in attendance for the ceremony.

“He did it all and knew it all,” Kinseth said. “And if he didn’t, he’d work hard to make it happen. You always appreciate people like that in the moment, of course, but even more when they’re gone.

“(Dedicating the concessions area) in his memory is absolutely the right thing to do.”

Josh Porter, the current FDCSD superintendent, moved back to Fort Dodge to become the FDSH athletic and activities director the year after Springer passed away.

“I immediately heard so many stories about him — not just as a tireless worker and active community member, but as a caring friend to so many,” Porter said. “It’s an honor to do this for him as a way to cement his legacy here, so to speak. He was the gold standard for volunteerism.

“We are very thankful that the Prairie Rivers Trail Ride group and the Springer family entrusted us to use the money raised through the fundraiser and make so much of the new concessions area come to life literally because of this donation.”

The memorial sign placed at the concessions area, created by Dodge Graphix of Fort Dodge, reads, “A dedicated Dodger and loyal volunteer, Steve gave his time and heart to the community he loved. His spirit, kindness and commitment will forever be remembered by the Dodger family.”

Long-time FDCSD board president Stu Cochrane worked with Springer for years in a variety of roles.

“What I remember most about Steve was just his pure selflessness,” Cochrane said. “He’d give you the shirt off his back. He wasn’t just a passionate board member and volunteer in our community, but just an extremely pleasant guy with an infectious, loyal personality and attitude.

“Steve loved life. He was a joy to be around. He made everyone feel comfortable and important. He treated everyone like family.”

Kinseth added, “there are just so many quirky, funny stories I still think about all the time.”

“His dedication — from the booster clubs and Dodger athletics to concessions, state cross country, the press box, Shellabration and everything in between — was just unmatched,” Kinseth said. “You could talk to hundreds of people and they’d have thousands of memories. Thankfully, Juli, Shea and Sawyer are carrying on his legacy in their own ways now to help make Fort Dodge a better place.”

Shea Springer noted he has gained more appreciation for his father’s body of work with time and distance.

“As I get older, I have more and more respect for how he did it all,” Shea said. “Working his full-time job, his businesses, numerous volunteer positions and organizations…all to come home and juggle life, family, kids, sports and activities, and everything else. It’s honestly a bit crazy to think about. So I find it especially rewarding that it gets remembered the way that it does (today).

“I think another really neat thing is the silver linings. He dedicated numerous hours of time, labor and ideas to the school district, specifically the concession stands. And if it wasn’t for those experiences, he never would have started The Snack Shack, which serves Fort Dodge to this day.”

Shea hinted there are preliminary plans to incorporate The Snack Shack into the concessions menu at Dodger Stadium for what would be a “full-circle moment.”

Shea added, “at the end of the day, my dad simply loved Fort Dodge.”

“He graduated a Gael (from St. Edmond in 1979), but he was also a true Dodger,” Shea said. “He never had any intentions of leaving (Fort Dodge). Neither do I. Neither does my mom. Neither does Sawyer. We love this community.

“When you are a part of something, you have an obligation to do what you can to make it better. He taught that. He did that. We want to give a huge thanks to the Prairie Rivers Trail Ride for recognizing him, and to The Fort Dodge Community School District as well. He now has a way to still (have an impact at Dodger Stadium), even though he’s no longer here. That’s pretty special.”