Fort Dodge lost someone special when Tim Flaherty died last year. During his entirely too short time in the community he made an impact that was recognized far beyond the city and Webster County.

That’s why the Iowa Parks and Recreation Association recently honored him with its 2022 Business Support Award. It was presented Monday to his widow, Jodi, daughters Shannon and Katie, and parents Mick and Alyce.

The award specifically recognizes the things Flaherty did in his role as Hy-Vee store director, and later as district store director, to support the programs of the Fort Dodge Parks, Recreation and Forestry Department. Not surprisingly, those efforts revolved around food. Under his leadership, his store took over the grilled food station at Harlan and Hazel Rogers Sports Complex and began serving up hamburgers, hot dogs, brats and steak sandwiches during the annual girls state softball tournament. He also put together a highly competitive package in which Hy-Vee began providing the food for congregate meals. Other parks and recreation functions were well-supplied with food as a result of Flaherty’s work.

But Flaherty was much more than the guy who provided all the good food, as anyone who knew him can attest.

“Tim just exuded the idea of community,” Mayor Matt Bemrich told The Messenger after Flaherty’s death in September 2021. “Whether it was at work or through the schools, through the church, he was always one to volunteer his time and talents and look to give back and not take first. He wanted to give back to the community. He was always looking at what he could do next to be helpful or make something better. He lived his life that way no matter what he was doing.”

He surely deserved the award from the Iowa Parks and Recreation Association. By the way he lived his life, Tim Flaherty set an example of service and humility that the rest of us would do well to follow.