HUMBOLDT — Nestor Trach doesn’t see himself as Citizen of the Year, yet that is what the 82 year old will be following this year’s Mark of Excellence Awards.
Trach has been a member of the Humboldt community for over 60 years, first moving to Humboldt in 1960 to be one of the first teachers at St. Dominic School. He later became the school’s fourth principal and then joined education boards after his retirement.
Volunteering in the many capacities that he has done has always been a major part of his life, but Trach cannot exactly say why. All he knows is that he loves working with people and always works for causes that he believes in doing work he enjoys, whether as a volunteer or a board member. Even just being a helping hand across the community is something that Trach loves to do, including giving rides to Saskatoon to those in need.
The need for volunteers is still there across Humboldt, Trach said, so he and his wife, Liz, will continue to contribute their time and energy in any way that they can and encourage others to do the same.
“If you can see the needs in the community and have an interest in it, then you go out there and you fill that need.”
Humboldt is home, he said, and leaving home has never entered his mind. Humboldt was a good place to teach for 34 years and bring up his four children.
Trach was nominated by Robert Kienlen and Marjorie Gehlen. Both know Trach in many respects, including as an elementary school principal, a Knights of Columbus member, and as a wide reaching volunteer within the community.
No matter the capacity, Trach always works tirelessly no matter the position nor what needs to be done, Kienlen said. Even following two major surgeries since September 2019, he said it looks like Trach barely slowed down.
“As soon as he got home, he was back at the hospital working with palliative care patients. He just never stops working.”
Trach said he has slowed down a little but still volunteers with his parish as a layperson and delivering communion to those who cannot make it to mass, with the Humboldt Knights of Columbus wherever there is a need, and at the Humboldt and District Hospital Complex in the spiritual care department.
“If I get called upon and my health allows it, I’m very willing.”
Helping wherever he can in the community is just who he is, Kienlen said, and that inspires him to help wherever he can.
Gehlen worked as a teacher at St. Dominic School during Trach’s time as principal and has known Trach for over 55 years. His love for his students and community made Gehlen want to be the best teacher she could be, she said.
Trach will receive the award, which is organized by the Humboldt Journal, during the Humboldt and District Chamber of Commerce’s Mark of Excellence awards gala on Wednesday, March 18. Tickets can be bought at the chamber office.
