For Immediate Release

Date: October 13, 2005

Marine Board Honors Education Volunteers

The Oregon State Marine Board recognized volunteers recently at its third-annual volunteer recognition banquet. Volunteer instructors provide low cost, high quality boating safety courses that meet the mandatory education requirement.

The Marine Board recognized four individuals who stood out over the 2005 boating season. Two outstanding volunteers received the Volunteer of the Year award, Gary Geerhart, of Monmouth, and David Sauer, of Eugene. Geerhart and Sauer both taught a total of eight classes in 2004-2005. Their enthusiasm for boating safety comes through in each of their classes.

The Instructor of the Year award was presented to LeRoy Bentley, of Hillsboro, for outstanding instruction based on student evaluations and the volume of classes taught. This is the second consecutive year that Bentley has received this distinguished recognition. Bentley is a gifted instructor what has an amazing talent for teaching complex material in a short amount of time. He goes the extra mile to clarify regulations and laws so students have a clear understanding of what is required when boating. He engages participation from students and is thorough when answering questions. If Bentley doesn’t know the answer to a question, he takes the time to find out the answer and to relay that information to the student, which is sometimes after the class, is over.

The Marine Board also presents a special award named after a former Board Member, Randall S. Cummings. This award is presented to a Boat Oregon volunteer instructor for their significant dedication to safety, education and community involvement. The Randall S. Cummings award was presented this year to Paul Cody, of La Pine, for his enormous contributions assisting the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office Marine Patrol, by providing equivalency exams and conducting boat inspections. Cody also volunteered to work at local area boat shows.

The Marine Board presented a special volunteer appreciation award to Larry Lewis, of Salem. Lewis was recognized for being an integral part of the Marine Board for over 28 years. Lewis has volunteered his time to help with law enforcement trainings, mandatory education and other special projects.

The Marine Board also recognized all of the volunteer instructors during the banquet for their dedication and time committed to offering quality, low cost boating safety courses to Oregon boaters.

The Marine Board is grateful to such high caliber individuals who dedicate their talents, time, and passion to spreading the boating safety message.

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