Honoring Volunteer Dave Rutford

The Y community is remembering a special volunteer, Dave Rutford, whose dedication and generous spirit left a lasting mark on all of us—especially at YMCA Camp Miller. 

Dave began volunteering at camp around 2019 and took pride in making it a better place for every child and family who participated.

Dave's impact could be seen everywhere around camp. From the bike shop lights to the pizza oven, building doors, repairing stairways and picnic tables, to hanging shower hooks. If something needed fixing, building, or improving, Dave was there.

"Dave was a dedicated weekly volunteer, and he became my friend," said Facilities Director Tony Koecher. "It's going to be a tough loss not having him here. I always looked forward to seeing him. He may not have always worked directly with the kids, but everything he did helped create a wonderful place for kids to come and have a great experience."

Dave Rutford, who passed away on March 18, 2026, lived a life full of adventure, service, and deep love for his family and community. At the Lake Superior YMCA, we were fortunate to experience that generosity firsthand. Dave's legacy will live on in the spaces he helped build, and the camp experiences he helped make possible. 

We are deeply grateful.