Oldest active Rockland EMS volunteer retires         

(Original publication: December 29, 2006)

By CHRISTINA JENG
THE JOURNAL NEWS


CONGERS - David Anderson could've spent his retirement the way most others would.
Fly fishing, golfing, or maybe making his way across Europe, checking off a list of must-see landmarks. But he didn't.  Instead, the 80-year-old spent the last 15 years as a member of the Congers-Valley Cottage Volunteer Ambulance Corps.  He retires a second time Sunday as the oldest active EMS volunteer in the county. "He could've put up a sign that said 'Gone fishing,' " said First Lt. Linda Lenz, "but he decided to serve his community."  Anderson joined the corps when he was 65. Before that he spent 15 years as an English teacher at Clarkstown North High School, 15 years as an assistant principal there and a few years as a self-employed carpenter.  He was on his last shift with the corps yesterday.            

                   
     "I'm so glad that I joined and I'm so sorry that I'm leaving," he said, "but time goes on and sometimes you have to know when to quit."  Since joining the corps, Anderson has assisted in almost 3,000 calls as an EMT or, in recent years, as a driver. He was awaiting calls at the corps headquarters on Kings Highway yesterday, watching "Judge Joe Brown" with a few other volunteers and making small talk.
 

      Robert Nesi, 42, of Congers joined the corps five years ago. He said he was surprised when he saw that his former assistant principle was an active member. "Most people, when they retire, they move away or do other stuff," he said. "I didn't know he was active in the ambulance."
But retiring a second time won't keep Anderson from helping out where he can, he said. "I can help replenish the supplies in the ambulance, take care of the building, give advice to anyone who wants it, or just hang around - I'm going to miss it," he said.

     Asked what advice he would give younger members, he said, "Don't get caught up in the thrill - big fires or automobile accidents - because its not a thrill after you've been in it a long time," he said. "The thrill is just the fact that you've helped somebody." Anderson added there was a need for more volunteers and encouraged other retirees to join. Retired people can work day shifts when younger volunteers are usually in school or working. "If a person can play 18 holes of golf, he can certainly be in the ambulance corps," he said. James Nash, president of the corps, agreed and said Anderson's attitude was the reason he would be missed. "Dave always was willing to step up if someone was needed," he said.