2009 Clay County - Bob & Colleen Speed

Bob and Colleen Speed have been valued volunteers for the Clay County 4-H program many years.  Colleen began her years of service as a club leader for the Garland Cloverettes 4-H club in 1971. Bob was an elected volunteer on the Clay County Extension Council in 1974.  From that point forward this couple has provided continuous support to Clay County Extension and the 4-H program.  

Throughout their years of 4-H volunteerism the roles Colleen and Bob undertook were multiple and varied. From giving encouragement to club members, making needed repairs, offering advice or clerking in the swine barn this couple offered a myriad of services.  However, their 4-H passion was with the 4-H Dog Department.  In 1972 Colleen and Bob were instrumental in the development of dog obedience training classes as well as dog shows at the Clay County Fair.  In 1985 Colleen took on the leadership role of Dog Department superintendant.  This was a role Colleen held dear to her heart and although battling illness Colleen was able to attend the Clay County Fair Dog Show in September 2008.  In October she passed away leaving many to morn her loss.  Bob continues to serve on the Dog Committee along with his two daughters, Mary Kacmarynski and Marcia Sikora.
  
Colleen and Bob have four grown children they raised on a family farm in the Webb area.  Colleen’s early career as a nurse’s aid and then later in life in Home Health developed into a lifetime of caring for others professionally and personally.  Her volunteerism stretched beyond 4-H as she was an active member of her church and community including serving as a 1st responder for the Webb Fire Department.  Bob as well has given much to his church and community over the years.  As a self employed farmer, electrician, plumber and backhoe operator, Bob is a man of many talents. Those talents have often been freely given in service to his community or neighbor in need.   

Bob and Colleen are respected throughout the 4-H community for their passion and years of dedication to positive youth development. It was for that dedication Colleen was awarded the County 4-H Meritorious Service Adult Recognition in 1985.  Bob and Colleen’s commitment and years of volunteer service are also the reasons they have been selected as Clay County nominees and inductees into the 2009 Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame.