Schell is Camp Sherman volunteer of the year

Les Schell was selected as Camp Sherman Community Association (CSCA) Volunteer of the Year at last Saturday’s annual association meeting.

“His list of service to our community is very large,” said CSCA President Bruce Shuall.

This list includes work with the Sisters-Camp Sherman volunteer fire department, work at Camp Sherman’s transfer station, as a member of the Hasty Team search and rescue group, work on refurbishing the picnic shelter at Pioneer Ford campground, service as a former board member with CSCA, and taking on the responsibility of captain with the volunteer fire department.

“That job, as fire department captain, is a huge effort and takes a ton of time,” said Shuall. “He’s always been there when needed and provides a leadership role for Camp Sherman. Les is on every call.”

Schell has lived in Camp Sherman for eight years. Before retiring, he was a computer systems analyst at Tektronix in Beaverton for 29 years.

“I sure didn’t think I’d end up as a fireman,” said Schell. “It’s a good feeling, giving back to a good community to give to.”

His hobbies are fly-fishing and working on his 1956 Ford half-ton pickup.

“Hopefully, you’ll see me driving around Camp Sherman in this vehicle soon,” he said.

Schell was chairman of the Metolius Meadows water commission and helped in preparing its final report.

“My background with computers can sometimes be put to good use, such as preparing spreadsheets for these reports,” he said.

Schell described his work with the fire department and being called in the middle of the night.

“When the pager goes off, I’m reaching for my clothes, heading out the door, and finding out the incident location.”

In fact, he missed Saturday’s holiday breakfast at Camp Sherman’s Community Hall because he was responding to a bike accident below Suttle Lake on Highway 20.

This summer, Jeff May will work out of the Camp Sherman fire station as firefighter and paramedic.

“Jeff is a very valuable addition to our department,” said Schell. “We presently have six members in the Camp Sherman volunteer fire department. We have drills every Monday night, sometimes here, and sometimes jointly in Sisters. We always need more volunteers — it’s a good thing to do.”