Bob Welsh Receives AARP Andrus Award for Community Service

AARP in Your State: Iowa

Source: AARP.org | December 22, 2004

Robert "Bob" Welsh of Iowa City, a Johnson County AARP chapter member and long-time advocate for the aging, is the 2004 recipient of the AARP Iowa Andrus Award for Community Service. Statewide, Welsh is the third recipient of the annual award, which is the Association's most prestigious and visible.

A Lifetime of Giving and Assisting

A statewide AARP volunteer review committee selected Welsh from among 13 nominees in recognition of his lifetime of giving and assisting those in need. In accepting his award, Welsh said he intends to continue generously sharing his time with others.

"I would like to assure you that with the acceptance of this award, I do not plan to retire from serving," said Welsh, who was pastor at First Christian Church in Iowa City for 27 years before retiring.

Getting things accomplished and making a difference fuel his passion for volunteering. "All my life I have been volunteering, starting when I was a youth in church," Welsh said. "I have continued to follow the religious tradition that teaches the importance of serving others. After retiring I wanted to continue to make a difference."

Dedication to Long-Term Care Issues

Much of Welsh's recent volunteer work has dealt with long-term care. One of his greatest contributions came recently, in 2003, when the state of Iowa proposed new rules for assisted living programs. Welsh worked as an advocate for seniors to help enact regulations more favorable for assisted living residents. As a result of his efforts and those of the committee he led, two major changes were made in the rules for assisted living in Iowa. All facilities are now required to make the occupancy agreement with potential residents available in advance, and all facilities must conduct an evaluation of a potential resident's service needs, prior to their moving into the facility.

AARP is not the first organization to recognize Bob Welsh for his outstanding service. In June 2004, the Heritage Area Agency on Aging presented him with their first Heritage Visionary Award for his dedication to advocacy.

Congratulations, Bob, and thank you for your continued service on behalf of older Iowans and those with disabilities.

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