Post receives award for lifetime of service
Published on Thu, Nov 20, 2008Read More Communities
11/20/08
Post receives award for lifetime of service
The Stillaguamish Senior Center honored an Arlington legend when it recently named Richard L. "Dick" Post as the recipient of its annual Lifetime Achievement Award.
Previous winners of the prestigious award have been Howard Christiansen, Don Meier, and Harry and Ruth Yost. This year's event was held November 12 in the center's newly renovated main hall.
Post began his teaching career in 1950 at Wapato Junior High School in Yakima County. While serving as a principal in Port Orchard, he earned a master's degree and his superintendent's credentials from UW in 1970.
At that same time, the Arlington School District was in deep trouble. The consistent failure of school funding levies and district conflict led to the resignation of the entire School Board. After new members were appointed, the board began a search for a new superintendent and Dick Post turned out to be the right man for the job.
After working hard to gain citizens' trust, Post was rewarded with their approval of funding to build a new middle school and make major renovations to the high school in Arlington.
In 1978 Post was named Washington State Superintendent of the Year, and the newly-completed middle school was named in his honor.
Although he was a transplant to Arlington, Post has immersed himself in community life with leadership in the Chamber of Commerce, the Rotary Club, the Arlington Education Foundation, Friends of the Library, the Byrnes Performing Arts Center Commission and the Stillaguamish Senior Center. He also served on the Snohomish County Charter Review Commission.
Jo Olson, executive director of the Stillaguamish Senior Center, said, "Dick's wisdom and expertise have been very valued and appreciated over the years. Dick is just one of those folks that you know you can count on to lend a hand where ever it is needed."
