Hearing the passing of Bob Houghtaling last Friday has been a shock to all who knew him whether family, friend, colleague, or someone who Bob helped along a difficult journey. For me as a former employee of the town and a parent of three students who knew Bob, it has been a most sad time of reflection and memories.
With that said, I believe that the town should do something to honor Bob’s selfless service to the people of our town and our community. Therefore, I am proposing that the town rename the Swift Community Center to the Bob Houghtaling Community Center. The center was originally name “Swift” when Augustus Swift donated $10,000 many years ago to renovate the Academy Gymnasium and I believe he would approve of the name change.
I am not sure how the process goes to make this happen, whether it is a decision of the Town Council or a public vote? Either way, I am making this request for consideration of recognition and remembrance of our lost colleague, friend, and overall champion of people to rename the Swift Community Center to the Bob Houghtaling Community Center.
With regards,
Roberta
Roberta G. Dowding lives in East Greenwich.
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I love that proposal, Roberta. Very nice.
Thank you Roberta Dowling for your proposal to rename The Swift Community Center, The Bob Houghtaling Community Center.
I am relative “newcomer” to East Greenwich but I have witnessed Bob Houghtaling in action and seen the impact he has had on so many people of all ages, especially our youth. Bob was the very essence of what “Community” means.
Renaming the Swift Community Center, the Bob Houghtaling Community Center would not just be a reminder of what Bob stood for but also inspire each of us to continue his efforts and programs reminding each of us that we matter.
As a mom of three children all known by Bob by name and as a small business owner that crossed path with Bob at Oceans of Grace many times, I fully support this way of tributing and honoring Bob for all of his work in the community and the mark that he left on all of us who knew him. He was a rare find and impossible to replace.
Outstanding idea, Roberta! Perhaps Leigh would know the process then start with the Town Council. If you need any help, sign me up. Perfect way to honor someone who always brought the community together.
Absolutely agree!
Great idea Roberta about renaming Swift Gym!
Bob was all about building a beloved community so naming the center for him is a great idea!
The proposal is very nice but maybe the counseling center at EGHS can be named in his honor instead. It is already named the Swift center for good reason. We shouldn’t be changing buildings that are already named.
Perhaps the gym which Mr Swift donated $ for could continue to be named for him and the building renamed for Bob
This is such a wonderful idea.
For those who have expressed concern about the “erasure” or “changing” of the building’s history — perhaps we could post an informational plaque within the building dedicated to Augustus Swift explaining the donation he made to restore the building. That way, we can acknowledge the work he did AND the immense impact that Bob Houghtaling had on this community.
Thank you, Roberta, for this proposal.
I grew up in this town. Bob Houghtaling created such a positive, welcoming community everywhere he went. He dedicated his life to helping others. It would mean so much to me to see such a concrete acknowledgement of the work he did and the impact he made on so many of us.
Thank you Roberta. That is the best idea that I have encountered in a long time.
Love it – I would support that!
I love this idea, Roberta. But I also think as we move forward as a community in the process of building new recreational spaces, decommissioning Eldredge as a school and possibly transforming it into an additional community center, we could instead name something new in his name. It would be wonderful if we could create a space that is dedicated to our youth, especially after Swift Gym (previously used as a space for youth-to-youth and teen center meetings) was transformed into a community center for purposes that were more focused on senior services rather than youth groups. The bottom floor of Eldredge would be an incredible space to dedicate to those types of programs, as it provides a kitchen, multiple rooms, and a gym (similar amenities that Swift Gym provided).
Yes!!!