From running to skiing to skating, Dick Voneugen has used his passion and skills to help make Prince George rich in events and facilities for many years.
Sadly, the longtime volunteer has passed away at the age of 92.
Voneugen, who was born in Holland and a Prince George resident since the 1960s, began his involvement in local athletics in the 1970’s and founded the Prince George Roadrunners, where he served as president for a decade.
In addition, Voneugen was a staple when it came to the Prince George to Boston Marathon, which is now known as the Labour Day Classic.
One of the participants was Terry Fox.
In 1990, Voneugen began his involvement in the B.C. Senior Games by organizing the local track and field team that participated in the event.
He was also a key contributor to the ongoing success of the Kids Fun Triathlon.
Voneugen involvement in the community led to the construction of the Otway Nordic Centre and the Cranbrook Hill Greenaway Trail.
With skating, Voneugen founded the Outdoor Ice Oval committee in 1998, with an eye toward cementing the yearly existence of an Olympic-sized speed skating oval in Prince George.
The 92-year-old was also the chief organizer of the annual Dutch Canadian Tulip Commemoration in the city.
Voneugen was inducted into the Prince George Sports Hall of Fame in 2003 and was twice named the Citizen of the Year, the only person to achieve that honour.
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