WALT DOBRICHOVSKY
Walt was born May 11, 1909, to Mary and Joseph Dobrichovsky, in a
log house. At the time of birth, his grandmother Dobrichovsky wasn’t
living, so his grandfather Vac Dobrichovsky lived with them. Two
years later the log house was abandoned as his parents purchased a
prefabricated house from Sears Roebuck which was assembled and is on
the place where his brother Frank and family still live.
Walt started school at age 6. His teacher, J. J. Van Hoff (now
deceased), could only speak English and Walt only Czech, but they
got along fine. It was about 1 ½ miles to school and Walt along with
his brothers and sisters walked every day.
He set a trap line, got up early, and walked the 1 ½ miles. Whatever
furs he got he sold to Frank Kroupa (now deceased). Walt completed
country school and entered Verdigre High School where he graduated
in 1927.
From 1927 to 1929 he helped on his parents’ farm. In 1930.Walt went
to the Coleman Electric School in Kansas City, Missouri, where he
was trained in automotive repair and welding. When he returned to
Verdigre, he did mechanical work on cars and tractors for about two
years.
On August 28, 1933, Walt married Blanche Bartak at Pierce, Nebraska.
They moved to Verdel, Nebraska, where they operated a garage and
filling station. This was the time of the “Depression of the 30s”
when to sell one gallon of gas was a feat! Gas was 25cents a gallon
at the time.
On living, a daughter, Shirley Ann, was born to this happy
couple. The family then moved back to Verdigre where Walt rented the
old Sandoz building and started repairing cars; two years later he
got a dealership for Dodge and Plymouth.
Soon after the move, Walt joined the Verdigre Fire Department and
was an active member until he reached the age of 65. For a few years
after that he was treasurer of the department. He was then honored
by the fire department for 35 years of continued service, receiving
a miniature silver fireman’s badge; again five years later he
received a tie clasp. He presently has a lifetime membership in this
organization.
Walt was appointed to the Village Town Board by Anton Scheinost, now
deceased, in May of 1945. In April 1949 he was appointed chairman of
the board (or mayor), which position he held until April 30, 1957.
His noted accomplishments during his years as mayor included
building the Verdigre Sanitary Sewer System and drilling a new well.
He was appointed treasurer of the Verdigre Livestock Market by J. J.
Chalupnik (now deceased); the market was later sold to Kenny Koops.
[pg 230 PHOTO Walt and Blanche Dobrichovsky]
Walt was a board member of the Czech Alps Terrace at its beginning
and later retired. He has been a board member of the Alpine Village
Nursing Home since its opening, and he is also a member of the ZCBJ
Lodge Bila Hora which presented him a 50-year pin for his
membership. He is a member of the Masonic Lodge in Niobrara and
joined the Consistory of the Yankton Lodge where he became a 32nd
Mason. He was also chairman of the Heart Fund for many years.
Since selling out his John Deere Sales and Repair business, which he
managed from 1937 to 1962, he is now in the Farm Heater and Chain
Saw Sales and Repair business on Main Street in the same building in
which he began his car dealership and John Deere business. Walt is
still an active member of the Improvement Club.
Walt’s previous hobbies included big game hunting in Colorado,
fishing trips to Canada, beekeeping, and family trips to California,
Colorado, and Arizona.
His hobbies now are attending local football and baseball games,
gardening, fishing, picnics and family gatherings.
Walt’s accomplishments have been met with the help of his devoted
wife Blanche who for 53 years stood beside him and gave him a
helping hand when needed. Walt and Blanche celebrated their 50th
wedding anniversary on August 28, 1983.
-Submitted by his daughter, Shirley Thompson’
Page 230
