Dexter honored as Citizen of the Year

At Saturday night’s 100th anniversary gala for the Springfield Chamber of Commerce, Buddy Dexter was honored as Citizen of the Year for his many years of service and volunteer work.


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Dexter honored as Citizen of the Year By Susan Smallheer STAFF WRITER | March 07,2016

SPRINGFIELD — Buddy Dexter has always been one to pitch in and help make things work. On Friday, helping to set up The Great Hall for Saturday night’s 100th anniversary gala for the Springfield Chamber of Commerce, he and others couldn’t find a coat rack in the building for the anticipated hundreds of coats and jackets. So, Dexter and Dan Gurney made one. Dexter was honored Saturday night as Citizen of the Year for his many years of service and volunteer work to the town where he was born, grew up and raised his family. “Buddy is the kind of person you want as your next-door neighbor,” said John Tracy, Sen. Patrick Leahy’s state director, who attended the dinner and celebration. Tracy went to Springfield High School with Dexter, although Dexter graduated two years ahead of Tracy, Class of 1968. Tracy said that even in high school, Dexter was “solid,” someone who would always help. “He cares about other people,” said Tracy. The Springfield chamber went all-out for its 100th anniversary celebration, transforming The Great Hall, which itself is in an old factory building, into a 1920s fairyland with looping strings of overhead lights, giant bouquets of white ostrich feathers, and with many attendees in 1920s-flavored costume. There was a 1920s photo booth, artifacts and displays set up by the Springfield Art and Historical Society, and old photographs everywhere. In addition to Dexter, the chamber honored HB Energy Solutions as its organization of the year, thanking Brian Hernon and Tom Hernon for their volunteerism and donations to the community. HB and the Hernons were thanked for erecting and decorating the town Christmas tree and rebuilding Santa’s Hut, where children come visit Santa in downtown Springfield during the Christmas season, as well as donating time and money for many projects including the Rotary Club’s Penny Sale, the Apple Fest, and the Garden Club’s Festival of Trees. “This business is known for its generosity,” said presenter Lori Brown. Dexter, who appeared stunned by the honor, was quickly surrounded by friends and family — his wife Deanna, daughter Meredith Dexter Kelley and son Richard “Deke” Dexter. Most of Dexter’s volunteer work has to do with numbers: he is the treasurer for many Springfield organizations, including the Springfield Hospital, Springfield On The Move and the Gallery at the VAULT, and helped work to create the Toonerville Trail as a member of the Springfield Trails and Greenways Committee, said presenter Bunni Putnam, who was the 2015 Citizen of the Year. He helped raise $75,000 that went toward refurbishing the tennis court at Riverside Park. Dexter in his professional life is an accountant, and currently works for both Gurney Brothers Construction and Susan Dana. He said he was never a certified public accountant despite all his accounting work. Earlier he was the chief executive and controller of American Bitruder, Riefenhauser, and eventually followed the company’s move to Boston, coming home to Springfield and his family every weekend.