Regions Hospital Honors Late Woodbury Leader Dick Stafford

It’s been almost four months since Dick Stafford, in Woodbury, passed away.

But his memory was once again honored this week, when Regions Hospital recognized him with a “Friends of EMS” award.

Stafford was chair of the Woodbury Ambulance Council, a group that came together in 1969 to establish an EMS service in the city, said Bruce Stafford, who accepted the award Tuesday on behalf of his father.

“I think it was just an amazing award and recognition,” he said, adding that EMS services were just getting going in the late 1960s. “We were there in the beginning.”

Bruce said Regions officials often reached out to his father, who helped pull together government, political, public safety and hospital personnel in Washington County and Woodbury. The Woodbury Ambulance Council was comprised of city leaders, members of the then-volunteer fire department and hospital officials.

“He was a connection point and a resource point,” Bruce said.

Tuesday’s event was part of “EMS Week,” a proclamation by Gov. Mark Dayton. EMS crews could bring in a vehicle and have it washed at Regions. St. Paul Fire Chief Tim Butler, St. Paul Police Chief Thomas Smith and Ramsey County Sheriff Matt Bostrom were on hand for the event.

Bruce said it was nice to recognize area EMS services. Stafford was always looking to improve things, Bruce said, and always had the good of Woodbury on his mind.

“Dad was really committed to public safety,” he said.