Volunteer Spotlight: Bob Gauvin

After traveling the world with the U.S. Coast Guard, Bob Gauvin retired his sea-legs and settled in Spotsylvania County. For the past five years, he’s spent his Wednesday mornings waking up early to care for the lawn and handle general maintenance at Ellwood– part of the Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park.
When praised for his countless hours of volunteer work, Bob looks down modestly and simply says, “I just believe in giving back.” He’s part of the dedicated Ellwood volunteer maintenance crew—the primary team responsible for the routine care of this section of the Wilderness Battlefield.
Bob, who is qualified to operate anything that floats—from cruise ships to cutters—now commands a fleet of lawn mowers. When asked what he enjoys most about volunteering, he says it’s the camaraderie among the team. It was actually a friend already volunteering at Ellwood who introduced him to the opportunity.
Bob hopes that by sharing his story, other active retirees might be inspired to join the crew. “It’s just beautiful here,” he says, blinking in the sunshine.
Bob is one of Ellwood’s true treasures, giving his time and energy to help maintain the trails and grounds that countless visitors walk every day. A national treasure in his own right, we are deeply grateful for his continued service.