Longtime parks board director Don Loving honored by CPRD

Don Loving has joined a very exclusive club.

The member of the Chehalem Park and Recreation board of directors for more than three decades was named Honorary Board Member for Life at the body’s June 27 meeting.

The resolution to bestow the honor was moved by board member Jason Fields, seconded by Chair Matt Smith and approved unanimously by the five-person board. The board paused its meeting to recognize Loving, sign and frame the resolution and present it to him.

Loving joins the late Donna McCain and Mike McBride as the only individuals ever to receive the honor during the board’s 50-year history, a release from the CPRD said. As an honorary board member, Loving can attend and participate in meetings but is not eligible to vote.

Loving was first elected to the board in 1991 and served for 32 consecutive years. He was the driving force behind the creation and development of Chehalem Glenn Golf Course and during his term also served as a youth coach and participated in CPRD basketball and softball leagues.

He also served as an elected member of the Deacon Board and treasurer at Family Life Church in Newberg.

Loving is a longtime lobbyist in the Oregon Legislature and was a spokesperson for the American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) for years. He also served on the board for the Special Districts Association of Oregon.

A graduate from the journalism program at the University of Oregon, Loving has been “a visible and enthusiastic Ducks fan and decorated a CPRD golf cart on a Ducks theme each year to ride in the Newberg Old Fashioned Festival grand parade,” the release said.

Loving and fellow longtime CPRD board member Pete Siderius lost their place on the board to Fields and Smith in the May 2023 election.