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THE DAVEY BULLETIN
|
July/August 2021
RETIREE HELPED MAINTAIN NATION'S CAPITAL
Driving around the Washington, D.C., area with his
grandchildren, John Dingus often points to trees and
flowers and proudly says, "Davey planted that."
Before retiring in 2008, after 44 years of service,
Dingus spent most of his career in the nation's capital.
As the son of a World War II veteran, Dingus knew the
important symbolism that monuments and memorials
have in America. So, it was a great honor that he was
tasked with beautifying and maintaining many landmarks
around the U.S. Capital during his time at Davey.
"I'm proud of the work that Davey did and continues to
do," Dingus said. "Davey is a good company with good
people. It takes care of the people who take care of it."
Dingus recalled helping transplant the National
Christmas Tree in 1978 and getting called in to work at
the White House in 1994 after an airplane crashed into
the south lawn.
During a lawn care lecture in 2005, his hands began
to shake uncontrollably, and he decided to head to a
hospital. Shortly after, he was diagnosed with Parkinson's
Disease. Since then, he's had two brain surgeries and
lives comfortably at his home in Fairfax, Virginia.
"I'm one of the lucky ones," he said. "I've had a good
life. I had a great career and did great work. I worked
hard. I was married to my wife, Sue, for 50 years. I have
beautiful children, two of whom worked for Davey, and
four grandchildren that I get to spend time with. What
more could I ask for besides health?"
Dingus started with Davey in 1964 as a groundperson
in Iowa on a Davey Tree Surgery Company crew. The
following year he was promoted to landscape foreman
and in 1971 moved to D.C., where he transitioned into
a sales role at the Northern Virginia full-service office.
For the next 20 years he served the greater Virginia
area from Davey operations in Chantilly, Virginia. He
was a charter member of the Davey President's
Council and a recipient of the John Davey Award.
John Dingus next to the Crimson Queen Japanese Maple
planted outside his home in Virginia. Dingus received the tree
in a 1-gallon can in 1961 and it has been planted there since 1963.
Photo credit: John Barlett.
Dingus still enjoys gardening. He maintains a vegetable
garden and helps his neighbors with gardening when
he can, including recently planting 40 tomato plants
for the folks next door. He keeps up with Davey news
through the Davey Bulletin and enjoys watching the
stock price grow as the company grows. Dingus started
collecting coins more than 50 years ago and still snags
new coins for his growing collection. Most are currently
on display throughout his home.
Retirees! Have stories to share about retirement or your life at Davey?
To be featured, call 800-447-1667 ext. 8615 or email bulletin@davey.com.
RETIREE CORNER
JOHN DINGUS' ADVICE FOR
DAVEY EMPLOYEES:
1. Work hard and take a day off when you
need it.
2. Buy Davey stock.
3. Invest in the Davey 401KSOP and ESOP
as soon as possible.
4. Don't wait until it's too late to do the stuff
you want to do.
