Clyde Espigh is retiring from the board after an extensive tenure of bringing vision and financial expertise to VVRC. Today, he reflects on a lifetime of service and a place to call home.

In the time since he graduated from Belleville Mennonite School, Clyde Espigh has called several places his home, from Virginia to Colorado to Lancaster County. But no matter how far he travels, he’s never lost his connection to Valley View. Over the years, he has offered his time, wisdom, and financial insights as a volunteer board member, investing deeply into Valley View’s present and prayerfully looking to the future. Today, as he prepares to retire from the board, he looks back on his years of service.

Clyde’s connection to Valley View started when he lived in Big Valley. “I well remember when Valley View was in the planning stages, and I knew most of those involved in the planning,” he said. “When it became a reality, my father-in-law, Lester Zook, was the first accountant.”

Clyde and his wife Carolyn settled in Lancaster, where he served as director of finance for a nonprofit retirement community near Lititz for 23 years. After he retired, Clyde received a call from Randy Sheaffer, who was CEO of Valley View at the time, asking if he would serve on Valley View’s board. He accepted, saying, “To a great extent I still consider this area home.”

During his extensive tenure on the board, including a number of years as treasurer, Clyde’s financial experience and faithful giving has brought wisdom and insight into matters of stewardship and operations at Valley View. “With my background being that of finance in long-term care, I’ve been able to speak into a number of things that pertain to finance at Valley View,” he said.

He says that the most meaningful thing about his involvement with Valley View has been the residents. “Over the years I’ve developed a fondness for older people and now at my age, I can say I’ve joined them. Each [resident] has a story that can be told of their life experiences, and many have wisdom to share.”

“For me, Valley View was not only about what I could contribute,” he said. “I’ve appreciated being able to relate with the rest of the board members and with the administration and management. We learn when we listen to the knowledge and wisdom of others.”

“CEO Nicole Sarver has the gift of choosing well when developing an effective management team and retiring CFO Dennis Peachey has the gift of communicating the finances well,” he added. “They have both been very committed. I also observe the care provided by the staff is top notch–Valley View consistently has a four- or five-star rating on Nursing Home Compare at Medicare.gov, which is very commendable.”

“In a real sense, Valley View feels like home to me, and I care that it succeeds.”