In praise of 3 dads

Published 9:00 pm Saturday, October 21, 2006

Richie Shaver is always there for his kids, whether it was pitching in while his wife recovered from three surgeries earlier this year or helping them during his own battle with cancer.

“He never misses an event, no matter how busy he is,” said his wife, Kathryn Shaver. He takes their two children to games, practices and school events and helps coach his daughter’s fast-pitch softball team.

When neck surgery forced his wife to be in a full neck brace for four months, he took her to all her doctor’s appointments and coordinated the kids’ schedules. He also helped out as she recovered from two hand surgeries.

“He made sure we got to everything we needed,” 11-year-old daughter Cherise said.

“And he always makes sure he gets us where we need to be. Very cool.”

Shaver, 47, of Everett, who works as a bus driver for Everett Transit, was announced as Father of the Year on Saturday night.

The award, now in its second year, was presented by Deaconess Children’s Services, a local social service agency, to recognize the contribution of fathers, both to their own children and to the community.

The organization kicked off a similar recognition program for mothers earlier this year.

Ninety-six dads were nominated this year by friends or family members, said April Wolfe, Deaconess’ director of external affairs. “We had lots of amazing dads,” she said. And that made it hard to choose a winner.

This was the second time Shaver was nominated for the award by his wife. “I think people could really relate to him as being a dad,” Wolfe said.

Wolfe said that Shaver almost turned down the invitation to Saturday night’s awards dinner, held at the Everett Station. “He didn’t want to miss a soccer game for one of his kids.”

In addition to coaching his daughter’s fast-pitch softball team, he is vice president of the North Everett Little League. His son, 10-year-old Bailey, plays soccer, baseball and hockey.

He and Kathryn have been married for 15 years. Shaver is a graduate of Cascade High School. He was introduced to his wife by her mother, whom he met on a bowling team.

Shaver was diagnosed with skin cancer in 2004, which required removal of 14 lymph nodes. “He never let that stop him,” his wife said. “He was there for our kids, even during his own time of fear and uncertainty.” He has had no further problems with cancer, she said.

Kathryn Shaver, who works as an emergency dispatcher, said daily she hears of problems caused by a lack of good role models such as her husband.

“I feel very thankful he’s the type of father he is,” she said. “My husband works hard to provide a great life for our children and myself. He truly is our father of the year, every year.”

Steve Griffin of Marysville was one of the three finalists for the Father of the Year award. Griffin, 50, works in sales for Activant Solutions Inc. He was nominated by his son-in-law, Michael Stevens of Marysville.

He is the father of 10 children, six of whom are adopted. He and his wife, Rhonda, to whom he has been married for 26 years, also have cared for 49 foster children.

The couple knew from the time they were dating that they wanted to have four children, he said. Part of their interest in foster care and adoption came from the experience of their own families.

His wife grew up with two adopted sisters. He grew up in a home with an adopted brother.

“Our goal is just to let them see what a safe, happy home can be like,” he said.

The third finalist was Darrell Cox, 37, of Kingston, who was nominated for the award by his three stepchildren. “That brought me a great smile,” said Cox, who works as a remodeling contractor.

Cox was married to the their mother, Kathleen Cox, for 10 years. When she died last year, “he stayed when he didn’t have to,” said stepdaughter Danielle Williams, who is 20. “He’s been there for us ever since.”

Cox said he promised Kathleen that if anything happened to her, he would make sure the kids were taken care of.

“We’ve dealt with a lot, but we’re all still a close family,” he said. “You live day by day.”

Reporter Sharon Salyer: 425-339-3486 or salyer@heraldnet.com.