Long-time Allenhurst resident and Liberty County community activist Dave Sapp passed away Oct. 24. Sapp was 84.

Sapp served Liberty County in various capacities being the founder of or serving on several community organization and boards.

According to his obituary he was instrumental in his work with Liberty Clean and Beautiful, now known as Keep Liberty Beautiful. Sapp was once named Keep Georgia Beautiful Man of the Year.

“With heavy hearts, we inform those of you that may not already know that we lost our fearless leader, Dave Sapp, early Saturday morning,” Keep Liberty Beautiful Executive Director Dr. Karen Bell said. “Dave was instrumental in the founding of and continued success of the Keep Liberty Beautiful Program and dedicated countless hours to Liberty County. His wit, charm, friendship, dedication, knowledge, and commitment to KLB and Liberty County will truly be missed. Please keep his family in your prayers.”

"Working with Dave Sapp as a Keep Liberty Beautiful volunteer was a pleasure," Liberty County Census Coordinator Krystal Hart said. "For the nearly 10 years I knew him, he was always dependable, honest, fair, assertive, and willing to do the work. That is actually a hard combination to find... Dave was a true servant leader that will be greatly missed in Liberty County."

“Gabe and Dave spent hours in the marsh in Riceboro getting tires out for proper disposal,” Liberty County Chamber of Commerce and CVB Director Leah Poole recalled. Poole said it was at the 2014 Rivers Alive cleanup years ago when her son Gabe was eight years old,

 “And the impact that Dave had on him is what I will always remember the most. I was busy, couldn't be bothered to let Gabe help because I had other stuff to do as one of the organizers that year and Dave immediately stepped up, grabbed my kid, gave him some gloves and they took off into the tall grass and water to do what Dave said. As someone who believes that it takes a village to raise a child, I am happy to have known Dave Sapp personally, but even happier that my son had the same chance to learn, and be ordered around by, this great man.”

 Sapp also led the way in starting the County’s recycling program while serving at the Liberty County Solid Waste Department.

"Dave served in various capacities with the County for almost 23 years,” County Administrator Joey Brown said. “He was a role model of dedication to the community and others. He truly knew how to bring a smile to everyone he came in contact with."

Sapp was also involved with Clean Coast Initiative, the United Way, LeConte Woodmanston Plantation, First Presbyterian Christian Academy, Millers Pasture, and many other organizations.

 Sapp was a member of the Hinesville Rotary Club where former Club President Brigitte Shanken said his loss will leave a void that no one else can fill.

 Shanken said she’s known Sapp for 14 years or more and added he used to volunteer at Winn Army Community Hospital where she once worked.

It was well known that Sapp was a lover of the ocean, the environment, and education. He served as the Commander of the Tybee Light chapter of the United States Power Squadron for several terms as a 24-year member, and was the District 26 Executive Officer, and National Governing Board Member until recently. With the Power Squadron he taught boater safety, seamanship, and navigation for several years.

Shanken said it was his expertise as a Captain that led her to ask Sapp for help when she was the Rotary Club President and stared organizing their Rotary Fishing Tournament.

Shanken said Sapp presented a strong front but he had a soft heart for the community. She recalled Sapp didn’t mince words and once told her that he wasn’t quite sure if she could handle being the President of the Hinesville Rotary Club.

“He told me,” ‘” I don’t know if you can do it,’” she said. “Just like that. I didn’t know if he was kidding or not because David had a very dry sense of humor.” But she said Sapp ended up assisting her in anything she needed or asked for.

“Any community event he was right there. Ready to give to others,” she said. “He was my greatest mentor throughout the years. At the end of my term as President Sapp said to me, in front of everybody,” ‘”You know I had my doubts about you but you have definitely earned my respect.”’

Shanken said Sapp was one of the kindest Humanitarians she ever met. “He was funny. He was witty and he was my volunteer dancer when he was volun-told to dance at the Rotary Club. Anything for the good of others, he was there,” she said. Sapp’s full obituary can be read on page 3.