East Washingtonian - Your Hometown News Source

POMEROY–Garfield County Hospital District is proud to announce November's Employee of the Month, Steve Moore, Facility Maintenance. He was nominated by his co-workers for being an excellent employee. His peers were quoted saying, "He's been a major asset to this hospital."

Steve is a native of Pomeroy and was born at the Garfield County Hospital. His family roots go back four generations, and several other relatives currently live in Garfield County. Steve is a proud PHS graduate from the Class of 1968. One of Steve's first jobs after graduation was working summers for the Forest Service on the Survey Crew and the County Road Crew, which he enjoyed.

Steve has always had a love for music, and is a very talented and accomplished musician who plays a variety of instruments including the trumpet which he performed at school functions throughout his teens. He is a self-taught musician and plays the bass, acoustic, and lead guitars and later the banjo.

In the fall of 1972, Steve married Janet Sheffield from Pomeroy and the two began their musical careers forming the band, Indian Summer, playing locally in the nightclubs. The talented duo was picked up by a music agent and for several years toured throughout the northeastern and western parts of Washington, Idaho, and Montana. The husband-and-wife team received the coveted title of "Clark County's Favorite Duo."

Later they settled down to raise their young family but continued to play music on weekends throughout the Eighties until the disco craze bombarded the music industry and having a devasting impact on the demand for live bands.

Steve was employed at Pepsi Cola Company as a Route Salesman in the Portland/Vancouver area for seven years. In the early Eighties he began working the heavy construction field, working on the site of the Bonneville Dam, outside of Camas, Wash. He later became self-employed, remodeling homes in Clark County for many years. After moving back to Pomeroy in 1997, he formed a construction business, J&S Painting and Remodeling, with his brother, Jerry Moore, for three years.

Steve joined Garfield County Hospital District in April of 2003. He enjoys working with wood, and much of the remodeling in the patient rooms, administration offices and conferences rooms were completed by him.

His expertise in carpentry and finish work can be seen throughout the hospital and clinic. Steve has a great sense of humor, quick wit and is always finding ways to make everyone laugh. He's often been quoted saying, "Taking care of maintenance requests is kind of like being married to 40 women." His warm and friendly personality is appreciated by staff, "Always smiling, happy and willing to help."

Creating a home-like atmosphere for the patient has been goal of GCHD and the residents' rooms and living space reflect a variety of interior styles, and remodeling shines through in Steve's work. "He is quietly moving about this facility fixing things, goes unnoticed and sometimes unseen but one heck of a worker!" When asked what he liked best about his job, he replied, "I like working with the staff, remodeling rooms, doing finish work, and seeing the patients enjoying their surroundings."

-Submitted Photo

Steve Moore

Steve will be retiring from the Hospital District at the end of this year. A long-time employee said, "Steve Moore is a great worker, he has been with the hospital for almost 19 years. He will be missed!"

Retirement plans includes writing and recording music, woodworking projects and enjoying the great outdoors. On the weekends, he and his wife enjoy playing music in church as well as spending time in the mountains and white water rafting with family and friends.

The GCHD staff and board extend their appreciation to Steve the many years of service and taking such good care of the maintenance needs of the hospital, clinic and of the staff. It has been a privilege to work with him and wish him all the best. Congratulations on your retirement!