Working hard to help make his community thrive

Thanksgiving is here and we have so much to be thankful for in our communities: Our children, families, safety and all the opportunities afforded us by small-town life. Many of these blessings are made possible by the generosity and citizenship of our neighbors and the organizations and volunteers devoted to bettering our communities. One of those individuals working to make Rangely even better is Tim Webber.
Webber attended Mankato State University in Mankato, Minn. He began his career in recreation with Owatonna Parks and Recreation in Owatonna, Minn. He managed a large area at that time and developed his skills for improving recreation districts. He moved to Rangely in 2005 to work for the Western Rio Blanco Metropolitan Recreation and Park District (WRBM).
In almost seven years as the director, Webber has brought in more than $1 million in grant funding for the district. While the budget has fluctuated and Webber has had to cut back in some areas, the improvements made to the existing structures have significantly improved the district’s situation. Webber has been influential in key projects like the Elks Park makeover and the recreation center remodel. His progressive thinking has led to new ideas like having the recreation district take over the school sports budget to save expenses for the educational system. He is highly respected because of these kinds of ideas and his willingness to put in the time to get the work done. Webber has the best interests of the community — especially its kids — at heart and he makes decisions accordingly.
Beyond the recreation district, Webber is also involved in multiple aspects of the community. He is a member of the Rangely Area Chamber of Commerce, and is associated with the Rangely RDA/RDC. He serves on the CNCC Foundation Board, the Rangely Rural Fire Protection District, the Raw Water Users Board and is a member of the Club 20 board of directors. Webber also finds time to volunteer for the Crab Crack, Septemberfest, school functions and several different sporting programs. He does all of this work with modesty, not seeking credit or praise, just the satisfaction of knowing the events were successful.
One of his fellow die-hard Rangely volunteers, Peg Rector, said of Webber, “He is unbelievable.”
Webber married his wife, Annette, on July 22, 1989.
“Twenty-two years and counting that she has put up with me,” Webber said. The couple has three children: Mitchell (14), McKenzie (11), and Marshall (10). Following in their father’s busy footsteps, the kids are involved in basketball, football, baseball, track, cross country, and theater. There is never a dull moment in the Webber household.
When asked what he enjoys most about Rangely, Webber replied, “It’s hard to pin it down to one specific thing, other than there is a lot to do out here both on a personal level and on a business level. I enjoy working with the public.”
One of the very few complaints he has is that it is not good to be a “Big 10” fan here.
“Some hoodlums have painted my hillside on a regular basis stating that the Big 12 rules,” he said.
Webber is an example of someone who gives of himself for the betterment of his community. He leads by example and has set a high standard to follow. If more people were one-tenth as involved as he is, our local organizations would flourish.
He is a role model for stepping up and making a difference, not with his voice, but with his actions. He is a driving force behind much of what makes Rangely “a great place to live.”