Contributed Photo
SOLEDAD — The Soledad community experienced a shockwave recently as news spread that Soledad Community Health Care District Chief Executive Officer Steve Pritt had died. Local Rotarians and members of Eden Valley Care Center gathered last week to honor Pritt’s memory.
“He had immense pride in Rotary and in the health care district, both in Eden Valley and the Clinic,” said Interim CEO Gary Staub. “He was a man of dedication and I think all of us have had interface with him.”
Pritt had been the CEO of Soledad Community Health Care District since June 1998, managing its two operating facilities, Eden Valley Care Center and the Soledad Medical Clinic. He died March 3.
Eden Valley Care Center is hosting a Celebration of Life for Pritt on Saturday, March 17, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the nursing facility, 612 Main St.
Mayor Fred Ledesma remembers that Pritt was a positive person who would often inquire about the San Francisco Giants. He was a person that you always wanted to see.
“There aren’t a lot of people like Steve in this world,” Ledesma said.
Ledesma was encouraged by Pritt to have breakfast with his mom every day when she wasn’t doing so well.
When Salvation Army Service Center Coordinator Cindy Avelino first came to a Soledad Rotary meeting, she was met by Pritt and felt welcome with his words of wisdom, laughs and love of music. Pritt was one of the first Rotarians to speak during meetings giving the “Thought of the Day” following the Pledge of Allegiance. His thoughts would come from famous people, such as Elvis, John Wayne, Frank Sinatra and others.
Pritt’s impact on the community soaked into other businesses through his mentorship. Soledad Mission Recreation District Executive Director Frances Bengtson was struggling in her position a few years ago and was given the suggestion by her board members to seek out a mentor.
“There was so much more to be gained by what he was offering than what I wanted,” Bengtson said. “I wanted answers to my questions and what he wanted was to guide me to be a better leader so that I could find the answers on my own. He encouraged me as a woman in a leadership role.”
Pritt motivated Bengtson to read books that would be perfect for her life.
“He always really believed in people,” she said. “He said his employees were everything. He said always encourage and take care of your employees. They make your organization and your business a success.”
Rotary President-elect Erica Padilla-Chavez attended PETA’s two weekends ago and Pritt came to her mind several times throughout the conference.
“I think one of the things I walked away from PETA’s with was feeling honored to be part of this group,” Padilla-Chavez said. “But also being honored to have the opportunity to learn from the best Rotarian around.”
