Each in their own way, Alma Lee Loy and Robert (Bob) F. McCabe, who both passed away in April, were well known for their innumerable contributions to the community they loved. Loy and McCabe were recently recognized posthumously by the Environmental Learning Center with inaugural ELC Environmental Education Champion Lifetime Achievement Awards for their significant accomplishments and commitment to the environment.

“We have chosen to start this tradition by honoring two very special members of our community,” said Barbara Schlitt Ford, ELC executive director. The presentation was streamed live and can still be viewed on the ELC Facebook page.

Because of the pandemic, she said the community was not given a proper chance to “celebrate their amazing lives,” and that while both had been involved with numerous charitable organizations, these awards acknowledged their steadfast support of environmental education and the ELC.

County Commissioner Laura Moss called Loy a delight to work with, and recalled meeting McCabe through the Mental Health Collaborative, which was co-founded and co-funded by the Robert F. and Eleonora W. McCabe Foundation.

Commenting that the ELC was the perfect place to be in these stressful times, Moss added, “I think today with COVID, we’re more aware than ever of the importance of mental health. Tie the two together and really it is the perfect union; you have the environment, and you have mental health. And if you come here you will feel better. I guarantee it.”

Don Barr, ELC board chair, said that one of Loy’s many triumphs was as co-chair of the original ELC board more than 30 years ago. “She had amazing careers both in the public sector and private sector.”

Barr said that he had served with McCabe on the ELC Foundation board, of which McCabe was a founding member, and said McCabe was among those who established an investment committee that subsequently created a “nice little war chest” for the ELC.

“He was a really neat guy and I thought he was a hoot,” said Barr, referencing McCabe’s well-known humor.

Barr read proclamations that recognized Loy and McCabe as true champions of the environment and said the City of Vero Beach had issued similar proclamations. Afterward, Moss read letters of recognition issued by the county for their tireless commitment to the people, businesses and quality of life of Indian River County.

“Bob isn’t here physically but his spirit is here, and if his spirit could talk, he would say thank you so much for this honor,” said his widow, Ellie McCabe. “And another thing he would say is that the place looks great. It really looks wonderful so keep up the good work.”

“If she were here, she would be honored and humbled,” said Donna Morris, first cousin to Loy. “I think her true lifelong achievement is that she saw opportunities and she took them, and she left the place in better shape than she found it. She had a talent for making the county take a look at itself and say, ‘I can do better.’ And I think she affected individuals that way, such that we realize we can be better than what we even imagine ourselves to be.”

In addition to framed documents, each family was presented with handmade wall art of a mangrove tree.

“It’s representative of the tree of life, the tree of knowledge, and that’s what we’re all about here – environmental education,” said Schlitt Ford. Engraved boardwalk planks will also be dedicated to them as a part of the TLC for the ELC program to revitalize the campus.

For more information, visit discoverelc.org.