Submitted Photo

Local Realtor Ed Eggerer was recently presented with the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal for his volunteer work and donations to the community.

view all photos (-count-)

Longtime Airdronian honoured with prestigious medal

Airdrie resident Ed Eggerer was recently presented with a Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal for his exemplary contributions to the community.

“I am happy to receive it and I am honoured,” said Eggerer. “I was very humbled by even being (nominated).”

Eggerer, 68, studied history and political science at the University of North Dakota before teaching school in Winnipeg.

In 1978, Eggerer acquired his real estate licence, starting a long career in the industry.

Eggerer moved to Airdrie in 1980, where he served as the president and co-owner of Century 21 Castlewood Agencies. He stayed in that role for 17 years.

While working in the industry, Eggerer received several awards, including the Top 21 Canada Award and the Century 21 Grand Centurion Award. He is also a charter member of the ICI Division of Calgary Real Estate Board and a member of the MLS Million Dollar Club.

Eggerer has served his community in many ways over the years.

He is a 25-year charter member and past president of Airdrie’s Rotary Club, a 30-year volunteer and past chairman of the Calgary Stampede Visiting Band committee, founding member and past director of Airdrie’s Bethany Care Centre and a current director of Airdrie Housing Ltd.

Eggerer is also a past president of the Airdrie Chamber of Commerce, a founding member and past president of George McDougall High School’s S.O.S. Society, which built two lotto houses in Airdrie and raised $60,000 for school activities. He also refereed basketball and volleyball for 15 years in Manitoba and Alberta.

The realtor was a member of the 2012 Federal Alberta Electoral Boundaries Commission, and served as a returning officer for federal and provincial electoral districts.

He was also a U.N. Election Observer in Cambodia in 1993.

Eggerer, who moved to Airdrie when the population was 4,000, said has enjoyed volunteering his time to the community.

“When you volunteer, you don’t look for the recognition, you do it because you want to do it,” said Eggerer.

“There is a certain amount of fun and satisfaction with people that you are either helping or volunteering with.

“(You get the feeling) I have done something, I have contributed… that is the reason why you do these things.”

The commemorative medal, presented to Eggerer by Senator Bert Brown during an informal presentation in the first week of June, was created to mark the 60th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II’s accension to the throne.

In 2012, 60,000 deserving Canadians will be recognized with the medal.