Eric Reutebuch - Lake Watch past president

I cannot seem to wrap my mind around the reality that Dick is no longer with us.  I consider myself very fortunate to have had him as my very dear friend and mentor for the past 25 years.  The first time I met him was when our Auburn University team was doing a water quality study on  Lake Martin in the late 90’s. Dick heard about our study and contacted me about getting our data, since after all, he reminded me that AU was a public  institution supported by taxpayer money. In the days that's followed, I felt like a bulldog got hold of my leg and wouldn't let go. He was tenacious! Of course, Dick got the data.

Over the ensuing years, I learned  about his and Mary Ann’s many battles with the Alex City landfill, the textile mills,  years of work for fair and environmentally friendly dam relicensing  regulations, and the creme-de-la-creme: spearheading the effort for Treasured Alabama Lake designation for our lake.  I am sure there are many others that I've missed. In my humble opinion, his and Mary Ann's  greatest achievement is the thousands of minds that they  influenced through their many, many years of living streams environment  classes every year at Camp ASCCA, and at other venues around the state.  Instead of relaxing and going fishing, Dick gave continually of his time, treasure and talent  to foster environmental stewardship among youth in the classroom, on the lake shore and in the woods.

Through his decades of commitment and dedication to environmental preservation, Dick earned the respect of officials throughout the state. This was most evident to me when I had the privilege to accompany him on a trip to ADEM, the Alabama Department of Environmental Management. They had invited Dick to visit and discuss their proposal to create Treasured Alabama Lake, a brand new waterbody designation, and establish Lake Martin as the first, and, thus far, the only TAL lake in the state. Dick had worked and lobbied ADEM tirelessly for this for many years. When ADEM finally endorsed Dick’s vision for Lake Martin, they called him in to get his blessing on their proposed TAL designation – what a testament to his efforts and to the respect he had earned!

During the years when I had the privilege of leading Lake Watch, I could call him any time for help and advice on lake and environmental issues.  He would think of ideas and solutions outside the box and was always open to collaborating  on projects that would provide insights on impacts to the lake and its watershed. He was a walking encyclopedia on all things Lake  Martin, since he had been at the heart of most of them. He and Mary Ann did not hesitate to use their resources to get the work done. Their generosity and commitment to the causes they believed in are beyond measure. 

When I think of how Dick lived his life, he epitomized one who has truly lived life to the fullest, using the talents that God gave him to make a difference. He was man that, to me, has fulfilled, par excellence, the purpose for which he was born into this world – leaving it a much better place for all of us and future generations. Though he had a servant’s heart – in my eyes, he was a giant among men.

Dick, I love  you and I miss you. Rest in peace my dear friend!

Kathryn Braund - Lake Watch past president

Just before the Fourth of July in 1993, a group of “Concerned Citizens” erected a public sign that read: “WARNING: Sewage and industrial treatment plant upstream.  Swim at your own risk.”  They stuck that warning not far from other home-made signs on Sugar Creek, better known at that time by its more appropriate name of “Stinkum Creek.”  Stinkum Creek flowed into one of Lake Martin’s many fingers, encompassing 40 acres. Declared to be “in compliance” with federal water standards by ADEM, it was an amazing place.  Methane bubbles rose from the muck at the bottom, dotting the water; “obvious solid matter” from the Alexander City water treatment plant were visible as well.  Fish and other aquatic life were non-existent.  It was nasty.

Everyone agreed that “someone” ought to put a sign up warning people about the pollution.  It was Woodfin Martin who said he was going to do something about it. He made the sign and called Dick Bronson, president of the newly formed Lake Watch, to which he belonged.^[1]  Martin was a long-time resident of the lake and he remembered when the water was clean and clear and good for fishing and swimming.  Stinkum Creek wasn’t the only creek that those frisky Lake Watchers tackled. There was Dye Creek, known as Elkahatchee Creek on the maps.  Dye Creek’s appearance depended on Russell Mills: Auburn jersey manufacture day, the creek was blue; Bama jersey day, it was red.  Six million gallons of colored waste water hit the creek daily. Along with the colors, there were at least eight harmful chemicals in the water.  No one wanted to post a sign there either. Not ADEM, not the county health department, not the EPA, not the state department of health and certainly not Alexander City. ^[2] 

That is powerful testimony about Dick’s gift for speaking up and speaking out.  We call that courage. [At the time, half of Alex City’s population were employed by Russell Corp. with more working at Avondale Mills.]^[2]

You can read all about the many accomplishments of Dick and Mary Ann in regard to Lake Watch on the website—their tireless energy and enthusiasm. They are impressive.  But nothing, in my view, is more impressive than citizens fighting to better their community in the face of enormous public opposition from some of the biggest corporations in the state and even state and local governments.  It took perseverance and even some lawyers, but Lake Watch got the job done.  And Dick and Mary Ann had the courage to stand up and take the heat and make sure that things were made right. And all those who had once told them literally and figuratively to “shut up” finally came around to thanking them when Lake Martin was named Alabama’s first Treasured Lake.^[3] 

It is a treasure instead of a cesspool because of Woodfin Martin, Dick and Mary Ann, and the many determined people who fought the good fight under the Lake Watch Banner. Dick and Mary Ann, from the minute I joined Lake Watch over two decades ago, have been my heroes. I’m honored to be a part of the organization they founded. And I was very happy to see them receive the Woodfin Martin Lifetime Achievement Award (as is Annie) at last year’s Lake Watch annual meeting.

[1]“Residents plan to raise stink over creek water’s condition,”  The Montgomery Advertiser, 3 July 1993. The first Lake Watch meeting was held on 2 June 1992.  36 people attended to specifically discuss conditions at Sugar Creek and the Elkahatchee Creek basin. Lake Watch of Lake Martin newsletter No. 1, 25 July 1992. By the next “lively and informative” meeting, in November, membership had grown to over 60 people, with definite plans for combating pollution. Lake Watch of Lake Martin, Newsletter No. 2, November 1992.

[2] “’Dye Creek’ gets name from textile discharges,” The Alabama Journal, 19 December 1990.

[3] Residents plan to raise stink over creek water’s condition,”  The Montgomery Advertiser, 3 July 1993. The quote was by Alexander City Mayor Ben Cleveland.

[4] The Anniston Star, 12 March 1995.

[5] Personal Email  Communication, Annie Waters to Kathryn Braund, 9 February 2023.

[6] “Residents more upset by water color than pollution,” The Alabama Journal, 19 December 1990.  Many residents were afraid to speak up or allow their names to appear in connection with the protests since they were either employed or rented from Russell Lands, part of Russell Corp.

[7] “Lake Martin ‘treasured,’” The Montgomery Advertiser, 29 December 2010.  Gov. Bob Riley signed the executive order designating Lake Martin as a “Treasured Alabama Lake” in a ceremony at Children’s Harbor, noting that Lake Martin was the first to receive this designation.