Rik Valentine is a pillar of the Argenta community, whose decades-long commitment to public safety, infrastructure, and emergency preparedness have made a lasting impact. As a leader with the Argenta Safety and Preparedness Society and the Argenta Cemetery Society, Rik has dedicated over 20 years to wildfire readiness—training hundreds of residents, establishing a fully equipped fire shed, and creating a mapping system for essential water sources, now adopted by several first responder agencies. These efforts were put to the test in 2024, when wildfires threatened the area. Under Rik’s leadership, the Argenta Fire Brigade successfully protected every structure in the community.
Rik also played a pivotal role in designing and restoring Johnson’s Landing’s water system after a devastating landslide, leading a volunteer-driven, 7-year project that secured federal funding, passed engineering standards, and was completed under budget. Rik continues to maintain the system that ensures reliable water access for residents. In between these community projects, he found time over the years to do volunteer work on water and construction projects in Nicaragua, Guatemala and Haiti. His leadership, generosity, and technical expertise have strengthened his own community and have become a model for rural resilience throughout the region.
Photo credit: Bill Metcalfe, Nelson Star
