During this weekend’s 15th annual Great Mississippi River Balloon Race, Natchez will begin a new tradition in memory of a devoted race volunteer. On Sunday, the race committee will present what will be known as the &uot;Spirit of Dr. David Steckler&uot; award.

Steckler, who died of cancer this summer, was well known for his selfless giving to community events, including the balloon race.

Race committee member Candi Davis said organizers first considered the award last year at the request of Pat Canon, a balloonist from Longview, Texas.

Canon became friends with the Steckler family through the race. Steckler told Canon last year that it would be the last year they would fly together because of his health, Davis said.

Each year, the award will be presented to someone who has volunteered in an &uot;exceptional manner,&uot; Davis said.

Especially during the race’s early years, Steckler helped fill in the gaps — often sponsoring more than one balloon and assisting wherever needed.

&uot;He believed in our event and what it stood for,&uot; Davis said. The award will &uot;honor the memory and dedication that he had to our balloon event.&uot;

The award is a way of continuing Steckler’s legacy.

&uot;We just want other people to know what other people have done before them, and take the dream, that wish and that dedication and take it through the community, because that is that is the way (Steckler) would have wanted it,&uot; Davis said.

Steckler’s widow, Dale Steckler, said her husband was humble and would never have sought the honor for himself.

Mrs. Steckler said she was touched Canon had suggested the award and said her husband never stopped giving until the day he died.

&uot;There (are) very few people in this world that would give themselves so completely as David did,&uot; Mrs. Steckler said. &uot;I don’t think I really appreciated it as I do now.&uot;

Steckler said she thinks her husband would have done the same no matter where the family lived because he thought it would benefit future generations. He always urged their children to do their best at everything and told them &uot;you can give all that you, want but you’ll always get more back than you gave,&uot; she said.