2022 Service to Mankind Award

The 2022 Service to Mankind Award has been awarded to a richly deserving pair of Leona Valley residents, the first time we have had co-awardees. Bob Nimesgern and David Clayton are the co-owners of Jack’s Place, our meeting place and local rest in the Leona Valley. Both Bob and David are so deserving of their awards, as they have unconditionally helped us raise funds for our St. Patrick’s Day dinner by preparing the dinner at Jack’s Place and providing
ALL proceeds pertaining to the event dinner only (not dinners off the menu) to Sertoma.

They also allowed us to host the November 20, 2021 Mini Gala at Jack’s Place while absorbing the cost of entertainment, the ABC license and no charge for the use of their business facility.  This 2 1/2 hour event was a HUGE success with proceeds going to support veterans and our local scholarships.

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The Leona Valley Sertoma presents two awards annually, the Service To Mankind Award is presented each year to an individual within our Lakes and Valleys communities, while the Sertoman of the Year Award is presented to a member. For more about these awards we encourage you to visit Sertoma International website.

Bob Nimesgern, 2022 Service to Mankind Award Recipient (as told by his sister, Jen)

Bob grew up in the suburbs of San Diego as the second of four children. In elementary school, he won 1st place in a cake decorating contest. From elementary to high school he worked a bicycle paper route. His first vehicles were a Vespa, followed by an orange VW Rabbit. He worked at Buffums restaurant during high school. He saved his money for trips to Boston to visit an aunt starting in the 7th grade, which sparked Bob’s love of traveling.

While studying at Grossmont College he traveled to France and Mexico. In 1995, Bob visited a friend in London and decided to move there for new adventures. He got a job at a French Patisserie and shared a flat with several people from Australia and South Africa. While in London, he traveled Europe with his roommates and all are still friends to this day.

After returning home from London, he graduated from Scottsdale Culinary School. He landed a job at Delmonico Steak House at the Venetian in Las Vegas as the executive pastry chef. After a few years, he got an itch to travel again and took 10 months off to live in Bali. Bob has traveled extensively visiting over 40 countries, including Israel, Jordon, Ukraine, Turkey, South Africa, Namibia, Morocco, Tunisia, Djibouti, Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Guatemala, Cook Island, Japan, Vietnam, Cambodia, China, Brunei, Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand. His travels have undoubtedly influenced his culinary culture and creations.

He returned to the US and continued working in Las Vegas for a couple years. After 13 years of living and working in Las Vegas, he wanted a change of pace and moved to North Carolina. He worked at the University of North Carolina and spent a few summers working at a restaurant in Martha’s Vineyard.

In January 2019, Bob left the East Coast and moved to Leona Valley to be closer to his nieces and nephew, which is how he met Dave. Six months later, they purchased Jack’s Place together and the rest is history.

David Clayton’s 2022 Service to Mankind Award Recipient (as told by his Mom, Guyla, and sister, Sarah)

David was 2 years old when he moved to Leona Valley. He received his first tractor at 3 years old where he had his first rattlesnake encounter. Growing up he was involved with AWANA, choir, piano and 4H. In 4H he held all the offices and worked the 4-H food booth at the Fairgrounds for several years. He was always busy doing brush clearance for families in the community, rescuing people and their cars in ditches all over town and any and all projects he saw that needed to be done.

He worked for Ramsland feeding the cattle on Ritter Ranch for a few years before moving to Russia for a bit to help build orphanages. When he came home he started work at Burger King, then on to Medical record copying.

David finally decided to follow his dreams and moved to Arizona and went to Scottsdale Culinary Arts School. While there he worked in the Hospitality Hotel industry, a bagel shop and eventually customer service for IBM and AMEX.

Moving back to the AV in 2002 he purchased a commercial bakery called Anna’s. He became quite active around the Antelope Valley sponsoring fundraisers. He became active in LVIA and served on the Board for several years.

After a few odds and ends jobs around town he and Bob finally became the very proud owners of Jack’s Place, which they continue to use to “serve” our community and the surrounding communities.

As you can see David has always had the Gift of Hospitality!!