YANKTON, S.D. - A memorial bench was dedicated at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District’s Gavins Point Dam Aug. 17, 2026, in honor of Bruce Dvoracek, who dedicated more than two decades of service to the project before his tragic passing in an automobile accident Aug. 5, 2022, shortly before his planned retirement.
Dvoracek began working at Gavins Point Dam in 1999 and served in a number of roles throughout his career. His final position was senior controller where he managed the safe and reliable operation of the powerplant.
Martin Goding, Gavins Point Dam powerplant superintendent, supervised Dvoracek for two years prior to his passing and shared memories of him during the dedication.
“Bruce was highly dedicated to his craft and ensuring the safety of all personnel in the powerplant,” Goding said. “Bruce had a work ethic that knew no end. He was a highly skilled technician and showed his dedication every time he stepped into the powerplant.
“We had many conversations with Bruce on the operations of the powerplant, and sometimes life in general. He was just someone you could have a conversation with without any reservations.”
Among those attending the dedication were Dvoracek’s wife, Sharon; their daughter and her husband; their son and his fiancée; four grandchildren; and longtime friend Donny Reeves, whom Dvoracek met while serving in the Navy during the Vietnam era as a ship mechanic.
His wife shared remarks about her husband and his dedication to the Corps of Engineers. She spoke about how much he loved his work at Gavins Point and how he considered the people he worked with to be his family as well.
Reeves recalled a funny memory that demonstrated Dvoracek’s mechanical ability. Reeves and his fellow crew members were unable to determine why a certain pump was not working properly. Dvoracek took one look at the problem and quickly identified the issue: the impeller had been installed backwards.
Following the dedication, Sharon and her family were given a tour of the Gavins Point Dam powerplant, including the control room where Dvoracek worked for many years.
The bench will now serve visitors as a lasting place to remember a colleague, friend and dedicated member of the Gavins Point team.
“The meaning of this bench is a quiet place for rest, reflection and remembering Bruce,” Goding said. “Bruce will always be and will always remain part of the team family here at Gavins Point.”