Eaton Rapids man greets neighbors from street corner for decade

George Doxtader has spent the last 10 years sitting on a bench at the corner of State and Main streets in Eaton Rapids, Michigan, greeting passersby with a raised thumb. The 78-year-old resident has made this street corner his daily post, a routine that has become a familiar sight for the local community.

Kurt Norgaard, a friend of Doxtader, noted that the retired man often arrives before most residents are awake. Norgaard said Doxtader is frequently out by 4 a.m. Drivers respond to the gesture by honking horns and beeping, a sound that has become part of the morning traffic pattern on that block.

Doxtader does not sit at the bench every single day. He takes breaks to attend church and participate in other activities. However, when he is absent for any period, the community quickly notices the change in the streetscape. Norgaard said neighbors often ask, "Hey what happened to George? Where’s George at?" when they do not see him.

Pastor Jenny Rouble of First Congregational Church described Doxtader as a member of her congregation, a friend, and a blessing to the area. She observed that the simple act of seeing his smiling face brings happiness to those who pass by. Rouble noted that drivers know his name and react with enthusiasm when they spot him on the bench.

Doxtader has managed this routine while living with the effects of two major strokes he suffered 35 years ago. The health events left him with paralysis on the right side of his body and occasionally cause difficulty with speech. When asked to describe his speech, Doxtader used the phrase, "Slow and gradually."

In his spare time away from the bench, Doxtader crochets blankets and pictures using only his left hand. He maintains a positive outlook on life, a trait that friends and neighbors find encouraging. Rouble summarized the impact of his presence by stating, "Yes, that’s the goal is the inspiration in a complicated world."

Doxtader continues to sit at the intersection, offering his greeting to the flow of traffic in Eaton Rapids. His consistent presence has turned a standard street corner into a point of community interaction for drivers and pedestrians alike.