A senior and men’s softball league veteran is living up to his nickname of “Iron Man.”

Dave Petrick, 57, was scheduled to undergo a three-hour operation Oct. 1 at the University of California Medical Center in Los Angeles to donate a kidney to his cousin, Kathleen Beard of Simi Valley.

The fathers of Beard and Petrick were brothers.

A town resident since 1979, Petrick owns a tile company. He plays in the Fountain Hills Senior Softball League and organizes the senior softball tournament.

“Dave is not just a sports hero, but also truly an outstanding human being,” Beard wrote in an email to The Times.

The 66-year-old retired school teacher and vice principal suffers from polycystic kidney disease and is currently on home dialysis.

Nine years ago, her brother, John, was diagnosed with the same hereditary renal disease. At that time, he approached relatives and asked if anyone would donate a kidney. Petrick volunteered. John’s business partner also matched his profile and ended up donating a kidney.

“You have no idea how relieved I was when he (Petrick) made the offer to do this,” said Beard when she reached the stage of benefitting from a new kidney.

“He said, ‘I was willing to do it for John and I’m willing to do it for you.’ ”

Every three years, Petrick and Beard renewed their friendship at a family reunion.

They started the medical process last March to determine if they were a perfect match. After many initial tests to determine compatibility and unfounded scares that Petrick might have coronary disease and a malfunctioning heart valve, three weeks ago he was cleared.

He was elated to hear the news. “It wasn’t just for me. It’s a two-fer,” said Petrick.

How does anyone express gratitude to a donor for the extraordinary gift?

“It’s not just a kidney. It is the opportunity to see my granddaughter (Brianna, now 16) grow up, to see my daughter (Cynthia) meet Mr. Right, for my husband (Roger) and I to reach our 50th wedding anniversary, or who knows, maybe even the 60th,” she said.

The Beards have been married 43 years. They also have a son, Jeffrey.

Petrick has some apprehension about undergoing the three-hour surgery only because he has never had an operation. Family members will be by his bedside.

He is upset that he will miss playing in this year’s local senior softball tournament after making arrangements.

Already he is thinking about training for the U.S. Transplant Olympics next July. His cousin, John, has invited Petrick and Beard to compete with him on the California team.

Living donors of any organ or tissue compete in athletic events to deliver the important message that organ, eye and tissue donations save lives.

Petrick expects to return home in three weeks with no significant restrictions to his lifestyle. Beard’s recovery will last longer, closer to four months.

“Getting a kidney from a life donor like this doubles my life expectancy as compared to staying on dialysis, and greatly improves my chances for success,” said Beard.

“I’m anxious to wake up (after the operation) and be able to say ‘I’m feeling OK.’”