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 By JENNIFER TANGEMAN
Staff Writer
Few people exhibit an enthusiasm about historical artifacts as Jim Bowsher does.
When crews working for G.A. Wintzer and Son Co. started working to build new office space on West Auglaize Street, they came across some interesting finds where a rental home had previously sat.
Jim Kent and others of Kent Surveying began finding pieces of artifacts. They called in local history buff, Bowsher, to try to figure out what the bits and pieces meant.
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Wapakoneta Rex: Residents receive top honors at banquet |
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Friday, 13 November 2009 |
 Former Wapakoneta Safety-Service Director Rex Katterheinrich, who was involved in numerous civic organizations including helping establish Sister Cities with Lengerich, Germany, received the 2009 “Citizen of the Year” award from the Wapakoneta Area Chamber of Commerce. He retired this September from the city. Staff photo/William Laney By KRISTA HAYES
Staff Writer
The former Wapakoneta safety-service director slowly removed his glasses and wiped away a few tears as he weaved through a standing ovation from his table near the back of the St. Joseph Parish Life Center to the podium in the front.
Wapakoneta’s Rex Katterheinrich joined a list of recipients dating back to 1954 when he was named 2009 “Citizen of the Year” during Thursday’s Wapakoneta Area Chamber of Commerce’s 47th annual meeting and community awards banquet.
“Receiving the award is so breathtaking that I don’t know how else to explain it,” Katterheinrich told the Wapakoneta Daily News after the awards banquet. “It’s just been a great experience working for the people and community of Wapakoneta, and it’s an honor to be recognized.
“It takes your breath away, but I’m very appreciative and want to thank the Chamber of Commerce and those others that had a hand in nominating and selecting me for the award,” he said.
Other winners included the 2008-09 Wapakoneta Redskins varsity girls basketball team as the 2009 “Ambassador Award,” Luetta Brown as the 2009 “Volunteer of the Year,” Mary and Jeff Monfort as the 2009 “Business People of the Year,” Auglaize County Roots and Shoots Garden Club as the 2009 “Non-profit Organization of the Year,” Deb McElroy as the 2009 “Employee of the Year,” Kathy and Tim Place for the 2009 “Most Improved Residential Property” and Judy Dubois and Darryl Miller for the 2009 “Most Improved Commercial Property Award.”
Katterheinrich, a graduate of The Ohio State University where he earned a degree in engineering, served as Wapakoneta’s safety-service director for 21 years. He served his last day as safety-service director in September.
He also worked for the Auglaize County Engineer’s Office.
During the past three decades, Katterheinrich became immersed in the community. He provided leadership skills as president of the Wapakoneta Rotary Club and Breakfast Optimist Club. He served as president of his Church Board of Directors.
As a charter member of Sister Cities, he and his wife, Janet, have hosted a number of students and adults from abroad within their home.
He has also served as a member of numerous boards such as AMP Ohio, Wapakoneta Area Economic Development Council, Wapakoneta Revolving Loan Fund, and Auglaize County MRDD.
According to a nomination letter, Katterheinrich was chosen to receive the recognition because he has shown a dedicated interest to the community through participation and leadership in several areas within the Wapakoneta community.
“This year’s recipient represents a long history of dedication to the improvement of the quality of life of our residents and children,” Chamber President Jason Neumeier said. “He seldom says ‘no’ to anyone or any organization when it comes to doing a task, large or small, to assist others or provide leadership where needed in our community. He has provided a positive image in our community and in his efforts around the state and abroad.
“His participation and leadership style was based on the 3 C’s — Don’t criticize, don’t condemn and don’t complain,” he said. “He is well respected for his sincerity, commitment and dedication.”
When Katterheinrich finally made his way to the podium, he collected himself for a photograph in front of the chamber’s banner and for his acceptance speech.
“Wow, thank you very much,” Katterheinrich said upon accepting his award at the podium. “We all know that I’m a man of few words, so I’ll try to keep this short. It’s a wonderful honor to be named 2009 Citizen of the Year, but it’s not nearly the honor in serving the city of Wapakoneta and its residents. You are the people who have supported me over the years, and I sincerely thank you for that.”
The 2008-09 Wapakoneta High School varsity girls basketball team earned the 2009 “Ambassador Award” for promoting a positive image in the community to those people outside Wapakoneta and taking the message of the community to a level that was recognized throughout the state.
“This award is amazing,” Wapakoneta High School senior Heidi Schlegel said. “Last year it was so cool to see us get everyone together and the whole community involved in the basketball season. I’ve never seen a town with so much spirit. They respect us and what we do so much, that a simple thank you isn’t enough.”
Jordan Sawmiller and Erica Bryan, both seniors this year, also attended the event as did varsity assistant girls basketball coach Lou Seddelmeyer.
Prior to presenting the plaque to the three team members and their assistant coach, Neumeier read from the nomination letter.
“Their message was when facing a challenge with hard work, great sportsmanship and a lot of class, much can be achieved,” Neumeier said. “When their message reached the Schottenstein Center along with the sea of red followers, everyone, even other teams were talking about the great sportsmanship of the Wapakoneta Lady Skins.”
Thinking she was undeserving to receive the 2009 “Volunteer of the Year” award, Wapakoneta resident Luetta Brown was still in shock when she spoke to the Wapakoneta Daily News about the award after the ceremony.
“It’s great that I won the award but I feel others and more deserving than I am because they do a lot more than what I do,” Brown said. “I don’t know what to think — I’m still in shock — but it’s a great honor.”
The Volunteer of the Year award is presented annually to a nominee who has shown an unselfish donation of ideas, creativity, time and energy to a particular cause, group, organization or project during the past year.
Meeting the award criteria, Brown has volunteered much of her time in the health care sector. The American Red Cross recently recognized her for completing 3,300 hours of volunteer service for the Blood Mobile and Lima Memorial Hospital. This year, she has given an additional 100 hours of volunteer service to St. Rita’s Hospital.
As an active member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, she has helped with Bingo, serving and preparing dinners for funerals, assisting with mass at nursing homes and volunteering weekly with clothing distribution at God’s Storehouse.
“This year’s recipient has had a life of many hardships and numerous blessings,” Neumeier said. “For 30 years, she served as the primary caretaker of her husband after he suffered a debilitating stroke. During that time, she wore many hats and worked multiple jobs to ensure that their family was taken care of. When her husband passed away in 1996, she then resolved to commit her time to serving others.”
The 2009 Outstanding Business Persons Award was also presented to Mary and Jeff Monfort, owners and operators of the Wapakoneta McDonald’s Restaurant for possessing a desire to see and work for the overall improvement of Wapakoneta, its business climate and quality of life.
“To win the award is very humbling, especially knowing some of the folks who have won in the past, and I’m truly honored,” Jeff Monfort said. “Others are probably more deserving of the award that Mary and I, but we want to thank all those that helped raise us up and made us what we are today — especially the employees because they’re the ones that make us look good.”
Neumeier noted the couple dedicate most of their time to creating and managing their five successful business locations, and said it is evident to all that they have put their heart and soul into their employees and into the Wapakoneta community.
“The recipient of this award is a couple who’s work is described by their dedication to their business and employees,” Neumeier said. “It is a standard practice to see them working hand in hand alongside their employees.
“They are firmly planted in their goal toward the creation of happy, content employees providing the best possible service to their customers.”
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Last Updated ( Monday, 16 November 2009 )
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