By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current
Area residents are invited to meet the Distinguished Alumni from Geneseo High School, as well as the current academic scholars at GHS at Academic Scholar Night.
The event, which will be two separate programs, is Thursday, Feb. 29, at GHS. The Distinguished Alumni program will be held at 5 p.m. in the Joseph and Marilyn DePauw Theater, and the Academic Scholar Night will begin at 7 p.m. in the Concert Hall at the high school.
Current GHS students to be recognized at the ceremony include members of National Honor Society, National Technical Honor Society, Illinois State Scholars and AP Scholars.
The 2024 Distinguished Alumni Inductees:
EDITH DUNHAM FOSTER
GILBERT PRITCHARD
ANDREW NASH
WILLIAM OGDEN FARBER
ROBERT E.P. CHERRY
MARVIN KLEINAU
GREG HINRICHSEN
GARY STAHL
TOM HOLTZ
-Edith Dunham Foster –Class of 1882 –Foster left an incredible mark on the world of cinema and education. She was an American educational filmmaker who played a pivotal role as the editor of the Motion Picture Community Bureau. This Bureau was instrumental in providing the films that were viewed by American Armed Forces during World War I.
Even after the conclusion of World War I, her dedication to the realm of cinema and education persisted. She continued to collaborate with her son, a patent attorney and inventor, working on the production of educational films and contributing to the ongoing evolution of motion picture apparatus.
-Gilbert (Gib) Pritchard – Class of 1922 – Gilbert J. Pritchard made substantial contributions to the community of Geneseo throughout his life. From 1928 to 1975, he served as an International Harvester dealer, establishing himself as a prominent figure in the local business scene.
Beyond his professional endeavors, Pritchard played a crucial role in education, serving on the school board during the establishment of the district Post-World War II. His commitment extended to the realm of telecommunications, where he contributed to the Geneseo Telephone Co. as a past member and president of the board, but also made his mark in banking on the Central Trust and Savings Bank Board.
-In addition to his business and professional roles, Pritchard participated in community organizations and was one of the original sponsors of Little League baseball in Geneseo.
-Andrew Nash – Class of 1993 – Col. Andrew J. Nash is Director of Operations (A3) at the Arkansas National Guard Joint Force Headquarters in Camp Robinson, AR. With 23 years of service in the U.S. Air Force, he coordinates military and emergency response operations for the Arkansas Air National Guard.
Col. Nash was born and raised in Geneseo and after graduating from college in 1998 with an engineering degree, he received his Air Force Officer Commission in 2001 and has held various command positions, including the 33rd Fighter Wing Detachment 1 Commander and the 188th Wing Detachment 1 Commander.
Nash has flown numerous combat missions in Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. He served as an Instructor Pilot in the A-10, Aircraft Commander in the C-135, and has been recognized with multiple awards, including the meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal, NASA Aircraft Operations Top Engineer Award and Combat Readiness Medal.
Col. Nash holds civilian credentials as an Airbus 330 First Officer with a major commercial airline. He has pursued extensive education, including completion of Air War College in 2022, and holds a Bachelor of Science in Engineering from Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa.
-William Ogden Farber – Class of 1928 - William Ogden “Doc” Farber was an American political scientist, professor emeritus at the University of South Dakota, and founder of the South Dakota Legislative Research council. Notable protégés that credit his teachings as influences include Tom Brokaw, Al Neuharth, Dennis Daugaard, Dusty Johnson and Pat O’Brien.
After graduating as valedictorian from Geneseo Public High School in 1928, he received a BA cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa in 1932 from Northwestern University in Chicago. He continued at Northwestern while he earned his Master’s and distinguished himself as a Harris Scholar. In 1935, Farber completed his formal education when he received a Ph. D from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI.
He began his career as a professor of political science at the University of South Dakota in 1935, where he served as the chair of the Department of Government (now the Department of Political Science) until 1976. During his tenure at the university, he founded several organizations dedicated to advancing research in government.
Farber created the University’s Government Bureau and founded the South Dakota Legislative Research Council, serving as its first director. In addition, he served as chair of the Vermillion City Planning Commission and was a leading member of South Dakota’s constitutional Revision and Local Government Study Commissions.
He also served many roles outside of the university setting and was the author of several articles and books.
-Robert E.P. Cherry – Class of 1942 – Robert E.P. Cherry dedicated his entire life to the sporting goods industry. His journey began at age 15 when he joined his father’s business, Cherry’s Sporting Goods in 1939 in Geneseo. After his father’s death in 1950, Cherry assumed ownership and continued at the helm until he decided to sell the business in 1986. His connection to the industry remained strong, and in 1989, he repurchased his business, ultimately passing it on to his son Kevin.
Since 1986, Cherry served as an independent consultant to the sporting goods.
In 1951, he made a mark in the industry by founding the commemorative gun industry with the introduction of the Colt Geneseo, Illinois 125th Anniversary Deringer. This pioneering creation marked the inception of commemorative guns and solidified Cherry’s reputation as the foremost authority on the subject worldwide.
Over the years he expanded the concept and his influence extended beyond creation, as he published a comprehensive book on commemorative guns in 1973 and contributed numerous articles to magazines and periodicals.
He was a member of Colt Firearms’ 11-Man Commemorative Committee. He was widely known as an appraiser of fine firearms. In 1987, he appraised the Smith & Wesson factory museum collection for Smith & Wesson.
-Marvin Kleinau – Class of 1948 – Marvin Kleinau was involved in all activities, including football, track, golf, debate and individual speech contests. He was a state qualifier finishing second in debate and fourth in extemporaneous speaking and was one of four students selected for the National Honor Society and the only boy. He was president of his class and president of the National Honor Society.
Kleinau attended Illinois State University in Bloomington where he was active in debate, extempore and theater.
He served two years in the U.S. Army and returning to Geneseo, Kleinau taught speech and history, winning the sectional tournament for the first time in the history of the Geneseo school.
In 1961, he accepted a scholarship to begin his Ph.D. studies at Southern Illinois University. In addition, he taught for two years at the University High School, organizing a speech competition program combined with an existing debate program. IN 1963, he became a faculty member in the SIY Department of Speech and was made the SIU Director of Forensics.
Kleinau was awarded the Mobile Outstanding Teaching Award as a result of student evaluations. He was appointed by the Chancellor to chair the Program Evaluation Committee and also was appointed by the Chancellor to chair the North Central Accreditation Team. Kleinau was awarded the Board of Trustees Distinguished Service honor in 1993. He chaired the Speech Department for 10 years and was named the interim dean of the College of Communication and Fine Arts in 1989.
He received the Amoco Award as the top SIU undergraduate teacher in 1977 and has written debate books with Dick Hunsaker and nine manuals while he directed workshops.
In 1977, Kleinau was ordained an Elder in the Community of Christ Church. In addition to serving as pastor of the congregation, he was elected to serve as President of the Southeast District, serving 10 years. In 1984, he was ordained a High Priest and in 1991 was ordained an evangelist.
-Greg Hinrichsen – Class of 1970 – Greg Hinrichsen’s journey has been marked by a series of notable achievements and contributions. In his high school years, he served as a page in the United States Senate, setting the stage for a life dedicated to service and education. His academic pursuits led him to graduate from Harvard College and subsequently earn a Doctorate in Psychology from New York University. Over a span of 45 years, he carved a niche for himself as a psychologist specializing in aging, engaging in a multifaceted career.
Throughout his professional tenure, he played pivotal roles in various domains of psychology. He not only offered clinical services, but also delved into research, directed psychology internship and fellowship programs, and made significant contributions to public policy.
His career extends to his former position as the national director for Community Mental Health in the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, highlighting his dedication to addressing mental health issues in the veteran community.
Currently, Hinrichsen holds the position of Clinical Professor of Geriatrics at Mt. Sinai Medical School in New York City, where he has resided since 1977. This role showcases his ongoing commitment to education and geriatric care. Hinrichsen’s life story is one of continuous dedication to the betterment of mental health services, research, and education, making him a notable figure in the field of psychology and aging.
-Gary Stahl – Class of 1978 - Gary Stahl has led a distinguished career in international development and humanitarian efforts. His journey with UNICEF began in 1994 when he assumed the role of coordinator for Emergency Operations in Southwest Rwanda, overseeing vital program activities for 400,000 displaced individuals.
His moved to Kigali in 1995, taking on the role of Chief of Field Operations.
In April, 2000, Stahl transitioned to a position as the Chief Operating Officer, VP, of Programs, and Treasurer at the Net Aid Foundation in New York and his responsibilities expanded to encompass a broader spectrum of programs and operational functions.
He went on to serve as the UNICEF representative in Managua, Nicaragua, and took on the role of Deputy Director of UNICEF’s Public Alliances and Resource Mobilization Office in New York until August 2009.
In September of 2009, Stahl assumed the role of UNICEF representative to the government of Chile, and this position underscored his skills and ability to navigate complex international relationships for the betterment of children’s welfare.
-Tom Holtz – Class of 1986 – Tom Holtz embarked on a musical career that spanned more than two decades with “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band. His musical journey began in elementary school in Geneseo, setting the stage for a path in music. After graduating from Geneseo in 1986, he pursued his passion at Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ.
Sgt. Holtz faced an initial setback when he wasn’t selected after his first audition in 1989. He persevered, auditioning again in 1991 and securing a coveted spot as one of six tuba players in the Marine Band.
Established in 1978, “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band stands as the nation’s oldest continuously active professional musical organization, based at the Marine Barracks in Washington D.C.
Throughout his tenure with the band, Holtz performed at countless concerts in the Washington D.C. region and more than 3,000 concerts across the country during seven national tours. Additionally, he participated in over 1,000 full honors funerals at Arlington National Cemetery. A pinnacle of his career included performances at Presidential inaugurations.
Tom Holtz’s journey exemplifies a dedication to musical excellence and a profound contribution to the cultural fabric of the nation.
