After graduating from high school in 1956, Harry Garverick went to work in a local factory. He eventually realized that he wanted to go to college, and with the help of a friend, he earned a full scholarship to Delta State College in Cleveland, Mississippi, where he played basketball from 1959 to 1963 and earned a BS degree in Education. This led to a long and distinguished careeras a teacher and coach at both the high school and the college levels. How did it all begin?
Garverick attended Galion schools from kindergarten on. Described by Max Ness, who nominated him, Harry was a "...talented athlete lettering in both varsity basketball and baseball all four years..." As a junior Garverick earned All-NOL honors in basketball and was the seconding leading scorer in the league. As a senior, he was named All-NOL First Team and All Ohio Honorable Mention in basketball. One of the perks that came with his basketball success was earning hot dogs form Porky's diner. (Ness noted that even after Garverick had moved away from Galion, he always visited Porky's when visiting his family in Galion.)
After his years at Delta State, Harry returned to Ohio with his wife Faye, whom he had met at school, and began his teaching and coaching career at Urbana High School. After a couple of years, Garverick took a position as a graduate assistant at Southeastern Louisiana University and earned his Master's Degree in Educational Leadership in 1967. He joined the basketball staff and became a "top recruiter" (Ness) but missed teaching and coaching, so he moved his family back to Ohio. He first took a position at Zane Trace High School and was named Coach of the Year in 1972. He moved to Monroeville and led his 1975-76 team to an Elite 8 finish, losing in the Regional Finals by 1 point. He and his team earned the distinction of "Citizens of the Year" from the local newspaper, The Spectator (1976). He and his team also were inducted into the Monroeville Hall of Fame in 2019. He was named to the Ohio High Basketball Coaches Association's Hall of Fame in 1985 for his 126 wins as a varsity coach. 1986 Harry moved to Upper Scioto Valley, and in 2015, was selected for it Athletic HOF.
Garverick taught at Tri Rivers Career Center from 1977 to 1985, working with non-traditional students. His goal was to help these students graduate from high school and secure jobs. And according to Ness, "That was what Harry did best, looking after his players and students." Just as someone had helped him to get a scholarship to college, Garverick aided many of his players to get scholarships that enabled them to go to school when they might otherwise not have been able to afford college.
In addition to his teaching and coaching on the high school level, Harry volunteered his time to coach youth baseball and basketball while living in the Marion, Ohio, area.
At 55, Garverick was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis and he retired from teaching and coaching in 2001. Ness noted that Harry "fought hard to beat this formidable opponent." He succumbed on January 28, 2018, at the age of 79. But he will always be remembered as a "champion and a leader of young men. He loved his students and players and hoped that somehow he had made a difference in their lives." (Max Ness Nomination Letter.)
MR. JAMES GARVERICK
CLASS OF 1958
Imagine teaching over twenty thousand accounting professionals and authoring or co-authoring over thirty income tax training courses or providing income tax training programs for every state CPA Association in the United States as well as local and regional CPA firms. According to Max Ness, who nominated James Garverick, these are just a few of the accomplishments of this distinguished Galion Senior High School Alum.
After graduation from high school, Jim, the third of five children of Harold and Mina Garverick, and friend Merle Kleinknecht, volunteered for and served in the United States Army for two years, doing basic training at Ft. Benning, Georgia, and serving 18 months with the 3rd Infantry Division in Bamberg, Germany.
Following his discharge, Garverick joined four other Galionites and enrolled at Delta State College in Cleveland, Mississippi where his older brother was attending at the time. Completing the course work in three years, Jim earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. In 1969, he received his Master of Science degree in accounting from Kent State. In 1970 he earned his CPA (Certified Public Accountant) designation and, in 1986, earned his CFP (Certified Financial Planner) designation.
Garverick began his professional career with The Glidden Company in Cleveland, Ohio, working as an internal auditor. In the late 70's, he started Garverick-McCoy Tax Seminars (GM), which Ness describes as "...one of the premier income tax Continuing Professional Education companies in the United States". For his success writing curricula and teaching thousands of students as mentioned above, Garverick was awarded special recognition from the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants; The Society of Louisiana Certified Public Accountants; The Arizona Society CPA Foundation for Education and various other income tax conferences.
In addition to his work with professionals, Garverick became involved in the academic world, teaching on the college level and preparing more young people to enter the world of accounting. Beginning at Wittenberg University in Springfield, Ohio, Jim spent over 35 years on the business school faculties of various universities. In addition to Wittenberg, Jim held full-time positions at Franklin University, Auburn University, The Citadel, and the University of Texas-Pan American. Part-time positions included teaching at Wright State University, The College of Charleston, and Charleston Southern.
Over the course of his career, Garverick received the Hugh Ellis Alumni Service Award from Delta State University, induction into the Delta State University Alumni Hall of Fame (the highest honor presented by the Delta State Alumni Association), and recognition as Delta State's Outstanding Alumnus of the Year (1985).
Currently a resident of Summerfield, Florida, Garverick and his wife of 51 years Bonnie have three children, Beau and his family, Indianapolis, Indiana; James II and family, Atlanta, Georgia; and Ashley and children, Vienna, Virginia.
James Garverick spent the bulk of his life living away from Galion, working to teach others about his professional field; however, he has also maintained a Galion connection, returning at one point to give a Commencement Address for Galion High School seniors, who can be counted among the thousands whose lives he has touched.
MR. HAROLD "TUBBY" GARVERICK
CLASS OF 1955
According to Max Ness, who nominated Garverick, "Tubby's daily goal is to ‘add a little sunshine to someone's life.'" To that end, Harold Garverick spent his life reaching out to others.
Born in Galion in 1937 to Mina and Harold Garverick, Tubby attended Galion schools where he participated in various sports and activities and held numerous leadership roles, including: Class President (11,12) and Vice President (9-10); Football (9, 10, 11, 12, Captain and All NOL 12); Basketball (9, 10, 11, 12, Co-Captain and 2nd Team All NOL 12); Baseball (9, 10, 11, 12, Captain 12); and Membership in Hi-Y (11-12), Glee Club (10-12), and Varsity G (10-12) He also served on the Prom Committee. For all his accomplishments, he received the Cemco Industries Scholarship at the University of Illinois, attending for the 1955-56 year.
Tubby transferred to Bluffton College (now University) and graduated in 1960 with a degree in Business Administration. NCAA rules prohibited him from playing football for a year, so he became a student coach and captain of the defensive "scout" team. Once permitted to participate, Garverick became team Captain, helped Bluffton win two league titles and earned distinction as All-Conference linebacker two years. As a baseball player, Garverick was named All Mid-Ohio League catcher his senior year. In 2003, Tubby was elected to the Bluffton College (University) Athletic Hall of Fame.
Following his graduation, he took a position with Marathon Oil. Then in 1962, he began a 43-year career with State Farm. After completing State Farm's training programs and The National Association of Life Underwriters personal and business life insurance schools, Tubby was chosen to attend SF's 6-week Home Office Agency Management Development program, just one of 12 to be selected. This led to a position as a Regional Training Coordinator in Newark; after 2 years, he became the Regional Training Director, leading agency sales and management programs.
In 1969 Tubby accepted a new challenge, taking over as agency manager in Cleveland's eastern suburbs. There he recruited new agents and helped an older, low performing agency to grow to be a successful one. In 1981, he returned to sales and took over a small office in Willoughby, enlarging it from one with 1500 policies to one that serviced over 4800 auto and 2800 fire policies by the time of his retirement in 2005. While in the Cleveland area, he also taught Principles of Insurance at Lakeland Community College and a life insurance class sponsored by the Life Underwriters Council.
Living in Mentor, Garverick became actively involved in the schools and sports programs. He served as chairman of SF's "Adopt A School" program working in Cleveland's Sunbeam Elementary K-6. He and the agency staff tutored, assisted needy families, sponsored Christmas parties, and donated books so each student could read one over the summer. He also coached his sons' youth football, basketball and baseball teams while serving as an officer in the sponsoring organization. He was elected to and served 8 years on the Mentor School Board, working on several major building projects. For his efforts he was named the "Distinguished Citizen of the Year" by the Lake County Coaches Association and the "Friend of Education" from the Mentor Teachers Association.
According to Ness, Garverick also had an "Alter Ego" - Woody Hayes. As a devoted fan of the Buckeyes, Tubby would attend OSU games dressed as Woody and a Cleveland Plain Dealer article about the January 4, 2003, game in Tempe had the headline: "Woody returns for the Championship Game." Ness also noted that "When the OSU football team is playing in the Phoenix area, Tubby (Woody) has been invited to participate in neighboring towns' Buckeye festivities."
Harold "Tubby" Garverick's life is testament to his belief that "...all the things you accumulate... don't mean a thing...the only thing that counts is ‘how you raised your family and the friends you leave behind.'"
MR. PAUL G. "JERRY" JAMES
CLASS OF 1944
(POSTHUMOUSLY)
On December 3, 2018, many individuals, groups and organizations within the Galion community lost a dear friend and a devoted citizen whose life and actions illustrate what one individual can do to make the world in which he lives a better place. On that date, Paul G. "Jerry" James died at the age of 92. His last gift to humanity was the donation of his body to the Ohio State University Anatomical Department. But prior to that donation, Jerry had spent his lifetime giving to others as a friend, club member, etc.
After his graduation from GHS, Jerry entered the service of his country as a member of the Eighth Army Air Force (June 14, 1944 - November 22, 1946). Jerry achieved the rank of Corporal and earned several awards and commendations during his stint in the military. According to his wife Donna, his devotion to his fellow soldiers could be seen in his yearly participation "flipping pancakes" on his birthday as part of the American Legion's Gift for Yanks program.
His service to others included helping with Class of 1944 reunions, driving people to doctor's appointments, delivering "Meals on Wheels," working as a member of the Volunteer Team of Home Care Matters, Home Health and Hospice, and volunteering at the Galion Golden Age Center where he could be found "doing anything that was needed" (Donna James). As a devoted fan of the Galion Tigers, Jerry was a regular worker in the concession stand for the Galion Booster Club at GHS home athletic events and chauffeured for the cheerleaders to away games for 17 ½ years before they were permitted to ride the team bus.
Within the community, Jerry was an active member of the Galion Elks Lodge 1191 (48 years); the American Legion, Scarborough Post 243 (73 years); Galion Masonic Lodge 0414 (50+ years); Masons of Columbus (29 yeas); the Galion Moose Lodge (29 years); the Ohio State Highway Patrol Auxiliary (42 years); the Galion Historical Society; and the Galion Chapter of the American Red Cross, serving as a board member and secretary and helping to organize various other events, including blood drives to which he donated 198 pints of blood through 2001.
James was recognized on numerous occasions for all of his service and effort to make Galion a better place to live. Among his awards are:
• Outstanding Senior Citizen of the Year - Area Agency on Aging - 1988
• Galion's Citizen of the Year - Galion Area Betterment Commission - 1989
• Galion and Crawford County's Senior Citizen Award - Ohio House of
Representatives - 122nd General Assembly of Ohio 1998
• Galion Parade Marshall - 1999
• Ten-year Advisor Junior Achievement Award - 1989-99
In nominating James for the Alumni Association's HOF, Ruth Ritchey, a 1944 classmate, said: "Jerry was honest, enthusiastic, fun and always there for everyone! Jerry graduated in Galion, lived lifelong in Galion and helped Galion be a better place."
MR. JOE KLEINKNECHT
CLASS OF 1960
While the dictionary does not officially define the word "Kleinknecht" as meaning "involvement," a review of Mr. Joe Kleinknecht's resume would reveal that it could.
After graduating from high school where he played football and baseball, Joe went to work for Columbia Gas of Ohio, retiring in 2000 after 40 years. Starting as a meter reader, Kleinknecht eventually assumed various other roles in the company, including the Galion Area Plant & Service Supervisor and the North Central District Plant Specialist & Technical Operation Specialist. After his retirement, Joe took a position with Utility Technologies International where he work with Natural Gas Companies in several states. In 2003, he accepted the position of CEO of the Galion Area Chamber of Commerce, a position he still holds. Under his leadership, Chamber membership has grown roughly 40% and, in 2013, combined with the Crestline chapter to become the Galion-Crestline Area Chamber of Commerce.
In the years since his high school graduation, Joe has been actively involved in many, many aspects of Galion. A true sports fan, Kleinknecht has coached youth track, football and basketball as well as managing Little League and Babe Ruth teams. He is a Charter Member of Galion Alumni Association and has been the Vice President of the Association's Board since 2004. Among his duties in this capacity are working on the Connections Weekend planning committee and selling 300 Club raffle tickets as part of the Association's fund-raising activities. He is a Charter Member of the Galion Alliance Church (1983) and has held various positions including building chairman, Deacon's Chair, and member of the board of trustees.
In his effort to make Galion a better community in which to live, Kleinknecht has served on the Galion City Council from 1998 until 2003, holding the position of Council President for two years. Joe has also been on numerous organizational boards such as the Center-Y (3 terms - 16 years, 2 as President); Crawford County Business and Education Partnership (Charter member, 15 years, 4 as secretary); the Pickle Run Festival (working with both Ferd Unckrich and Sarah Capretta); Crawford-Richland Workforce Board of Directors; the Galion Community Improvement Corporation; the Come Home to Galion Committee (Charter Member); the Galion Safety Council Advisory Board: the Crawford County Regional Planning Commission, Junior Achievement of Ohio (President); and the Galion Kiwanis Club (17 years). For his efforts, Joe was named the Jaycees Man of the Year (1981) and the Galion Area Chamber's Professional of the Year (2010).
When not attending meetings and working to help grow Galion, Kleinknecht stays involved with his family. He and his wife Judy have 5 children, 13 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren. While he still enjoys sports (He played tennis into his 60s.), Joe now attends his grandchildren's school activities, especially sporting events. He and Judy also like to go to Florida to visit their daughter and her family.
Truly, Mr. Joe Kleinknecht has given of his talents and energy to his family, his community and the organizations that he supports to make Galion better for everyone.
A. KENNETH JARVIS (1965)
OUTSTANDING EDUCATOR
1976-1999
Every mid-September Galion's population nearly doubles for one day. How?
The answer: The Galion Cross Country Festival at Amanns Reservoir.
Galion first hosted a small version of the Festival in the early to mid 70s. Today, the meet is the 2nd or 3rd largest XC event in Ohio with over 100 schools entering and in excess of 3500 runners from middle to high school age participating yearly in 17 races.
Who has been behind this growth? Meet manager, A. Kenneth Jarvis, GHS ‘65.
Coming to Galion from Texas, where his father was a pastor, Ken (as he is known to most people) attended Galion Schools and participated in various activities such as Little League and Babe Ruth baseball, high school clubs, track, and as he has says, "Dating Penny." Following high school he went to Ohio State University and graduated with a BS in Education (1969). He began his teaching career at the Colonel Crawford junior high, teaching Ohio history and American history and coaching swimming from 1969 until 1975. In the fall of 1975, he came to Galion where he taught social studies at the high school until his retirement in 1999. In addition to his academic responsibilities, Jarvis coached the year-round: middle school cross country in the fall; high school swimming in the winter; and high school track in the spring.
Jarvis has always been willing to step up and help. For example, when he was too old to play Babe Ruth baseball, he volunteered to assist his former coach with the team the next summer. After he came to Galion to teach, he noted Galion did not have a swim team, a fact he called to the attention of GHS Athletic Director, who then recruited Ken to coach the team. His involvement in the XC Festival is similar: the AD came to him and said the current manager of the district meet was stepping down and the AD wondered if Ken would take over. This led to Ken's accepting a 30+ year role as manager of the Galion Cross Country Festival. (He has continued to promote and manage the meet for 20 years since his retirement from the classroom.)
While managing the Festival has been an almost "full time/year round" job over the years, Ken has still found time to assist in the community, helping 2018 inductee George Guins with area road races like the Brattie Run and assisting with Avita's Hearts & Soles runs. He has also served on the Scholarship Committee of the Community Foundation for Crawford County. Among his awards are State Swim Coach of the Year (1978) and a Sportsmanship, Integrity and Ethics award from the OATCCC. Today, he continues to serve as a swimming official, working numerous events each year.
"Dating Penny" worked out too: He married his high school sweetheart, Penny Germann ('66) and they have three children, John (Carrie), Ryan (Rachel), and Sheri, and four grandchildren. Beyond that Jarvis has hundreds of other "kids," who ran or swam for him, including fellow 2019 inductees Vicki Trapp and Kellie (Dye) Rowland.
Ken Jarvis is a great example of GHS grads who have come home to live and work, and in the process, have given back to the school and the community.
KELLIE (DYE) ROWLAND
CLASS OF 1977
The daughter of Richard and Donna Dye (both GHS 1949), Kellie (Dye) Rowland was very active growing up. "One of the original swimmers" (Lisa Dye) on the Galion Community Swim Club, Kellie swam for fellow 2019 Inductee, Ken Jarvis. A cheerleader in middle school and ninth grade, Kellie became a four-year member of the high school track teams under Linda Gage and Verna Schifer. With encouragement from her father, Kellie tried out for volleyball and basketball as a sophomore, earning all-league honors her senior year. Her success led to an athletic scholarship at Ohio University where she played both sports. A PE elective class opened another door for athletic participation for Kellie: Lacrosse. The instructor, the coach of the women's team, invited Rowland to join the team and Kellie eventually played center.
Following graduation from OU, Kellie took a position in the STARR Commonwealth Schools (1982-85), working to help troubled students get their lives straightened out. While there she helped develop an alternative education program for the Van Wert school system.
In addition to her academic responsibilities, Kellie got into coaching, working with the local YMCA's swim team. In 1985 she took a position in the Springfield Locals school district, teaching the cognitively impaired in a self-contained classroom. While there Rowland was honored as the district's "Teacher of the Year." Beyond her academic duties, Kellie coached cheerleading, basketball and track, and soon, became the JV Volleyball coach, winning nearly 90% of her matches.
A move to Michigan followed in 1989; she became a Resource Room teacher in Lakewood Middle School. While there, the Athletic Director asked her to help with the volleyball program. According to Lisa Dye, "This was the beginning of a very successful teaching and coaching career." And successful she was! Rowland took a program that had never won a district title into one that reached the first of five state finals appearances in 1995. While it may have taken several years to reach the state finals, Rowland's dedication to her classroom was recognized much sooner: In 1995 she received the Ionia County Special Education Award and was named Lakewood's Teacher of the Year. She stepped away from the varsity level coaching in 2003 and moved to the middle school so she could devote more time to her own children's activities. (She did start an AAU program during this time; that team won 3 state titles.) She returned to coaching at the varsity level in 2009.
Rowland became the Lakewood Middle School Assistant Principal/Athletic Director in 2001 and moved to principal in 2014. She has been named the Administrator of the Year in Lakewood (2 times) and the Ionia Special Education Administrator of the Year on two occasions. Under her leadership, Lakewood received the Michigan School Board Association's Award for Excellence for "...enhancing the engagement of students to excel in academics."
When asked about her success, Rowland said: "I had great high school coaches at Galion Senior High, and a father who taught me how to relate to athletes." Rowland further credits Pat Summit's books, lectures, and coaching with instilling in her the belief that "...athletes would never care how much you know until they know how much you care." This philosophy has served her well in sports, in academia, and most importantly, in life.
VICTORIA TRAPP, MSA, JD, DM
CLASS OF 1979
When asked about special memories of Galion, Victoria Trapp noted she has:
So many wonderful Galion memories, though I will never forget our community pride when Harry Beers led our 1978 varsity football team to an undefeated season. Being a part of the experience was something I will never forget. Of note on the way to that perfect season, was the 22-21 win over Bucyrus. The Tigers were behind 10-21 with 1:10 to go in the game and we scored two touchdowns to win. I recall that so many fans left the game early and we had a wonderful time when we arrived back in Galion and announced to everyone at McDonalds (many had left the game early), that we had in fact won the game. From that point on I have lived by the motto, Never Give Up.
A motto my late father also lived by even after he was diagnosed with a terminal illness.
That "Never Give Up" motto has led Trapp to a distinguished and varied career.
Her many accomplishments are wide-ranging and include serving as a Sorority Housemother (which she calls her "most interesting job") and gymnastics instructor while holding a full-time position with an insurance company negotiating injury and litigation claims; working for Nike as Team Sales Operations Manager (North American Sales 1999-2006), Strategic Sales Operations Manager (North American Customer Service 2006-2011), and Global Engagement and Change Director (2011-2017); founding and owning her own company, Business Evolution Consulting LLC; and teaching as an Adjunct Faculty Member at St. Thomas University's, Gus Machado School of Business in Florida (2017-Present) and Portland State University's School of Business (2018-Present).
After graduating from GHS, Trapp went on to earn degrees from The Ohio State University, (BA International Relations), Ohio University (MSA), JD (Capital University Law School), and Doctor of Management and Organizational Leadership (MD University of Phoenix, Arizona). In addition Vicki holds additional certification in Leading Organiza- tional Transitions (Certified Trainer, William Bridges Foundation); Career Management and Budgeting (Harvard Business); Change Management (PROSCI); and Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe).
As busy as she is, Trapp does find "personal time" to explore outside the business and academic worlds. She notes that in her free time, she is working on
Journal articles to be published in a leading leadership publications.
Volunteering at a local high school as a Girl's LAX statistician.
Presenting to Women's organizations in Oregon & Ohio on leadership identity through her LLC Business Evolution Consulting. (Most recently, September 26th to Women's Economic and Leadership Development Organization)
Continuing to learn about Willamette Valley region wines through vineyard tours and tastings (There are approximately 375 vineyards within an hour drive of her home).
Truly, Victoria "Vicki" Trapp has used the Never Give Up motto to push herself to excel.
DR. KYLE D. ZEUCH
CLASS OF 2003
Retired Galion teacher JoAnn Wiggins, who nominated Zeuch, said of him: "He loves music, teaching and sharing his passion with his students and community - you might say, Dr. Zeuch is creating a musical ‘epidemic.'" And he's done it all in just 16 years since leaving GHS.
Music has long been a passion for Dr. Zeuch, In high school he was a member of choir, Showtunes; and marching, jazz and pep bands. Kyle was named Bandsman of the Year and the John Phillip Sousa Award winner. And he participated in solo and ensemble contests. His love of music led him to apply to Capital University where he earned a Bachelor of Music in Music Education in May 2007. He continued his studies at Michigan State University, earning both his Master of Music in May 2013 and his Doctorate in Musical Arts in August 2017.
While in college he was the co-founder and co-director of the Capital Chordsmen Men's chorus, now a permanent part of Capital's music program, for 15 years. Following his college graduation, he worked at Rivera High School, Brownsville, TX (August 2007-July 2011). There he increased the choir from 60 members to 160, created two acappella singing ensembles, and doubled participation at University Interscholastic League solo and ensemble competition. For these, and other accomplishments, he earned the Texas Choral Director's Association's "Distinguished Young Director Award" in 2010.
Zeuch then moved to Michigan where he became a graduate assistant at MSU from August 2011 through May 2013. In this position, Kyle directed or assisted with various musical groups, including the Residential College of Arts and Humanities Acappella Ensemble, the Men's Glee Club, the Chamber Choir, the Women's Glee Club and Novum Voce, all while completing his work toward his Masters and Doctoral Degrees. Beginning in August 2013, Zeuch held the position of Director of Children and Youth Choirs at the Community Music School, Michigan State University. Among his responsibilities were conducting 6 choirs for singers aged 7-18; managing 3 additional choirs which are part of the program; leading fundraising efforts; mentoring undergraduate students working in the program; leading an outreach program at the Boys and Girls Club of Lansing, MI; developing a "Satellite Choir Program" with schools in the Waverly School District; and preparing choirs for performances with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra and the Lansing Symphony Orchestra.
During the 2017-2018 year, Kyle held the position as Conductor of the Olivet College Choir. In this position he was responsible for managing all aspects of the choir, including recruiting participants, leading rehearsals and conducting at performances, etc. He currently serves as the Director of Choral Activities, Assistant Professor of Music at Lebanon Valley College in Annville, PA. His duties there including teaching classes in Music Education and Choral Conducting, conducting 3 choirs, serving as an advisor to undergraduate music majors, recruiting throughout Pennsylvania, and managing all aspects of the choral music program.
The winner of multiple awards, Dr. Zeuch holds memberships in various state and national music education associations and has shared his passion for music as a guest conductor, clinician, presenter, or competition judge. He and his wife Bethany (Heinlen) have a daughter Harper.
Zeuch exemplifies someone who started in Galion and used that foundation to make others' lives better. As Wiggins noted Dr. Kyle Zeuch "...has touched many lives and given his students of all ages the confidence to use their voices."