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Citizen(s) of the Year

Chamber of Commerce’s “Citizen(s) of the Year” (1965 – 1986)

In February 1965, during their annual dinner, the Dansville Chamber of Commerce initiated their yearly “Citizen of the Year” award, honoring a Dansville resident who, over the years, had shown and demonstrated ample community interest. Two such citizens were singled out in 1965: Dr. Robert J. Maichle, local physician for 39 years, and former hospital chief of staff; and Robert A. Gray, local NYSE&G official, who led the village’s first Community Chest fund drive back in 1942. The “Citizen of the Year” award would be given out every year from 1965 to 1986.

Citizens of the Year, 1965 – 1986

  1. 1965

    Dr. Robert J. Maichle

    Robert A. Gray

  2. 1966

    Claire C. Bateman, Auto dealer who helped to organize the Community Chest and the Rotary Club

    Dr. Simon King, local physician from 1920 to 1959

    Jerry Rauber oversaw the formation of a Dansville branch of the Junior Chamber of Commerce–the Jaycees

  3. 1967

    William D. Conklin, F.A. Owen retiree, active civic leader and local history writer

  4. 1968

    Leon Schwendler, banker

  5. 1969

    Margaret E. Hondelink, Dansville music teacher from 1935 to 1965

  6. 1970

    James J. Blum, long-time president of the Blum Shoe Manufacturing Company and president of the Hospital Board

  7. 1971

    Mrs. Albert “Bessie” Maloney, active in the Red Cross, the Hospital Board, and the Women’s Civic Club

  8. 1972

    E. Stanley Copeland Jr., retired president of Instructor Publications

  9. 1973

    William J. Huver, the first person so recognized posthumously. Scoutmaster of BSA Troop 73 for at least 20 years

    Charles T. McLane, WWII veteran, Blum Shoe Mfg. Co. employee, and civic leader. Earned Eagle Scout with BSA Troop 38 in 1927 and later became Scoutmaster of Troop 38 before and after serving his country in the military.

  10. 1974

    Ralph E. Fox. Plant manager of the local Coca-Cola distributorship, He was active in the United Fund, the Rotary Club, the Dogwood Festival, and the Cub Scouts

  11. 1975
  12. 1976

    Francis R. Henty, local contractor who, as president of the Hospital Board, oversaw the planning and building of Noyes Memorial Hospital

  13. 1977

    Leroy and Roxie Moyer

  14. 1978

    Robert F. Hart, during his 12th term as North Dansville Town Supervisor

  15. 1979

    Jerry Richmond (son of K.G. Richmond), past president of the Chamber of Commerce and the United Fund, and current president of Bradner House Inc.

    Wilfred J. Rauber, the former post office employee who, in his 30 years as Village and Town Historian, did more than anyone since A.O. Bunnell to awaken Dansvillians to their eventful heritage

  16. 1980

    Norman Seiple, former F.A. Owen sales manager

  17. 1981

    Barry O. Haywood, High school music director, Dogwood Festival chairman and later Mayor

  18. 1982

    Jon Shay, for his work with the hospital and the Dogwood Festival

  19. 1983

    William C. Packard of Dansville Chrysler-Plymouth, an active member of the American Legion, the VFW, and the Hospital Board

  20. 1984

    Jean DeLong, served as president of both the Women’s Civic Club and the Hospital Auxiliary

  21. 1985

    Joseph G. “Jerry” Rauber, the son of Wilfred J. Rauber and the originator of the Dogwood Festival and the Oktoberfest

  22. 1986

    Rev. Christopher Thomforde, departing St. Paul’s pastor who had been such since 1978