Hall of Fame
Charles Glen (C. Glenn) Catt graduated from Kalkaska High School in 1944, having played on the baseball team and having been a four-year varsity guard and senior co-captain on the basketball team.
He joined the military after graduation and distinguished himself in the United States Air Force for two years as a B-24 tail-gunner stationed in Panama.
After returning from the military, he established a grocery store business in Gaylord in 1951 that grew into the largest privately owned business north of Lansing when he retired with 14 stores and 700 associates in the Glen's Markets chain in 1988.
Glen created the Glen's Save-Share program, which resulted in sharing over $10 million with non-profit groups and local schools in northern Michigan over a twenty-year period.
He served in various positions on the Otsego County Chamber of Commerce, helped found the Alpine theme for Gaylord, and assisted in creating the Alpine summer festival in Gaylord.
He served on the Board of Directors for Spartan Stores, Inc. (Grand Rapids), serving as President, Chairman, and Vice Chairman during his term, as well as, on the Board of Directors for Oven Fresh Bakery (Grand Rapids), Gaylord State Bank, and the Otsego Memorial Hospital Foundation.
Because of his continuing philanthropy in the Gaylord area, two facilities, the C. Glen Catt Little League Field, and the C. Glen and Barbara Catt pool complex (Gaylord Sportsplex), were dedicated in his honor.
He demonstrated the “American Dream” that anyone, through honest, hard work can build a better life for himself or herself. His generosity spread to many people who credit his “give back” philosophy as making a personal difference in their lives, creating a legacy of financial programs, facilities, and scholarships that continue to provide assistance to many area communities today.
Charles G. "Chuck" Clark served with distinction as a science teacher at Kalkaska High School for thirty-eight years from 1953 until his retirement in 1991.
He was instrumental in organizing the Michigan Science Teachers Association, which greatly improved the teaching of science at all grade levels. He was instrumental in initiating work with the National Science Teachers Association, the National Science Foundation, and the United States Department of Education to get better science teachers at the college level.
Chuck was instrumental in fighting for teacher civil and contractual negotiation rights for Kalkaska teachers.
He initiated the Learn to Ski program at Mount Mancelona, and instituted and served as the first coach for the Kalkaska Varsity Ski Team.
He was honored as Northern Michigan Teacher of the Year and a Kalkaska County Lamplighter.
Chuck introduced Univac II computer applications to Kalkaska High School science classes in the 1960s, when only college graduate students had access to the same applications.
Chuck served with distinction in the Air Force Auxiliary Civil Air Patrol for fifty years, rising to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, and becoming Radef Officer (nuclear radiation monitor) and a Mission Rated Search and Rescue Pilot.
Chuck was selected as a finalist in the Teachers in Space program and witnessed the last successful launch of the Columbia Space Shuttle at Cape Canaveral, Florida.
He was honored by the Kalkaska High School National Honor Society when the chapter was named “The Charles G. Clark Chapter of the National Honor Society”.
Betty (Thorington) Foehl graduated from Kalkaska High School in 1960 as the Valedictorian having been active in 4-H, a junior class leader, a member of the National Honor Society, and an officer in the FTA, FHA, and Bible Club.
Betty Foehl graduated from Grace Hospital of Nursing as a Registered Nurse and valedictorian of her class, and returned to work at Kalkaska Memorial Health Center and for Dr. Richard Hodgman.
She continued her education and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing, graduating Magna Cum Laude in Nursing from the University of Michigan, and worked as School Nurse for the Kalkaska Public Schools with dedication and compassion. She became president of the Michigan Nurses Association.
Betty began her second career as an educator by securing a Master of Arts degree in Counseling and a Teaching Certificate at Central Michigan University. Armed with those credentials she taught in the Title One program before being selected to serve as School Health Coordinator and Coordinator of Drug Free Schools and sponsor of the “Teens Against Tobacco Use” program. She was presented with the Lamplighter Award for educators in 1996.
Betty’s third career was linked to nursing as she served in the Michigan National Guard for twenty-four years, becoming the first female Full Colonel, the highest-ranking nurse in the history of the Guard. Her military honors included the federal Legion of Merit, recognition granted by signature of the Secretary of the Army.
Betty Foehl has served her church as organist and choir member, and was active in the children’s Awana program. She has been a loving, caring, selfless servant to others throughout her life.
Gene McLean graduated from Kalkaska High School in 1960 after playing football for two years and being All-Conference in basketball for two years, and Doris (Morris) McLean graduated from Kalkaska High School in 1961 after being a cheerleader and member of the National Honor Society.
Gene McLean worked for Glen Catt and became the youngest manager at the Kalkaska Glen's Market.
Gene and Doris McLean began their own business, which soon became McLean's Hardware, on October 1, 1967, eventually adding stores in Grayling (1984) and Manton (1987).
Over the last four decades Gene and Doris McLean have provided much needed business and home services to the Kalkaska community by enlarging their hardware store space, expanding a residential and contractor tool rental business, adding a much-needed lumber yard, building 48 quality family apartments in a six-unit complex to meet growing housing needs, and creating multiple storage units, to mention just some of their business ventures.
Pro Hardware has recognized the exceptional quality of their business, by naming McLean’s Hardware as the National Pro Hardware Retail Store of the Year in 1972 and again in 1984.
McLean's Hardware has celebrated over 40 years of business in Kalkaska, and was named Kalkaska County Business of the Year for 2009 by the Kalkaska Chamber of Commerce.
Gene and Doris McLean have provided meaningful employment for over 100 Kalkaska High School students, including all of their own children, who have continued to work for the family business as adults.
Gene and Doris McLean have given back to the community by consistently supporting the youth of Kalkaska County as sponsors of Little League Baseball, youth soccer, as sponsors of golf outing fundraisers for basketball, band, and competitive cheer, as well as numerous school and community programs, and as active participants in the Kalkaska Sports Boosters Concession stands.
Ronald Winter graduated from Kalkaska High School in 1964 as a member of the National Honor Society and commencement speaker, earning ten varsity letters in four high school sports: football, basketball, baseball, and track, and serving as Varsity Club President.
He attended Michigan State University where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree and was the first recipient of a Masters in Intramural Administration.
As a lacrosse team member Ron played RW while at Michigan State, earning All-Midwest Lacrosse League honors in 1968 and 1969.
After graduation he served as Director of Campus Recreational Activities from 1969 to 1996 and as an Associate Professor from 1981 to 2008 at Western Michigan University. While serving as Director of Campus Recreational Activities, Ron was instrumental in expanding campus recreational activities programs to include women's and coed activities, and initiated a building project to construct a $22 million student recreation center that was completed in 1992.
Ron served as a Big Ten Football Official for 19 years, a Big Ten Basketball Official for 12 years, officiated two Division III National Basketball Championships, seven Division I Bowl assignments, including the 1985 Rose Bowl, and the 1991 and 1995 Orange Bowl National Championship games, and has served as a National Football League Official for 14 years. He has served as President of the Big Ten Football Officials Association and served as a clinician at the State, Regional, and National officiating levels.
Ron has served the Kalamazoo community where he has lived as a public school volunteer, Kalamazoo Central athletic booster club member, coordinator of the Kalamazoo Central baseball field renovation, Westwood Little League volunteer and coach, and Golf Association of Michigan course rater.