MHS Hall of Honor - Anyone Missing?

John Baker, Medal of Honor, Viet Nam, the highest honor bestowed on any soldier, awarded only for conspicuous bravery in combat.

MHS Hall of Honor Archives

Hall of Honor - Recipients

	Fritiof Fryxell (Class of 1918) -- An internationally known geologist and former Augustana College professor instrumental in developing Wyoming's Grand Teton National Park. The late Mr. Fryxell mapped the mountains and was the park's first naturalist when it opened in 1929. The Fryxell Museum at Augustana is named in his honor.
	Barbara Garst (Class of 1918) -- A Moline High School teacher from 1924 to 1965 and head of the English department from 1950 to 1965. The late Ms. Garst introduced Shakespearian plays to the high school and community and was the school's first debate and forensics coach. She established the local chapter of the National Honor Society and started the tradition of a senior variety show.
	Clifford L. Peterson (Class of 1937) -- A community and business leader who had an outstanding academic and athletic record at Moline High School. He worked at Deere and Co. more than 40 years, retiring as a senior vice president and director. He served on the boards of several banks and agriculture businesses and devoted many hours to community and public service.
	George N. Kirk (Class of 1939) -- A World War II fighter pilot, war hero and aviation pioneer who received two Distinguished Flying Crosses and other awards during his Navy career. Mr. Kirk was appointed manager of the Quad City Airport in 1954, the first full-time airport employee. He stayed there 29 years, receiving national recognition for his management and leadership achievements in the aviation field.
	Louis Bellson (Class of 1942) -- An internationally known drummer and six-time Grammy nominee. Mr. Bellson also was music director for his late wife, Pearl Bailey. He has written more than 300 compositions, is an author of more than a dozen books on drums and percussion, and has performed on more than 200 albums or CDs, accompanying many musical legends. Mr. Bellson has received three honorary doctorates and several international music awards. He's expected to autograph a new drum set purchased by the school.
	Bonnie Bartlett (Class of 1947) -- An award-winning film, television and stage actress and two-time Emmy winner for Best Supporting Actress on the ``St. Elsewhere'' television series in 1987 and 1988. With more than 50 years of acting to her credit, Ms. Bartlett is known for her many character roles. She most recently appeared on television as Jack Lemmon's wife in ``Tuesdays with Morrie'' and as actress Sela Ward's mother in the ABC drama ``Once and Again.''
	Thomas F. Railsback (Class of 1950) -- A former member of the U.S. House of Representatives and attorney currently practicing in California, specializing in international trade and legislative regulations. After four years in the Illinois General Assembly, Mr. Railsback was elected to the U.S. House, where he served 16 years and was the second-ranking Republican member on the House Judiciary Committee. He has received three honorary doctorates and a juris doctorate from Northwestern University.
	Donald Sundquist (Class of 1953) -- A former member of the U.S. House of Representatives currently serving his second four-year term as governor of Tennessee. After 12 years in Congress, Gov. Sundquist was elected governor in 1994 and re-elected in 1998 with a record 69 percent of the votes cast. Tennessee was the first state to connect every public school and library to the Internet with the governor's ConnectTenn project. He has three doctorate degrees.
	James A. Jamieson (Class of 1961) -- A former PGA golf professional who now works for the John Jacobs Golf School in Scottsdale, Ariz. Mr. Jamieson was a crowd favorite while playing on the tour from 1969 to 1977. In 1972, he won the Western Open and recorded six top-10 finishes. He helped maintain the former Quad City Open, now the John Deere Classic.
	Richard Kauzlarich (Class of 1962) -- Most recently served as U.S. ambassador to Bosnia and Herzegovina, with prior service as ambassador to Azerbaijan from 1994 to 1997. Mr. Kauzlarich's career includes assignments in Togo, Ethiopia and Israel and several positions in public policy and development with the U.S. Secretary of State's office. He has two master's degrees and speaks two languages.
	Stephen Kuberski (Class of 1965) -- A former NBA basketball player with the Milwaukee Bucks and Boston Celtics. A record-setting player at Moline High School and Bradley University, Mr. Kuberski was part of two Boston Celtics championship teams. He has been inducted into the halls of fame for Bradley and the University of Illinois, and was named to the Illinois All-NBA team for the 1960s.
	Robert R. Glendon (Class of 1944) -- Former FBI agent who worked principally in the fields of domestic and foreign counter-intelligence. Glendon is also a noted lecturer on terrorism.
	Marilyn J. Ziffrin (Class of 1944) -- A noted composer, arranger, teacher and writer. Ziffrin's musical credits range from Gershwin and choral programs, to composition throughout the music field.
	Hope Ryden (Class of 1947) -- For over four decades, Ryden has become well-known as a wildlife conservationist, writer, photographer and filmmaker.
	Robert A. VanVooren (Class of 1951) -- Led Moline High School and Marquette University to State and National honors in basketball. Professionally, VanVooren has received high honors for his distinct record as an attorney in Iowa.
	Thomas W. Rogers (Class of 1952) -- Rogers used his amazing mind and personality to amass a large estate, despite the fact he was confined to a wheelchair and paralyzed from the neck down. His philanthropy and concern for nature were recognized when his many admirers built the Pavilion on Sylvan Island in his honor.
	Robert Ontiveros (Class of 1956) -- Combined a great business and civic record in the Quad Cities. He currently owns eight Group O companies, which employ almost 300 people. Ontiveros serves as the chairman of the Mark of the Quad Cities and was also named to the Junior Achievement Hall of Fame.
	In Memoriam -- Judge Dan McNeal (Class of 1916): Respected attorney, honored jurist and military leader, McNeal organized the Illinois 14th Judicial District under the new constitution that set the standards for the current judicial system. He was also the Chief Legal Officer to establish the post-war German judicial system.
	In Memoriam -- Richard (Dick) Sargent (Class of 1929): Known for his more than 40 covers for the Saturday Evening Post and many other commercial art projects, Sargent toured with the USO during the Korean War. He sketched soldiers’ portraits for their families back home.
	Dr. Benedict Zobrist (Class 1939) -- Best known as the director of the Harry S. Truman Presidential Library and Museum, Dr. Zobrist played a major role in opening the most significant papers of President Truman. He also arranged the Truman funeral.
	Dr. Reinhardt Bodenbender (Class 1950) -- Dr. Bodenbender combined two medical careers as a doctor in Moline and as a naval doctor for many years. He is now a national leader for the Paralyzed Veterans of America.
	Maggie Neir Tinsman (Class 1954) -- An outstanding leader in the Iowa State Legislature for more than 15 years, Tinsman has been honored for her many volunteer efforts like American Lung Association, Iowa Peace and Iowa Council of Economic Education.
	Hunt Harris (Class 1967) -- A well-known entrepreneur and philanthropist in the Quad-City area whose generosity has improved education and the quality of life. Harris is a national volunteer for Junior Achievement and the United Way.
	Bob Vogelbaugh (Class of 1959) -- Known affectionately throughout the community as “Mr. Thanksgiving,” Bob Vogelbaugh’s generosity to those in need has been the hallmark of his philanthropic endeavors. He founded the Annual Community Thanksgiving Dinner in 1970 and has maintained this tradition for almost four decades. The Moline American Legion further recognized his “outstanding contributions to the elderly and needy of the community” in 1976. Vogelbaugh continues his dedication to the homeless and less fortunate in our community, as evidenced by a citation of appreciation from the Department of Illinois VFW in 1987, his recognition from the Moline Masonic Lodge in 1991, and the William Booth Award of the Salvation Army presented in 2009.
	G. Scott Thompson (Class of 1972) -- After being named an All-State basketball player for the Moline Maroons in 1972, Scott Thompson’s sports career brought him countless awards and well-deserved recognition. At the University of Iowa, Thompson was Team Captain and Most Valuable Player for the 1976 Hawkeyes. While there, he was named to the All Big-10 Basketball Team, the All Big-10 Academic Team, and earned the NCAA Post-Graduate Scholar Award. In 1976, Thompson was drafted by the Detroit Pistons in Round 4. For the next 23 years, he continued his love for the game as a Division I basketball coach at the University of Notre Dame, the University of Iowa, the University of Arizona, Rice University, Wichita State University, and Cornell University. In 1986, he led the USA men’s basketball team to a World Championship as an assistant coach. In 1991, Thompson was selected Coach of the Year for the Southwest Conference and inducted into the Illinois High School Basketball Hall of Fame in 1993.
	Paul Norton (Class of 1927) -- Born and raised in the Quad-Cities, Paul N. Norton was best known for his artistic contributions, including watercolor paintings of the U.S. Capitol, the Lincoln Memorial, the White House, and the Supreme Court. He was commissioned to paint 18 watercolors of historic American sites and produced countless paintings that captured the Midwestern way of life that is the hallmark of the Quad-Cities. His art has been displayed at museums and galleries in Naples, Florida; Muscatine, Iowa; St. Joseph, Missouri; and Springfield, Illinois, as well as other locations. In addition to paintings, Norton designed two award-winning floats for the Parade of Roses in Pasadena, California, and while working as Art Director for L.W. Ramsey Advertising Agency in Davenport, Iowa, designed logos for both Dairy Queen and Pella Windows.
	Stanley F. Leach (Class of 1953) -- Stan Leach has been a prominent contributor to the Quad-City area for more than 40 years. After graduating from college, Leach returned to his high school alma mater as an art teacher, where he spent his career inspiring generations of MHS students. His dedication to youth extended beyond his teaching career as exhibited by his volunteer work with the Illinois Youth Commission in the late ‘60s, pioneering efforts to form the Moline Optimists Youth Flag Football Program in 1967, co-founding the Moline Young Life program in the ‘70s, work with the Moline Park Board in the ‘80s, and fund-raising endeavors for a new gymnasium at Arrowhead Ranch in 1991. In addition to serving as Mayor of Moline from 1993-2005, Leach also was on the board for the Niabi Zoological Society, Rock Island County Area Projects, Rock Island Animal Shelter, Moline Rotary, Viva Quad Cities, and the QC and John Deere Golf Classics.
	Stephanie Sundine (Class of 1965) -- Stephanie Sundine’s remarkable international career in opera and stage directing began with her early love for musical experiences in the Moline School District. Sundine graduated with honors from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She began her professional opera career in Rochester, New York, and has since performed in principle roles across the globe. She retired from her vocal career in 1995. She continued her stage work as director in more than 30 productions across the United States. Sundine has also shared her talents through private studio coaching, guest teaching at Boston University and Catholic University, as a competition judge, and co-founder of Words for Music, a program providing translated subtitles for performances in other languages.
	Steven Combs (Class of 1959) -- Steve Combs’ lifetime of dedication to the sport of wrestling was rooted in education. Not only did Combs continually promote his own knowledge through college and graduate school, but he changed the face of wrestling on a national level. Combs began his pursuit of education and wrestling at Moline High School, where he was captain of the wrestling team. Although wrestling at Moline didn’t result in much public recognition, his experiences inspired Combs to work harder to achieve his goals. Each year at the University of Iowa, he improved his skill and earned recognition as a collegiate wrestler. Combs placed third in the Big 10 as a sophomore, second as a junior, and finally won the Big 10 Championship in his senior year (1963). That same year Combs placed second in the NCAA National Wrestling Championships, but that didn’t satisfy his passion for the sport. He continued to develop his skills as a Greco and freestyle wrestler and earned the National Freestyle Champion and Outstanding Wrestler Award in 1966. He then claimed a spot on the United States Olympic Freestyle Wrestling Team of 1968. Combs was inducted into the Illinois Wrestling Hall of Fame in 1975 and was named National Wrestling Man of the Year in 1978.

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Jan McIntosh Smith commented on your link:

"The hall of honor at MHS has several people honored at once every few years in the aud. Everyone gets talked about a couple of minutes. My 21 year old son was in grade school when they had the 1st one & he presented a plate from fireworks to Clifford Peterson. The kids made each a plate with their name & accomplishments on it. I was very proud that he was on stage with the only one that had stayed in the QC & made Moline their home. John Baker did not graduate from Moline but did attend was given honor a few summers ago when he was going to be in town. I went & everyone that talked was there for John only. My daughter graduated from Moline in 2004 & son did in 2007 & Johns pic was out near the outside entrance of the auditorium for all to see. The hall of famers were in a case down the hall for the kids to see passing to choir or home ec. or the aud. His sisters still live in the area & I had their phone #s & his address but don't know where it's hiding. If I find it Greg I will get his address to U. I am an MHS65 grad."

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GJ - I am glad that he was honored. That seems like a good compromise.