Lifetime Achievement Members
Our club’s mission is to support and improve the lives of youth in the Green Bay community. There are some club members who go above the call of duty, volunteering thousands of hours over a lifetime of membership. It is an honor to recognize both present, and past members who have, and continue to be, exemplary models of what the Optimist Club stands for.
2022 Award Winners
RALPH ENGEBOS
Years Active: 1947 - 2018
Ralph Engebos was one of the founding members of our club. He served as Entertainment Chair from 1954 - 1955, District Convention Chair from 1961 - 1962 and was recognized in 1961 for his long-term continuous service to club since it's founding. Ralph hosted the famous Stag Parties at his cottage from 1953 - 1970. He remained a member until his passing in 1981.
EVAN JAMES
Years Active: 1947 - 1998
Evan James was one of our charter members. He served on the Board of Governors in 1950 - 1951, was Attendance Chair from 1951 - 1952, President from 1952 - 1953, Program chair from 1954 - 1955. From 1954 - 1955, Evan had perfect meeting attendance. He was on the Membership & Finance Committee in 1955 and was Auction Chair in 1957. Evan was very involved with the Boy Scouts and recieved the Silver Beaver award for devoted service and contributions to Boy Scout Programs in Green Bay.
RICHARD GOLLNICK
Years Active: 1980 - 2019
Richard (Dick) joined the Optimist Club in 1980. Over the next 39 years, Dick demonstrated his commitment to the Optimist Club and the youth it serves. He volunteered his time and energy to club activities and providing leadership at various levels. Continue Reading
ROBERT MALLON
Years Active: 1949 - 1953, 1969 - 2005
Robert Mallon was a dedicated club member for 53 years, contributing his time, leadership, and passion across numerous roles. His relationship with the Optimist Club began in 1949 with the Quest of Dr. Art Duperrault. Continue Reading
KEN MICKLE
Years Active: 1954 - 2019
Ken Mickle was a devoted member and dedicated an extraordinary 65 years of service to our organization. Ken joined the club on April 1, 1954 and quickly became involved, serving on the Boys Work Committee during 1954–1955 and again in 1956–1957… Continue Reading
KEN NOCKERTS
Years Active: 1947 - 2004
Ken Nockerts was a proud charter Optimist Club member whose lifelong roots in Green Bay shaped his enduring commitment to community service. Born and raised in the city, Ken graduated from East High School before continuing on to Marquette University. His leadership within the Club began early, … Continue Reading
WALT RADOWSKI
Years Active: 1947 - 2017
Walt Radowski was a devoted charter member whose nearly 70 years of continuous service left an extraordinary legacy within our Optimist Club. Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, Walt held numerous leadership and volunteer roles… Continue Reading
JOE SCHIEGG
Years Active: 1981 - Present
Joe joined the Club in 1981 and has been the ultimate role model of what an Optimist member should be since then. Joe served on the Board of Directors from 1982 to 1983 and again from 1985 to 1986, was Vice President of 1987 to 1989, and was President from 1989 to 1990. Continue Reading
NEAL VAN ESS
Years Active: 1970s - Present
Neal Van Ess has been very active in the Optimist Club since the 1970’s. Since then, Neal has utilized his background and other skills to improve the Optimist Club in various capacities. Since the 1970’s, Neal has served as President, Vice President, Director, Bulletin Writer, and Treasurer. Continue Reading
WALTER ZAHN
Years Active: 1947 - 1967
Walter Zahn, a dedicated Charter Member of the Optimist Club of Green Bay, was born in 1914 in Gillett, Wisconsin. He attended grade school and high school in Gillett and Shawano before graduating from La Crosse State… Continue Reading
2021 Award Winners
DAVE CREVCOURE
Years Active: 2001 - 2023
As commissioner of the girls softball league for 16 years (2004-2020), Dave Crevcoure chartered a new era for Green Bay’s East side softball program.
Through his guidance, and as a huge supporter of the youth softball program, he built the East side program from only a few teams during the early years, to one of the largest youth softball programs in the area today. Continue Reading
KEN LINDEMANN
Years Active: 1969 - 2021
DAN MADIGAN
Years Active: 1986 - Present
The motto for the Optimist Club is “a friend of youth” and since joining the club in 1986, there has been no bigger friend than Dan Madigan. Dan personifies the motto by giving his time and energy for over 3 decades to the youth baseball programs.
Shortly after joining the Club, Dan made the commitment to oversee the youth baseball program as League Commissioner. During those early years, the Commissioner was responsible for everything including fundraising, scheduling coaches & umpires, and ordering equipment & concession stand items. Continue Reading