CITIZEN OF THE YEAR
The Rotary International is a global network of neighbors, friends, leaders, and problem solvers. Since 1961, the Grosse Ile Rotary has selected a “Citizen of the Year” to honor those actively and selflessly involved in worthy community activities that benefit our island home.
This prestigious award was designed with specific goals in mind. First, to encourage active involvement in the community and civic affairs by increasing awareness of the good things people can do that help make Grosse Ile an attractive and inviting place to live. Each year, the Citizen of the Year award honors deserving residents doing impactful work that may otherwise go unnoticed or unmentioned and draws attention to the best role models in our community. Lastly, it reinforces the purpose of the Rotary as a service club with outreach in and beyond Grosse Ile by awarding those that exemplify the motto “Service Above Self”.
Recipients of this award have displayed long term engagement in community activities without any expectation of attention, recognition, or financial gain. They are mentors, coaches, and exemplary role models for our youth.
PAST RECIPIENTS
2023 - Nancy Crysler
2022 - Ronald Morris
2021 - Todd and Linda Cleaver
2020 - William Tilley
2019 - Douglas Cryderman
2018 - Stephen Benton
2017 - Yichia Schmaeman
2016 - Robert Walters
2015 - Karl Moehr
2014 - Edward Kostaroff
2013 - Pamela Frucci
2012 - Ronald Peltier
2011 - Jill Ryan
2010 - Ronald Schmaeman
2009 - Gregory Goyert, MD
2008 - Margarete Hasserodt
2007 - Terese Hunter
2006 - Joseph G. Conners
2005 - Peter Rock
2004 - Bruce Schmidt
2003 - Peter Loso
2002 - June Van Os
2001 - John Repp
2000 - Carlee Atkinson
1999 - Clare Koester
1998 - Dallas Kelsey
1997 - Charles Faust
1996 - Robert Lowler
1995 - Douglas Yardley
1994 - Arthur Koester
1993 - GI Vol. Firefighters
1992 - Leslie Schmidtke
1991 - Eileen Deering
1990 - Susan Norden
1989 - Dr. Bruce Jones
1988 - Keith Langdon
1987 - Josephine Ramage
1986 - Dr. Gilbert Roth
1985 - Pastor Edward Aller
1984 - Dr. John Denman
1983 - Robert Brohl
1982 - Meg Bremer-Jones
1981 - Felix Rotter
1980 - Michael Kopke
1979 - Rosalind Meyer
1978 - Fritz Overesch
1977 - Dewey Henry
1976 - Rev. Richard Milford
1975 - Bill Fleming
1974 - Paul Burchfield
1973 - Grosse Ile Police
1972 - Ken Gape
1971 - Fred Glover
1970 - Merle Soloman
1969 - Marshall Gingrich
1968 - Oscar Phillips
1967 - Joseph Miller
1966 - William Miller
1965 - Mr. & Mrs. Henry Hoch
1964 - Robert Smith
1963 - Edward O/Donnell
1962 - T. Edward Dunlop
1961 - Donald Sanborn
Applications for
Grosse Ile's 2024 Citizen of the Year are open until April 4th.
Citizen of the Year Recipient
After careful selection, the Citizen of the Year recipient will be honored at a Rotary Banquet and serve as Grand Marshall at the annual Grosse Ile Islandfest parade.
Congratulations to Bruce Milkins our 2024 Rotary Citizen of the Year.
Bruce will be honored on Thursday, May 30th at the Grosse Ile Yacht Club. You can purchase tickets to the event here.