Inspiration Wall Honorees

Richard Claire Beaman

Posted by on Dec 2, 2022 in Inspiration Wall Honorees | 0 comments

Dick, as he was known, grew up on a dairy farm near Berlin. After graduation from Berlin High School, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy becoming a radar technician, based on his high aptitude in math and science, thanks to his well-rounded education at Berlin High School. He was stationed on the USS Coasters Harbor (AG 77) a support ship, in the Pacific Theater at the end of WWII. After discharge from the Navy, he enrolled in Ripon College and then transferred to U.W. Madison where he finished his BS in Mechanical Engineering. He graduated Cum Laude with membership in Tau Beta Pi, an honorary...

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James Gurkowski

Posted by on Dec 2, 2022 in Inspiration Wall Honorees | 0 comments

Jim Gurkowski, a life-long resident of Berlin and a 1968 graduate of Berlin High School, has devoted many hours to the Berlin sportsmen’s community. Trapshooting – and giving back to the sport through volunteer work – has been a true passion for Jim. It began at the Berlin Conservation Club, where he has served a number of years on the Board of Directors. He was a Hunter Education instructor for the youth of Berlin and surrounding communities, helping them learn the proper and safe way to handle guns while out in the woods or fields hunting. He served as tournament director of the annual...

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Robert L. Seward M.D.

Posted by on Dec 2, 2022 in Inspiration Wall Honorees | 0 comments

A member of the 1957 Berlin High School class, Robert L. Seward, M.D. graduated from the University of Wisconsin Medical School in 1966 and has been a certified American Board Internal medicine member since 1978. He is the son of Dr. Lynn and Gladys Seward, and has a sister, Janet Jaecks. He is the lucky and proud dad to three wonderful children, Kristy Kottkey, Matt Seward, and Lori Campbell and has 4 grandsons, Andre, Henry, Sonni and Gus. Robert learned numerous lessons from his father whose message to him was, If you see wrongs, you must stand up, speak out and take action. Dr. Seward...

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Dr. Peter Johnson

Posted by on Dec 2, 2022 in Inspiration Wall Honorees | 0 comments

Peter Johnson graduated from Berlin High School in 1978. He considered becoming a carpenter after high school, but was persuaded by his family physician to become a medical doctor. Johnson, however, didn’t think he was smart enough. With encouragement from both parents he entered UW-Oshkosh. There he took lots of pre-med courses but initially struggled, given his lack of study skills. He ultimately did well, graduated in 1982 and applied to medical school….and wasn’t accepted. He enrolled at UW-Madison, got great grades and was ultimately accepted into both Wisconsin medical schools....

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Robert (Bob) Malchetske

Posted by on Dec 20, 2019 in Inspiration Wall Honorees | 0 comments

Bob Malchetske, a lifelong resident of Berlin, has devoted many hours to better and make a difference in the Berlin community. For this dedication, he is a 2019 Honoree for the ‘Be Proud, Be Inspired’ Inspiration Wall. Malchetske’s participation in the Berlin community began in 1976 when he and his brother, Tom, opened Malchetske’s Liquor Store. Bob was only 17 at the time! Together they ran the store for 28 years. At the same time, Bob was also an active member of Berlin’s Fire Department to 1989 when his service as a fire fighter ended due to an injury. Following his time on the Berlin...

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Luther S. Olsen

Posted by on Dec 20, 2019 in Inspiration Wall Honorees | 0 comments

Luther S. Olsen was born in Berlin in 1951. He graduated from Berlin High School in 1969 and earned his Bachelor of Science Degree from University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1973. He completed the Wisconsin Rural Leadership Program Group IV in1990-1992. Senator Olsen was elected to the Wisconsin State Senate in 2004, after serving in the Wisconsin State Assembly for 10 years. He started his public service career as member of the Berlin Area School Board from 1976 to 1997, including holding the office of President of the Board from 1986 to 1995. This position gave him his dedication to the...

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