Dec 2, 2022 | Inspiration Wall Honorees
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 was an emergency room physician at Mount Vernon, Washington in1975 when he helped resuscitate his father-in-law who had been brought by ambulance. The lesson: Be prepared for all emergencies! In 1986, he had quadruple cardiac bypass himself and was back to work in six weeks being able to practice medicine vigorously for the next 19 years. The lesson: Science Works!
In 1989 he left private practice and spent 15 years in the VA, listening and learning about the vets who suffered from PTSD.
In 2009, Dr. Seward joined six other physicians and caregivers and after 42 townhalls from Oregon to Washington, formed an organization called Mad as Hell Doctors (Madashelldoctors.com). They advocate for health care for all Americans and believe that healthcare is a right, as in all other democracies.
Dec 2, 2022 | Inspiration Wall Honorees
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.
Following UW Medical School graduation in 1987, Dr. Johnson became an obstetrics and gynecology resident at University of Chicago Hospital from 1987 to 1991. He then completed epidemiology training at the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in Atlanta from 1991 to 1993. While at CDC, he performed cervical cancer epidemiological research in Africa. From 1993 until 1996, Dr. Johnson was a gynecologic oncology fellow at University of Minnesota.
In 1996, 18 years after graduating from Berlin High School, Dr. Johnson began his career as a gynecologic oncologist. He eventually became Director of Gynecologic Medicine and Public Health. Dr. Johnson is board certified in obstetrics and gynecology, gynecologic oncology as well as hospice and palliative care. He is a fellow at the American College of Surgeons, the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and the Society of Gynecologic Oncology. He performed the first gynecologic oncology robotic surgery in Wisconsin, and taught robotic surgery throughout the United States.
Dr. Johnson continues to return to his roots on his farm west of Berlin, where he practices regenerative agriculture. Dr. Peter loves to learn and finds new excitement through his farm. “To challenge yourself is to grow, to improve is to change.” He knows that one must step outside their comfort zone because that is where real growth happens.
Dec 20, 2019 | Inspiration Wall Honorees
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 Fire Department and managing his liquor store, Malchetske dedicated a significant amount of time supporting and working for sport programs for the youth, including the Berlin Bulldogs Football and Cheerleading teams and Berlin Basketball. Along with supporting youth programs, Malchetske is a member of the Berlin Athletic Booster’s Club, where he played an integral role in the formation of the Berlin High School Athletic Hall of Fame that began in 2017.
Not only has Malchetske volunteered his time to sport programs, but he has served the community by being a member of the Berlin City Council, Berlin’s Housing Task Force and the Green Lake County Board of Supervisors. He has spent time as a chairman for both the Green Lake County Finance Committee and Green Lake County’s Committee on Aging. By participating on several different committees, Malchetske was named Citizen of the Year by Berlin’s Chamber of Commerce in 2014.
Today, celebrating his 14th work anniversary at Farmer’s & Merchants Bank, Malchetske works as the Chief Investment Officer, where he shares his financial expertise with a number of clubs, organizations and with his church. Currently, he is also participating on the Boys & Girls Club of the Tri-County’s Financial Committee and sits on Berlin’s Library Board.
While Malchetske’s passion is to keep progressing the Berlin community, his top priority is spending time with his wife of 27 years, Elizabeth (Beth) Malchetske and his son, Patrick. By continuing to share his knowledge, his time, and silently donating to many projects and causes, Malchetske’s lifestyle displays his support for his motto:
“If it’s for the kids, do it!! They are our future.”
Dec 20, 2019 | Inspiration Wall Honorees
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 education of Wisconsin’s youth while serving in both of the Wisconsin State Legislature.
The statement “also serves” appears many times in his list of offices and assignments to date. Senator Olsen is not afraid to take a leadership role indicated by the number of “chair” or “co-chair” positions he has held on various Boards, Commissions and Committees.
Senator Olsen’s legislative interests have focused on education, local government, small businesses and children. He is considered one of the most knowledgeable people in the legislature when it comes to the school aid formula and has authored a number of bills making adjustments to the school funding system to better meet the needs of school districts around the state. He has authored laws related to special education, truancy and teacher licensure, among many others. He has advocated for businesses in his district by authoring laws relating to rental units, wineries, mobile homes and tourism. He was the author of the state’s Graduated Driver’s License law, which changed the way teenagers get their driver’s license.
The value the people of Wisconsin and beyond feel for his service is indicated by the number of awards presented to him including several “Legislator of the Year” awards.
His favorite saying: “Livin’ the dream!” indicates how much he enjoys working for the citizens of Wisconsin.
Dec 20, 2019 | Inspiration Wall Honorees
Lucy Smith was born in 1850 in Markesan, WI. She was educated at the Musical Academy in Beaver Dam and the Notre Dame Convent, (now Mount Mary College) in Milwaukee. After teaching school for several years, Lucy married Charles Secor Morris, a young entrepreneur of Berlin.
Lucy Smith Morris achieved many great accomplishments. She was a genius in leadership and successfully brought women together to enrich the quality of their lives, while transforming the worlds of culture and reform.
Lucy recognized the potential power of women’s political influence if they organized statewide. Through her efforts, the Wisconsin Federation of Women’s Clubs was founded in October of 1896. Lucy was elected its first president, and held a lifelong passion for the success of this organization.
Second only to her support for the Women’s Club’s success was her interest in the promotion of libraries. During her tenure as President of WFWC, her club members established over 100 libraries around the State of Wisconsin. She was appointed to the Wisconsin Free Library Commission (later named Wisconsin Library Association) in 1896 by Governor Robert LaFollette, and was one of the first women so appointed. Lucy served as its President for 20 years. For her accomplishments in promoting libraries, Lucy was named to the Wisconsin Library Hall of Fame in 2018.
Locally, Lucy was involved in several projects. She was instrumental in the movement to start a hospital in Berlin, and she and her husband financed the first manual training and domestic science departments of the Berlin High School. She actively participated in the suffrage movement of the day, and entertained national leaders in her home when they visited the area.
In 1998 a Wisconsin Historical Society marker was placed in Nathan Strong Park honoring Lucy’s accomplishments.
Her life stands out as an example of courage, honesty and kindness and the City of Berlin would be poorer without her contributions.
Oct 24, 2018 | Inspiration Wall Honorees
Nominated 2018. Jeanie Walker graduated from Berlin High School in 1960 as valedictorian. She received her BS degree in education from UW-Oshkosh and married Robert Bruce in 1963. She taught in elementary schools in Oshkosh, then in Bozeman, Montana while Robert was in college.
After Robert graduated, they moved to Minnesota and then to the Green Bay area where Jean was a stay-at-home mom and an active volunteer for 13 years. When their youngest child was nearing school age, she began taking courses to become re-certified to teach in Wisconsin. A shortage of teaching jobs, combined with her long-standing interest in health and medicine, led her to take courses in physics, organic chemistry, and genetics in preparation for entrance to medical school. She was accepted into medical school of UW-Madison in 1982.
The family faced a number of challenges in order for Jean to continue her studies. Medical school is difficult enough for a young, single student living in Madison, but especially challenging for a 40-year-old woman with a husband and 3 children living in Green Bay. She persevered and received her MD in 1986.
After completing a family practice residency in 1989, she began considering where to practice. After being gone for 29 years, the Bruces deciding to return to Berlin and Jean went into practice with Dr. Michael Shattuck. After 19 years as a family doctor, she retired in 2008.
Dr. Jean is a dedicated doctor, involved grandmother, activist, and school volunteer who is always willing to lend a helping hand. She is an inspiration to students and to anyone wanting to achieve a particular goal. Jean has shown that with hard work and determination your goals can be accomplished.
Dr. Bruce’s words for the Wall: I am honored to have been nominated and selected to be on the Inspiration Wall. I would like to think I am representing the parents, grandparents, teachers, volunteers, and others who inspire children every day. Being inspired to reach goals is important, but, hopefully, we also inspire children to speak up for what they think is right, to ask questions, to listen, and to consider others and their points of view and their goals as well.
