Dick Fry, Dan Maher, Sue & Mike Hinz, and Col. Bob & Miriam Rehwaldt: Pullman Walk of Fame 2017

Photos: Dick Fry wearing sweater with Cougar logo. Dan Maher with guitar. Sue Hinz with cotton candy and Mike Hinz with certificate. Miriam and Bob Rehwaldt.

Pullman Walk of Fame enshrinement for Class of 2017 members began at 10 o’clock Saturday morning, Aug. 19, 2017, in front of Sam Dial Jewelers on Main Street in downtown Pullman.

By Pat Caraher
for WSURA (WSU Retirees Association) Newsletter with editing by Pullman :: Cup of the Palouse blog.

They all came to Pullman, liked it and stayed. 

Because of their presence and service the community and Washington State University are better. Dick Fry, Dan Maher, Sue and Mike Hinz, and Col. Bob and Miriam Rehwaldt are the 2017 Pullman’s Walk of Fame inductees. They bring to 105 the number of names engraved in granite squares on downtown Pullman sidewalks.

Created in 2003 by the Chamber of Commerce, the walk “publicly recognizes individuals who have served the community in a significant way, promoted goodwill and improved the quality of life, or brought acclaim to the area through their contributions to society.”

Perhaps honoree Sue Hinz said it best: “This (Pullman) is absolutely the place to raise a family, a place to learn and feel good about yourself. The university, the schools, the hospital can’t be beat.”

Here a list of newest inductees alphabetically and by classification:

Richard B. (Dick) Fry – Famous Sports Figure 

Dick Fry’s career at WSU spanned 33 years – including 13 as Sports Information Director (1957-1970) and 15 as Director of News and Information Services (1970-1985). In those capacities he earned WSU hundreds of column inches in newspapers, hours of radio time and thousands of visual images on television. 

What many view as Fry greatest single contribution to WSU followed his retirement. The university asked him to author a book on Cougar athletics for its centennial year celebration (1989-1990). “I was a little overwhelmed…and honored,” he said. Fry spent three year researching and writing The Crimson and the Gray – 100 Years with the Cougars. More than a statistical summary, the 368-page illustrated volume is filled with stories of Cougar athletes he knew personally. And the “Who’s Who” of coaching legends he worked with -- Buck Bailey, Jack Friel, Ike Deeter, Jack Mooberry, Mary Harshman, Jud Heathcote, Bobo Brayton and John Chaplin. “Every one of them had a great story,” said Fry. His research included nearly 100 interviews, most of them face-to-face.

The Oroville, Calif., native graduated from San Jose State (Journalism 1944). The bulk of his military career was spent in China as air traffic control with the U.S. Army Air Corps in the China-Burma-India Theatre. After the war he worked in San Francisco for United Press -- which later became United Press International (UPI) -- in San Francisco, Reno and finally as Capitol Bureau manager in Olympia. Fry, 94, is a Rotarian, former secretary of Neill Public Library board and member of WSU’s Athletic Hall of Fame. 

Dan Maher – Distinguished Member of the WSU Community 

Dan Maher continues to provide a positive influence for thousands of WSU students as Coordinator of Student Involvement and Leadership. 

“What students need most is someone who cares about them… is in touch with them… an advisor they can rely on to listen…,” Maher once told WSU Daily Evergreen reporter Maia Gabreil. “Every person we meet is different. We need to rejoice in the differences. As different as we are, we’re still the same. We’re people.” 

Maher came to Pullman from Spokane in 1971. After completed his degree (1978 English), he joined the WSU staff in 1980. In his current position he works with a long and varied list of student groups and committees: ASWSU Senate, Environmental Sustainability Alliance, Gender and Sexual Alliance, Native American Awareness, Student Legal Services, KZUU student radio station, International Student Council and Student Veterans.

Maher has brought wide recognition to WSU, Pullman and beyond. Since the early 80s, he has been producer, editor, engineer and host of Inland Folk. The syndicated Northwest Public Radio show, now in its 35th year, features music and songs from local, regional, national and international folk artists. He’s a celebrated folk singer/writer and guitarist in his own right.  

Blind since birth Maher hopes to someday write a book about people who successfully cope with their disabilities and bring a positive attitude to their daily life.

Mike and Sue Hinz – Distinguished Residents 

Since Mike Hinz took over the coaching reins in 1993 Pullman High School track and field teams have captured six state titles, three each by the boys and girls. Twice he’s been Washington State Coach of the Year in his sport. In 2010 he was added to Washington State Track and Field Hall of Fame. 

“He’s doing what he loves to do – coach kids,” says his wife Sue. “Students know he’s there for them. He’s patient. He’s well thought of and respected by his peers.” His coaching philosophy applies to life as well. “It’s not about how good you are,” he says. “It’s about where you start and where you finish. The competition is within yourself.”

The longtime Scientific Instructional Technical Supervisor in WSU’s chemistry department retired in 2003. He now is a volunteer driver for COAST. The non-profit service provides the homebound and elderly transportation to medical appointments as far away as Spokane. 

The Hinzes arrived in Pullman from Yakima. Sue is a 1970 WSU Communications/Education grad. Mike’s education was interrupted by four years in the Marines, including two in Vietnam. His degrees are Agriculture and Business.

Sue has an extensive resume in writing/editing, teaching and volunteer service. She started her professional career at the Pullman Herald. WSU hired her away in 1973. That was the start of a 27-year runs as editor of WSU Week, the university’s publication for faculty and staff. Before she was finished she served as WSU New and Information Services interim director.

Sue has never been one to say “No.” Her community involvement included Pullman City Council, as well as president of the Pullman Education Foundation and Pullman Chamber of Commerce. Working with former Chamber Director George Sharp, “was like getting aboard a fast moving train…ideas, ideas,” she said. “Being around business people was a great experience.” 

She’s also been a volunteer with the Pullman Regional Hospital Foundation, Gladish Community and Cultural Center, Pullman High Greyhound Boosters Club, Pullman’s Distinguished Woman of the Year program, WSU Alpha Omicron Pi sorority advisor, and as the cotton candy queen at Pullman’s Fourth of July celebration.

Mike has officiated area prep football games since 1976. He and Sue are members of the sideline crew at Cougar home football games, and officiate at WSU track meets. Both have been key movers with the highly successful Comets, a summer track and field club for participants of all ages. At the peak of her competitive days, Sue exceeded 100 feet in the hammer throw, best in her age group (40-44). She added a national title in the shot put in 2008. “She the only athlete I’ve ever coached who has been a national champion,” Mike says proudly.

Col. Bob and Miriam Rehwaldt – Distinguished Residents 

Colonel Bob Rehwaldt distinguished himself over 33 years in Marines Corps, Navy and Air Force. He enlisted in the Marines out of high school in Hartford, Wisconsin. After graduating from the U.S. Naval Academy, he transitioned to the Air Force so he could fly. Bob completed 50 bombing missions over Korea in B-29s, flew cargo planes in Vietnam and piloted nuclear-armed B-47s and B-50s for the Strategic Air Command. His final assignment was Professor of Aerospace Studies at WSU (1974-1978). He stayed on at WSU for 14 years as Director of Safety, overseeing Police and Fire Departments, Environmental Service and Parking. “I had good people and respected them all,” he said.

Bob and his wife Miriam, of Camden, Alabama, were married in June 1964 at Biggs Air Force Base, El Paso, Texas. Miriam was teaching elementary school. That union produced six sons and a daughter. The eldest, Rob, followed in his father’s footsteps as a career Air Force pilot. He was a commercial pilot before heart failure cut his life short.

“We decide Pullman was a great place to retire,” Bob said.

"Everything was close by. The people were friendly. The kids liked the schools and they didn’t want to leave.”

Special to Bob was his work as a volunteer chaplain with the Pullman Police Department. In 1997 he and Bob Howell co-founded the Volunteer Chaplains Program at Pullman Regional Hospital (PRH). The non-denominational team includes eight volunteers, including two ordained deacons. They rotate on a weekly basis, visiting patients on daily rounds and are “on call” Monday through Sunday.

“I saw those in the hospital need inspiration to get healed and go home,” Bob said. “The Lord gives that inspiration.” He was “the face” of the PRH chaplains program for 18 years. In 2013 the hospital honored his as PRH Volunteer of the Year. Bob, 90, is a longtime member of Kiwanis and the American Legion. 

Miriam’s volunteer service parallels her husband’s. She started out as a Pink Lady at the old Pullman hospital and continues as a front desk receptionist and greeter at PRH.

...
Below is reproduction of part of article (starts on page 1, jumps to page 2) from Aug. 17, 2017, Whitman County (Colfax) Gazette weekly newspaper:

.........
Pullman to honor Walk of  Famers

Whitman County (Colfax) Gazette Aug 17, 2017, print edition

Inductees to the Pullman Walk of Fame will be honored during the 29th annual National Lentil Festival at 10 a.m. Saturday at the corner of Kamiaken and Main streets.

The Walk of Fame was established in 2003 to honor individuals who have served the Pullman community in a significant way, promoted goodwill, improved the quality of life for Pullman residents or brought acclaim to the area through their contributions. This year’s inductees bring the number of commemorative granite plaques to 105.

Each plaque has the names of these individuals inscribed and has been installed in the sidewalks of downtown Pullman. Brochures listing all inductees are available at the Pullman Chamber of Commerce office. Donations are always accepted for the Walk of Fame program.

This year’s inductees include Dan Maher, host of the “Inland Folk” public radio show for more than 30 years; Richard (Dick) Fry, former WSU sports information director and historian; Mike and Sue Hinz, strong supporters for Pullman’s Fourth of July celebration to track and field at Pullman High School, and Lt. Col. Robert and Miriam Rehwaldt, volunteers for many organizations.