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New Ulm Area Catholic Schools Hall of Fame luncheon Sept. 29

NEW ULM — New Ulm Area Catholic Schools will induct five members into the 2018 Hall of Fame. A luncheon will be held on Saturday, Sept. 29, at the New Ulm Country Club to honor the newest members. Tickets are $20 and must be purchased in advance, no later than Sept. 24. Tickets can be purchased online at www.nuacs.com, or by contacting Brent Boston at brent.boston@nuacs.com or 507-233-0700.

Each year, candidates who have been nominated by fellow alumni, classmates, co-workers, and friends are evaluated by a committee. Alumni and friends of NUACS can be nominated for four different categories which include: “Distinguished Athletics” for their high athletic achievement while at Cathedral High School, “Distinguished Achievement” for having outstanding professional honor and recognition while making a positive impact on his/her community, “Humanitarian” for demonstrating exceptional personal courage and having faith and actions that serve as an inspiration to others, and “Distinguished Service” for strengthening the programs of NUACS, as well as the greater community, through service.

Distinguished Achievement – Chuck Reinhart (’69)

Chuck Reinhart is the Chief Financial Officer at Allied Vaughn. Allied Vaughn is a digital asset company, providing industry-leading archival expertise and asset management skills that help their clients build, streamline, and protect their digital assets.

Chuck is a 1969 graduate of Cathedral High School, and a 1975 graduate of Mankato State University. He became a Certified Public Accountant in 1977. Chuck started his professional career as a CPA at Touche Ross & Company. He went on to work at Donaldson Company and has spent the last 35 years as the CFO at Allied Vaughn.

Chuck and his wife, Cindy (Walter) – also a ’69 CHS grad, have been active members of Risen Savior Catholic Church in Burnsville since 1977. Chuck has been active at Risen Savior in administration, finance, fundraising, as well as the Building and Grounds Commission. In addition, Chuck was involved in the Valley Athletic Association as a coach and assistant commissioner. Chuck and Cindy are long-time contributors to the NUACS Fr. Alexander Berghold Annual Appeal. They have also donated to Snowfest and the Metro Golf Tournament each year.

Chuck and Cindy reside in Apple Valley. They have two daughters and sons-in-law – Amanda and her husband Brian Rude, and Angela and her husband Josh Salzman – and two granddaughters, Lila and Nora Salzman.

Distinguished

Service – Rick (’64) and MaryLee (Kunz ’63) Schnobrich

In 2009, Rick and MaryLee Schnobrich approached NUACS about organizing a golf event in the Twin Cities for CHS metro alumni. They knew of the success of the Cathedral Golf Classic and participated in many other golf events, and thought a Metro event could really help get metro alumni involved in NUACS. The event started small, with Rick and MaryLee personally recruiting many of the golfers. With their many connections, they decided to add an auction to the event as well.

The event has changed location and grown over the years, but Rick and MaryLee’s dedication to the success of the tournament has not changed. A year out from the event, Rick is already working hard with the venue to get the date scheduled and high-level details finalized. He works year round to solicit items for the silent and live auction, always impressing those in attendance. Rick and MaryLee secure about 50 “must-have” items for the auction including getaway packages to northern Minnesota resorts, tickets to the hottest sporting events, golf packages, gift cards for the most popular restaurants, and much more! Golfers are always amazed at the large selection of items. In the early years of the tournament, Rick and MaryLee worked tirelessly to make sure every detail of the event was perfect – creating flyers, auction item placards, and bid sheets, and working with the venue on the perfect dinner. Rick and MaryLee are always ready to work on the day of the tournament, arriving early, helping with set-up, and greeting golfers with a smile and often a hug!

Rick and MaryLee have continued to personally recruit personal friends and family to golf in the event each year. The event has grown to over 80 golfers and has consistently raised over $10,000 annually to support activities at NUACS. Knowing Rick and MaryLee’s dedication to the event, many friends and colleagues have reached out to donate as well. In its nine years of existence, the Metro Golf Tournament has raised over $85,000.

In addition to the golf tournament, Rick is the key figure in the gathering of the CHS 1964 State Baseball Championship team every five years, with the next reunion happening in 2019. Rick and MaryLee are long-time contributors to the NUACS Fr. Alexander Berghold Annual Appeal. Both Rick and MaryLee’s parents were avid supporters of NUACS and were significant donors of both time and treasure over the years.

Rick and MaryLee are members of St. Bartholomew Catholic Church in Wayzata and St. Columbkille in Ft. Myers, FL. MaryLee is a hospice volunteer, and Rick is a member of the Knights of Columbus. In their retirement, the Schnobrichs enjoy golf, fishing, travel, the outdoors, and gatherings with friends and family. They love spending time with their five children and families including fourteen grandchildren, all located in the Twin Cities area.

The Schnobrichs long-time commitment to NUACS and unwavering enthusiasm for the Metro Golf Tournament are truly remarkable and an inspiration to many.

Humanitarian –

Patricia (Palmer ’75) Heinz

Patricia (Palmer) Heinz earned her bachelor’s degree in special education from St. Cloud Teacher’s College and then followed her adventurous spirit to take a teaching position with a Department of Defense Dependents School in Germany. Her focus was in special education and children on the autism spectrum. She was able to empathize with these students and their struggles, offering parents hope and reassurance within realistic parameters.

Patricia was hired in 1997 to teach special education in the Lewis-Palmer School District. With energy, intelligence, and determination, Pat went on to pioneer special education practices designed to meet the unique needs of children with autism, especially those with moderate needs. She was described as “exceptionally adept at assessing students’ needs and marshalling resources to meet those needs.” She enjoyed immense success preparing these students to earn a living, establish relationships, and work collaboratively with others.

In 1999, Pat earned a master’s degree from University of Colorado in Colorado Springs. As she advanced in her career, she continued to strongly believe that everyone in the community would benefit from learning more about children on the autism spectrum. She believed that integrating these students into same-age classrooms would enrich both their lives and the lives of their peers. At Prairie Winds Elementary School, Pat let the design and implementation of an integrated pre-school autism program.

Pat’s classroom was always regarded as a dynamic place where she was not only a teacher of children but also a teacher of teachers – helping all educators to better serve children struggling with disabilities. She balanced the perfect blend of academics and life skills, with expectations that were high while at the same time appropriate and achievable. Many former students fondly recall her cooking classes where students invited their friends to her room to eat, horseback riding, bowling, ice skating, swimming, and shopping – all specially planned so that her students would learn to interact with others and behave appropriately in public. Pat truly lit up the world and gave so much to the lives of so many.

Patricia Palmer met Pete Heinz on an orientation military flight. Their first date was on Valentine’s Day, and they went on to marry in June 1985. Pat courageously fought cancer until she passed away in November 2008. Pat and Pete had three children together – Josef, Laura, and Brandon. Patricia is the daughter of the late Donald Palmer and Joanne Palmer Wolf of New Ulm. 

Distinguished

Athletics – Ben

Wolf (’08)

Ben Wolf was a ten-time letter winner at Cathedral High School.

On the baseball field, Wolf was a three-time All-Conference selection. Wolf had 88 career hits, a career .349 batting average, 13 doubles, 26 stolen bases, 94 runs scored, and 43 RBIs.  The CHS baseball team won the conference championship in both 2004 and 2005, the section championship in 2005 and 2008, and the state consolation championship in 2008. In 2005, Ben was a part of the State Class A championship winning team!

Wolf’s football stats also impress. He was an All-Conference selection in 2007. Wolf was part of the 2006 section championship and state runner-up team. Wolf had 57 solo tackles, 230 tackle assists, 8 interceptions, 1 sack, and 17 receptions totaling 449 yards.

Wolf was also an Honorable Mention All-Conference selection in basketball in 2008. His basketball stats include 460 points, 389 rebounds, 251 steals, 149 assists, and 31 blocks.

Wolf was selected as the 2008 New Ulm Club Male Athlete of the Year. He went on to play baseball at Minnesota State University – Mankato. Wolf currently works for Minnesota Energy Resources as an engineer responsible for Southeast Minnesota. He is also a volunteer firefighter for the city of Stewartville. He continues to play amateur baseball for the Hanska Lakers.

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