Lancaster High School's Distinguished Hall of Fame
The LHS Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame, which currently includes 80 inductees, was created in 1992 and the most recent honorees were inducted in 2023. Among other accolades and professions, the inductees include two CEO’s of major American corporations, four outstanding and nationally recognized physicians, a former Congressman, a nationally recognized physicist in the field of plasma physics, and the designer of the current American flag.
It is the purpose of the Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame to recognize such individuals who have, through their performance, conduct and achievement brought credit and honor to themselves and Lancaster High School. Their public example will hopefully serve to inspire future graduates to perform and serve in the same spirit.
If you wish to nominate a LHS alumni to the Hall of Fame, Click here.
Lancaster High School Class of 1959 is well represented in the Distinguished Hall of Fame. To read more about this outstanding class, please follow this link to the website
Lancaster High School Class of 1959
Lafayette "Hack" Abbott, Class of 1914
First college football All-American
from Lancaster High School
Played football at Syracuse University
Christa Elaine Adams, Class of 1959
Outstanding educator and President of
St. Clair Community College
Jeff A. Ankrom Ph.D., Class of 1974
National and international recognition for
writings and teachings
in the field of Public Sector Economics
Robert "Bob" Arledge, Class of 1951
Colonel, Retired
Chief of Physical Therapy and
Associate Chief of the Biomedical Science Corp of the USAF following 31 years of Service
Don E. Bainter, Class of 1945
Superintendent of the
Lancaster City Parks and Recreation Department
Instrumental in the creation of
Olivedale Senior Center
Mark Baltz, Class of 1966
50 years of Sports Officiating
(including NFL, MAC, and Big 10)
Allison Jay Batchelor, M.D., Class of 1977
Director of Geriatric Training,
Family Practice Residency at
The Medical Center in Beaver, Pennsylvania
John C. Behrens, Class of 1951
A professor of Journalism at
Utica College of Syracuse University
Author of six books and more than four thousand articles
Charles Bensonhaver, M.D. Class of 1957
Physician/Psychiatrist
Bolinger (Bahnsen), Allison, Class of 1999
NASA Flight Director
Karen Stuck Borda, M.D., Class of 1969
Recognized authority and researcher in the
field of diagnostic radiology
Lewis J. Boyer, Class of 1943
"Service above self" exemplifies the life of "Lew" Boyer.
His devotion to provide opportunities for youth and the disabled
were met by his extensive public service
Richard Bradford, Class of 1957
Internationally known Business Executive
Lester Burcham, Class of 1931
Former CEO and Chairman of
the Board of the F. W. Woolworth Co.
Mary Kerns Burnham, Class of 1920
Recognized for dedication to teaching and
being an outstanding role model for thousands
of teens as being the Director of the Lancaster YWCA for 31 years
Michael D. Campbell, Class of 1959
Internationally recognized expert in the field of hydrogeology,
Serving in numerous capacities in relation
to environmental and geotechnical programs
Rob Carpenter, Class of 1973
All-Ohio football player, former running back
with the Houston Oilers,
New York Giants and Los Angeles Rams
Judge Joseph T. Clark, Class of 1959
Outstanding achievement in the fields of law and public
service as an exemplary judge
Kenneth M. Clemens, D.D.S., Class of 1945
Recognized for outstanding contributions to
the fields of dentistry and
Ohio Regional Campus higher education
R. Brian Cline, Class of 1978
Recognized in the field of engineering
Chief engineer of Raytheon Missile Systems
Served as chief engineer for Paveway(TM) Laser Guided Bomb Program
Holds four patents
Ed Clum, Class of 1949
Recognized in the field of public service
to the community of Lancaster as the founder and director
of Foundation Dinners and Shelters
Dorothy Kirn Coen, Class of 1934
Distinguished educator and advocate for children
Served for sixteen years on the
Lancaster Board of Education
George W. Coen, Class of 1932
Distinguished jurist and civic leader
Gene Cole, Class of 1948
Track silver medalist in the 1952 Olympic Games
at Helsinki, Finland
David R. Contosta, Ph.D., Class of 1963
Professor and Chair of the History Department
at Chestnut Hill College in Philadelphia, PA
James E. Daubenmire, Class of 1944
Recognized for outstanding contributions
to the field of public education
Robert D. Dickey, Class of 1944
Outstanding contributions to the fields
of education, athletics
and water pollution control devices
Melissa Dittmar–Douglas, Ph.D., Class of 1981
Recognized for contributions to the field of physics as well as her
leadership for women in the sciences
Received the 1999 Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers Early Achievement Award
Steve Ehrler, Class of 1972
United States Navy Submarine Officer
Served 25 years in the Department of Navy – large acquisition programs –
from submarine fire control systems to communications satellites and cryptologic systems
Technical Director for the Navy-Marine Corp Intranet
Charles W. "Chuck" Ellinger, Class of 1952
Professor and Chairman of Prosthodontics at UK Dental School
Captain in he US Army Dental Corps at Fort Hood Texas
Richard "Dick" England, Class of 1950
Recognized as an outstanding athlete and coach.
Three athletic hall of fame inductions.
Served as athletic director for 19 years at LHS
Rebecca A. Fannin, Class of 1973
Distinguished journalist in the world of international news
Editor-in-Chief of the Pulitzer family-owned
International Business magazine
Jodi L. Fausnaugh-Politt, Ph.D., Class of 1978
Exemplified service to mankind through
pharmaceutical research and development
Alan H. Geiger, Class of 1956
Recognized for leaving an indelible mark and
guided Ohio University’s physical, financial and academic future
William "Bill" Glassford, Class of 1932
Football All-American at the University of Pittsburgh
Former head football coach at the University of Nebraska
Charles Goslin, Class of 1923
Noted local author, naturalist and historian
Thomas A. Gossel, Ph.D., Class of 1959
Distinguished educator and leader in
the field of pharmaceutical education Ohio Northern University
G. Thomas Graf, Class of 1956
Internationally recognized leader in securing human rights, education and
opportunities for the disabled
Paul "David" Graf, Class of 1968
American actor, best known for his role as Sgt. Eugene Tackleberry in the
Police Academy series of films
William J. "Bill" Grein, Class of 1966 (Major)
Vice President of Marketing and Development for the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation
Recipient of the Development of Navy Superior Public Service Award
Alex W. “Pete” Hart, Class of 1958
President and CEO of MasterCard International
William H. Hauenstein, Rear Admiral, Ret., Class of 1954
The United States Navy’s
first Director of Acquisition Career Management
Robert G. Heft, Class of 1960
Created the design for the 50 star American Flag
Carol (Morley) Israel, Class of 1954
Advocate for People with Disabilities
Established Raising Special Kids, a grass-roots effort for
children with disabilities and special health care needs
G. Edwin Johnson, Class of 1955
Ohio’s dynamic ambassador for agriculture
President and farm director of Agri Communicators
Dianne Jones, Ed.D., Class of 1970
Lifetime achievements in athletics
Professor at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater
Stephen G. Jones, Class of 1966
Professor Emeritus of Music (42 years) Western Michigan University
Award of Merit by International Trumpet Guild
Dwight L. Kane, Class of 1925
Outstanding educator and athlete
Former world record holder in the 65 yard low hurdles
Former Principal at General Sherman JH School
Rex Kern, Class of 1967
College football All-American Ohio State University
Most Valuable player - 1969 Rose Bowl
Rear Admiral John E. Kerr, Class of 1963
Served as pilot in Vietnam, Instructor pilot at the Navy’s “Topgun” Fighter weapons school
Crisis Action Team for Operation Joint Endeavor (Bosnia) and
Deputy Commander in Saudi Arabia during Operation Desert Fox
Edwin A. (Ed) Kitchen, Class of 1964
Professional artist and art educator
James A. Lantz, Class of 1939
Speaker of the Ohio House of Representatives
Outstanding achievement in the fields of law and public service as an attorney
James Russell Lloyd, M.D. Class of 1938
Exemplary pilot, physician, surgeon, teacher, mentor and human being
Gerald E. Lowther, O.D., Ph.D., Class of 1961
Recognized authority in the field of optometry,
in particular, as an internationally renown publisher, lecturer and researcher
in vision science
Captain Frederick R. Lutz, USN—Class of 1962
Supervisor of shipbuilding United States Navy
Major Charles E. Lytle, Class of 1955
Distinguished military officer, outstanding service during the Vietnam War
Recipient of the Bronze Star and Silver Star with Oak Leaf Clusters
Captain of the 1958 undefeated Army football team
Clarence E. Miller, M.C., Class of 1935
Former Member of the
United States House of Representatives
for thirteen consecutive terms
Marc E. Miller, Ph.D., Class of 1960
Founder of Hospice and Special Wish Foundation
Chief of Neuropsychology
Stephen Wilmot Miller, M.D., Class of 1959
Internationally known authority on cardiac imaging and
member of the Faculty of the Harvard Medical School
Norman C Neeley, DDS, Class of 1961
Outstanding Dentist and Professor
Norman "Joe" Ogilvie, Class of 1992
Longtime PGA Player
Mike Parobeck, Class of 1983
Comic Book Artist
Virginia L. Pickering, Class of 1945
Locally known philanthropist making possible
The Pickering House for hospice and palliative care
Kathy (Wright) Priest, Class of 1970
Internationally Recognized Professional Dressage Trainer
Margaret Powers, Class of 1970
Nationally known leader, advocate, presenter and professional mediator,
in private practice in the field of family and divorced mediation.
Certified welder of nuclear submarines in the United States.
Stanley F. Pratt, Class of 1922
Outstanding teacher and jurist
Ron Ramey, Class of 1953
37 Year Educator and Administrator
Emily Rawlins, Class of 1964
One of the leading singing actresses in the world of opera
Frederick R. Reed, ESQ., Class of 1966
All Ivy and All East football player, Harvard University
Managing partner of the Cincinnati office of Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease
Colonel J. Mark Reed, USMC, Class of 1971
Distinguished Officer and Aviator for the United States Marine Corps,
Meritorious Service Medal with two gold stars,
Navy Commendation Medal with two gold stars
and the Presidential Service Badge
Ethan Reeve, Class of 1973
All-American wrestler, served as a wrestling coach for 44 years
Director of Strength and Athletic Performance
Induction into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame
Martin C. Robson, M.D., Class of 1957
Internationally recognized plastic surgeon in wound physiology and burns
Patricia (Lahrmer) Ross, Class of 1957
Pioneer in the field of broadcast journalism
First female voice on the first 24-hours-a-day all-news station
Broadcasted news reports internationally for ABC Radio News
Robert Lee Sells II, Class of 1944
Outstanding author and educator in the field of physics
Dennis B. Sprague, PH.D., Class of 1959
Nationally recognized author, lecturer and teacher
in the field of sports psychology
Gerald L. Stebelton, Class of 1957
Outstanding achievement in the field of law as a trial attorney
Recipient of the Lawyer-Legislator Distinguished Service Award
Chairman of the House Education Committee
Served on Lancaster City Council and Lancaster Board of Education
Chairman of the LHS Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame
Chester Swett, Class of 1957
Recognized in the field of patient care in psychiatry at Massachusetts Mental Health Center, a Harvard Teaching Hospital.
Produced 50 publications in referred journals and lectured in Finland, Sweden and Wales.
Named the 2008 Outstanding Clinical Psychiatrist by the Massachusetts Psychiatric Society.
Randall Thropp, Class of 1974
Paramount Pictures Costume and Prop Archivist
Kenneth D. Trimmer, Class of 1934
Major of the United States Army in World War II
A life of exemplified integrity, personal service and philanthropy
Beverly Kay Logan Hardesty Wolford, Class1954
Outstanding achievement as a musician, educator, philanthropist and arts advocate
