The KR honors its members who go above and beyond yearly at its Annual Conference.
The KR Awards Committee invites individuals and boards to submit a nomination for the annual Distinguished Service Award. Individuals to be nominated would have shown dedication and service over a span of years and/or to recognize a member that has made outstanding contributions to the association.
Individuals must meet all of the criteria on the nomination form and completed nominations must be received by KR by July 1 of award year!
Distinguished Service Award Honor Roll
*Deceased
*1982 – George Etherington, Abilene
1983 – Steve Clark, Wichita
*1984 – David M. Neiswanger, Topeka
*1985 – Nestor Weigand, Jr., Wichita
*1986 – Dennis Coleman, Shawnee Mission
1987 – David Craig, Topeka
*1988 – Earl Brown, Junction City
1989 – Ben Blair, Topeka
*1991 – Terry Cobb, Topeka
*1992 – Bob Kirk, Topeka
*1993 – Esther Newton, Wichita
1994 – Kirby Deeter, Overland Park
*1995 – Jim Mayer, Wichita
1996 – Francis X. Thorne, Leavenworth
1997 – Larry Von Feldt, Overland Park
1998 – Ruth Simnitt, Topeka
*1999 – BJ Melvin, Colby
2000 – Rob Curtis, Olathe
*2001 – John Green, Topeka
2002 – Pat Tholen, Overland Park
2003 – John McKenzie, Wichita
2004 – Mike McGrew, Lawrence
2005 – Jody Abbott, Overland Park
2006 – Corky Hyatt, Stilwell
2007 – Jeanette Johnson, Topeka
2008 – Dan Sight, Overland Park
2009 – Frank Stucky, Newton
2010 – John Brocker, Iola
*2011 – Delores Dalke, Hillsboro
2012 – Judy Miller, Overland Park
2013 – Brian Jones, Pittsburg
2014 – Cal Lantis, Ottawa
2015 – Carol Mangan, Coffeyville
2016 – Jeff Carson, Leawood
2017 – Steve McCullough, Newton
2018 – Sue Wenger, Mulvane
2019 – Bryon Schlosser, Topeka
2021 – Todd Woodburn, Wichita
2022 – Chris Rost, Salina
2023 – Steve LaRue, Lawrence
2024 – Natalie Moyer, Wichita
2025 – Kathy Minden, Paola
