Riverside Brookfield High School 2005 Alumni Award Recipients

Jack Hagan, a graduate of the class of 1949, distinguished himself as a businessman, community leader, and civic services volunteer. After graduation he attended Indiana University where he received a B.S. in Management in 1953. Jack worked as a salesman in the business form industry for 30 years, 14 of which he owned a distributorship. He has been involved with RB as a track and cross country assistant and was also the chairman of a referendum committee. Jack also co-chaired five class reunions, and he helped establish an annual meeting for RB graduates which is held in Phoenix, Arizona. In 1987 he created a presentation on “Achieving Your Goals” which was given to senior vocational students at RB and at other area institutions. He was also a founding member of the Alumni Achievement Award Committee. On the political scene, he was a precinct captain and became president of the Riverside Township Young Republican Organization. After moving to La Grange, he was involved with the La Grange Citizen Council and various youth programs with the La Grange Recreation Department. In addition to being a member of the Park District Board, he was a Republican precinct captain and area vice president, a Village Trustee, and was a judge of elections. Jack has also been involved with various local churches. He also is a member of RB’s Athletic Wall of Fame. Presently Jack lives in Western Springs where he continues his involvement in various volunteer projects.

Barbara Slamp Reimann, a graduate of the class of 1965, is the Senior Vice President of Operations at Crate and Barrel. She is an alumnus with ties to RB where her brother, nieces, and nephew have followed in her footsteps. Barb began her career at Crate and Barrel 30 years ago and has worked her way to the top. She is a well respected business woman with an innate gift for teaching and sets the bar high for those she mentors. An exemplary leader, Barb believes in the “TEAM” work approach and stands with, not in front of the team. Barb is known for her big heart and compassionate spirit which is evident in her everyday way of life. Amongst the many charities that Barb and her husband Kell hold dear, St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital has long been favored. Barb believes that family is a priority and lives that mantra everyday. Barb is a true humanitarian who symbolizes the ideal of Community of Caring at Riverside Brookfield High School.

Joseph F. Tucek Jr., a graduate of the class of 1948, served in the United States Army during the Korean War. While in Korea he was awarded the Silver Star for gallantry in action. While Sgt. Tucek’s platoon was surrounded by the enemy, he volunteered to open fire upon the enemy at a range of 100 yards. During this endeavor, he was continually subjected to machine gun and sniper fire. Through his heroic actions, he stopped the enemy so that his platoon could withdraw to safety. After Joseph was honorably discharged, he returned home to rebuild his life as a civilian. He worked as a baker to support his wife and five children. He was a volunteer coach for Pop Warner football, Little League baseball, and Babe Ruth baseball for many years. He is also an active member of his church.

 

Michael Witwer, M.D., F.A.C.P., a graduate of the class of 1959, has focused his career on Infectious Diseases. The Bios Logos Club at RB sparked Dr. Witwer’s interest in public health which led to his M.D. degree from Northwestern University. After medical school he served in Viet Nam with a Marine combat unit. The Marines decorated him for valor in providing medical support to his unit under fire. Michael was also cited for his work providing for the well-being of the Vietnamese villagers. Afterward, he held various faculty appointments, from Chief Medical Resident at Northwestern to subsequent service at the University of California as an antibiotic lecturer on the clinical faculty.
     From 1974 to 1994, Dr. Witwer served on various hospital staffs in California. He has published articles in the medical literature and worked for effective treatment of life-threatening infections including AIDS. He provided services for numerous indigent HIV patients. His future plans include volunteer work in clinics in Peru. 
     Although he had sustained severe leg injuries in Viet Nam, Michael became a veteran of over 100 26-mile marathons and 50 ultra-marathons. He won the Silver Buckle at the Western States 100-Mile Endurance Run, which he finished on four occasions between 1979 and 1985. During this period, he founded the first of many American 24-hour track runs to benefit cancer patients. In 1986, he recorded an American record in the 146-mile run from Badwater, Death Valley, to Mt. Whitney. Subsequently, the annual Badwater Run has become a world-class event in untra-marathoning. He currently leads a facility program for Hepatitis C management for prison inmates in California.