Delavan Hall of Fame

Born in Elkhorn and raised in Delavan, Bob graduated from Delavan-Darien High School in 1962 and Illinois Wesleyan University in 1966. After earning a mortuary science degree, he joined his father at the Betzer Funeral Home and later became its owner. He was known for his compassion, from comforting grieving families to quietly helping people in need. Bob served for many years on the Aram Public Library Board of Trustees, including as president, sat on the library foundation board from its founding in 2015, and was a key player in building Delavan’s new library. He was a Lions Club member, a reader at St. Andrew’s Church, and a generous host whose lake dinners ended with boat rides full of local history.

A native son of Delavan, Claire grew up on Matthew Street, joined the area’s first Boy Scout troop, and was president of Delavan High School’s Class of 1914. He served in the U.S. Army in both World Wars, then worked as a city manager in communities across the country. In 1960 he returned home as Delavan’s City Engineer and Director of Public Works, guiding construction of the Municipal Building in 1966 and major south-side drainage improvements in 1968. In retirement he stayed active with the American Legion, arranging for Scouts to place flags on veterans’ graves and students to play taps on Memorial Day. He also served on the Lake Comus Commission and the Spring Grove Cemetery Association. He lived to 102.

Raised in New Holstein, Ginny earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees at UW–Madison and spent more than 33 years as an Extension Home Economist, most of them in Walworth County, including service as Sheboygan County 4-H Home Agent and Home Economics Program Leader on the state staff. Since retiring in 1989 she has volunteered at the Lake Geneva Public Library and the Delavan Historical Museum. She wrote auto tour guides for 12 sections of the county, 10 community walking tours, and a guide to the 21-mile walk around Geneva Lake, along with more than 800 newspaper articles on local history. She has written histories of the Lake Geneva and Delavan libraries, the Walworth County Fair and St. Benedict’s of Fontana, and chaired the Walworth County Bicentennial Committee.

Born in Kenosha, Frank served in the Marine Corps before earning his education degree at UW–Whitewater. A National Science Foundation grant took him to Franklin and Marshall College for his master’s degree. He taught math and science at Delavan-Darien High School from 1968 until 1997, including a leave to teach in New South Wales, Australia. In retirement he became an architectural researcher and has written nine books about Delavan, covering Old Settlers and Spring Grove cemeteries, Frank Lloyd Wright on Delavan Lake, Christ Episcopal Church, and the city’s historic homes. He volunteers every Wednesday and Saturday at the Delavan Historical Society.

Born in Elkhorn, the youngest of ten children, Harry began working at G.W. Borg Company at 16. He enlisted in the Army in 1943 and served as a Staff Sergeant and platoon leader in the 106th Infantry Division. Wounded and captured during the Battle of the Bulge, he was held at Stalag 9A until liberated by General Patton’s forces in April 1945, earning the Bronze Star and Purple Heart among other honors. Back home he helped run the Yellow Cab Company and married Joyce Scheurell in 1949, beginning a 70-year marriage. Harry joined the Delavan Police Department in 1957 and served as Chief of Police from 1966 to 1978. He was a 73-year member of American Legion Post 95.

Born in Cuba City, Leonard graduated from the Wisconsin School for the Deaf in 1949, attended Gallaudet University, and earned his master’s degree at UW–Madison by taking notes from friends and reading on his own. He taught at WSD for 34 years, covering vocational education, civics, consumer education and driver’s education. He was a scoutmaster for 33 years and received the Silver Beaver Award, Scouting’s highest honor. A 49-year member of the National Fraternal Society of the Deaf, he earned its 34th Degree in 1984 and was inducted into its Hall of Fame. He also served 25 years on the Wisconsin Association of the Deaf board, chairing its Law Committee for 16.