Posthumous | Washington High School, Class of 1966

George was a lifelong Dotte. He attended McKinley & Mark Twain Elementary, Northwest Junior High, and graduated from Washington High School. After college, he moved back to KCK to substitute teach in the district for a couple years before moving onto a career in banking. In 1983, he began his 32 year stint on the school board for USD 500, the second longest stint ever. His passion for the community and the children the district served was unmatched. He would frequently drop into classrooms just to meet the children the district served and to see the teachers in action. In 2012, George was inducted into the Mid-America Education Hall of Fame. George also has served on numerous boards, including Donnelly college Board of Directors, KCK Landmarks Commission, and the Foundation Board for Emporia State. 

When he wasn’t attending meetings for all of his boards that he served on, you could find him taking in a basketball game, specifically women’s. In the late 90’s, he purchased a NWBL team that played a couple seasons at Washington High School before he sold the team. He was an avid supporter of Kansas State Women’s Basketball program and Emporia State University Women’s Basketball program. Another one of his passions was travel. George traveled to 67 countries (one for every year on earth). He also attended the Olympic Games 10 times, including one Winter games.

He loved to see the world, try new cuisines, immerse himself into the culture, and learn as much as possible. George was a lifelong learner of people, places, and things.