The Royall School District inducted three new members — Richard Martin, Rodney Pasch and David Zmolek — into its Hall of Recognition on Sept. 18 at the Kendall Community Hall. The award program serves as a way to honor accomplished alumni. The school district provided the following profiles of the new inductees.
Richard Martin
Richard Martin is a successful local business owner who has also served his community in a variety of volunteer and leadership positions whenever help was needed. As a small business owner in Kendall for over 30 years, Richard has remained deeply invested in the well-being of the village. During his years as a self-employed businessman, Richard also served in a variety of civic roles, including 41 years as a volunteer firefighter, 20 years as Kendall Village Board President, six years as a village board trustee, 20-plus years as a Kendall Sportsmen’s Club Member, 10 years as a Kendall Jaycees member, and 25-plus years on the Kendall Housing Authority, currently serving as president.
For his service to the Village of Kendall, “Dick” was named Citizen of the Year in 2017.
Rodney G. Pasch
Rodney Pasch has had an illustrious career, serving in roles of increasing responsibility in higher education and public service. Rodney’s philosophical drivers were “Life and Career Choices Are Strictly One’s Own! Those Choices Are Best Accomplished Through Continued Learning.”
• Graduate of Dorset Ridge Elementary School, Kendall
• Graduate of Royall High School — 1963
• BS and MS in industrial technology from University of Wisconsin–Platteville
• Ph.D. in educational administration from University of Wisconsin–Madison
• Spend 30 years as an administrator and teacher in Wisconsin Technical College System. Taught the construction trades
• Taught graduate and undergraduate courses in architectural design, organizational change, and labor law in the University System
• United States Army Combat Engineer, Vietnam-era veteran
• Served as consultant/evaluator for the Higher Learning Commission, evaluating colleges and universities throughout the United States for accreditation
• Served 16 years on the board of directors of Fox Valley Savings Bank, Fond du Lac, Wis.
• Served as commissioner of the Wisconsin Employment Relations Commission
• Served as president and vice president of the Wisconsin Technical College System Board
• Served on the University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents
• Received numerous national and international awards for leadership
• Coached girls and boys basketball, softball and baseball
David Zmolek
Dave Zmolek has been an exemplary volunteer for the Royall Community. For over 40 years, he has played a key role in coaching teams and hosting high school athletic events. Dave is a lifetime member of the Royall Booster Club, which has taken a leadership role in its annual alumni events and on the Wall of Fame Committee. Dave has also served the Royall community in areas beyond athletics, most notably his role as a founding member and vice president of the Royall Alumni Association.
• Royall High School, class of 1974
• Recipient, Wisconsin Administrators Child Advocacy Award, 2017
• Team member, Royall Track and Football Field Restoration Committee
• Co-founder and vice president, Royall Alumni Association
• Committee member — Royall Hall of Recognition
• Lifetime member — Royall Booster Club
• Organizer — Royall Booster alumni sporting events
• Volunteer RHS coach in various sports over the past 40-plus years
• Assistant track coach — Girls state champions 2021