Dr. Richard Hermeier: Giving back to his hometown team
Dr. Richard Hermeier just loves Waukon.
The retired child psychologist, who lives in the Iowa City area, grew up in rural Waukon and participated in high school athletics. He never forgot the thrill of races won or team bonds forged in his hometown.
The Community Foundation invites donors like Dr. Hermeier to invest in their personal dreams for their community. In 2005, Dr. Hermeier created an endowment that annually supports both Waukon Athletics and the Waukon Wellness Center, a place where families and residents of all ages enjoy exercise and fellowship.
Dr. Hermeier, a 1955 graduate of Waukon Senior High, says the gift is a way for him to give back to a school and community that contributed immensely to his own personal success. “The school and the community have given so much to our whole family,” he remarked. “This is just a small token of our appreciation for all that Waukon has given me, athletically and in many other ways.”
According to Brian Hilsabeck, Waukon High School principal and activities director, “Dr. Hermeier’s endowment has led to many facility improvements. This includes storage buildings, new ticket booths, upgrades at the track, an irrigation system and a scoreboard at the softball field, as well as new bleachers and a press box at the football field.“
The annual financial support from the endowment has been critical to Waukon’s athletic success in an era of declining school enrollment. The entire community takes pride in its tradition of top-ten rankings and state tournament road trips.
Dr. Hermeier’s endowment makes a real difference to Waukon kids and families every day and he will continue to invest in Allamakee County’s future, saying, “I hope this will help keep the ‘W’ burning forever.”
Read more stories about the impact we’re making in Allamakee County by visiting www.dbqfoundation.org/ACCF.