Talk About Clyde: Coach Hohenstein receives Community Service Award
Coach Ralph Hohenstein is the recipient of the 2021 Community Service Award annually presented by the Clyde Business and Professional Association (Clyde BPA).
He received the award, a crystal eagle, during the luncheon meeting of Clydescope Economic Development Corporation and Clyde BPA. The event was held at Copper Whale Winery on March 17. The award came as a surprise to him, but he did note that he was curious why his son, Bob, had been questioning him about his history with Clyde Schools.
Ralph Hohenstein was presented his award by Katelyn Clapp, past BPA president and Clydescope Board president. She said that the man known in the community as "Coach" has made a huge impact by volunteering, which has become his identity. He taught eighth grade science, coached sports, including golf, to generations of students in the Clyde-Green Springs School District. Clapp also acknowledged the support given by his wife of 58 years, Elsie.
Coach grew up in Springfield, and is a 1963 graduate of Ohio Northern University. It has been a long-time tale that in 1963 he accidentally drove to Clyde to interview for a teaching job, but the opening was actually in Kalida, Ohio.
He did not know he was at the wrong school until he was interviewing. Clyde needed a science teacher and offered him the job. For the next 37 years he taught eighth grade physical education and health and coached various sports in the district.
In his first year Hohenstein coached the freshman basketball team to the Sandusky Bay Championship and he was also assistant Fliers football coach from 1963 to 1965, sometimes driving the school bus to games. Coaching continued throughout Hohenstein's long career, he had SBC champs, sectionals and district champs and state qualifiers. He ran Hohenstein Driving School from 1973 to 1981.
For 52 years, Coach has run the Future Stars Golf League at Green Hills Golf Course for youths ages 6 to 18. Last summer he had more than 100 youths participating.
Coach is known for his Christianity and is very active in the First Missionary Church. “He feels his greatest accomplishment has been having opportunities to speak to youth about his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ,” said his son, Bob Hohenstein.
Coach still has students calling to thank him for help when they were down on their luck or to thank him for his support. Coach and Elsie are parents of Bob, Paul and Ann.
The Clyde BPA annually honors an individual who uses their time and talent to serve the community.
During the luncheon, former Clyde Mayor Scott Black was recognized with a plaque for his years as a Clydescope committee member.
Clyde Community Grant Funds also were awarded to two businesses: $5,000 to Blue Collar Bistro towards remodeling costs in its new building, and $4,539.50 to Sandco Industries towards upgrading the former office building of Mary Beth Fiser into a candy store.
Guest speakers were State Sen. Bill Reineke, who said Ohio was in good shape financially, and Scott Miller, Sandusky County Commissioner.
A few more items
• The 10th annual Pizza Party for the Pantry will be held from noon to 2 p.m. Saturday in the fellowship hall of St. Paul Lutheran Church, 147 W. Forest. St. Pizza will be furnished by local businesses, as well as raffle items and door prizes. This is an independent fundraiser, which has raised nearly $3,000 and more than 2,000 donated items for the pantry in the past nine years.
• The Clyde FFA Ag Sales Team is in first place in Ohio and members are headed to the national contest. Team members include Ryleigh Satterlee (39th place overall), Curstin Hackenburg (13th place overall), Katrice Hackenburg (3rd place overall) and Kristopher Bonnigson (1st place overall).
Jeanette Liebold Ricker writes about Clyde and Green Springs. Contact her at 419-547-8177 or by email at jeanette.ricker@gmail.com.
This article originally appeared on Fremont News-Messenger: Talk About Clyde: Coach Hohenstein receives Community Service Award
