2004 Citizen of the Year

Each year the Archbold Area Chamber of Commerce and Lions Club sponsor the Citizen of the Year Award. This award is given to an individual from the community who has served the community well. A banquet is held at Sauder Village's Founder's Hall the first Thursday in November to honor both this individual and area businesses in the community.

"A master consensus builder, bringing people with different opinions and backgrounds together to accomplish common goals. The goals always were boiled down to one—improvement of the quality of life in Archbold, Ohio.”

Charles K. (Chuck) Rychener was born in 1948 to Glen and Dorothy (Chub) Rychener in Wauseon, Ohio. The third of five boys, he grew up in Pettisville, Ohio. A 1966 graduate of Pettisville High School in 1966, Chuck served in the United States Army from 1968-1970 in Vietnam. He attended Bowling Green State University and received a bachelors degree in 1973.

In 1968 married Pam Clair and together they chose to make Archbold their home. They raised four wonderful children , Matt, Joshua, Sara and Rebekah. Pam and Chuck have worked throughout their lives to serve the Lord, their family and the community.

Chuck worked for 19 years at Sauder Woodworking. A member of the senior management team, Chuck served as Director of Human Resources. He was a warm and compassionate leader. Through his experiences at Sauder Woodworking he became a trainer for Stephen Covey on time management and organization skills. He was always a believer in putting your priorities in order to serve others to the best of your ability. The past several years Chuck enjoyed the opportunity of working with his son Matt at Sonit Systems and most recently at Dynacal. Chuck had a never ending pool of enthusiasm and strength which he exhibited in all he did.

In 1990 Chuck started a political career in Archbold serving as a Village Councilman. After serving 2 years he was a successful “write in” candidate for mayor. As mayor Chuck made significant changes and aided in the growth of Archbold. He worked to modernize the employment practices of the village, was involved in the expansion of the Archbold Industrial Park and oversaw the reconstruction of South Defiance St. Chuck was always looking to the future and helped to create avenues to make travel in and out of Archbold easier. He was a leader in constructing the Clyde’s Way underpass and in securing the Archbold turnpike interchange.

Chuck led the way in making Archbold a “Character First” City. As leader of the Archbold Character Council he had helped lead the way toward educating the community and our youth as to what it means to be a person of character. He was truly a man who lived by example. Chuck spent much time talking with students about the value of living a self-disciplined life. He was willing to speak out when the truth was overlooked and was a true example of someone who “walked the talk.”

A lifelong member of Pettisville Missionary Church, Chuck was actively involved and served as a church elder. He was not shy about sharing his love and faith of the Lord and touched many lives through his faith.

Sara’s Garden is the most recent project that Chuck has helped bring to fruition. Working with Judy and Dave Burkholder, his son-in-law Jay Burkholder and his wife Pam funds were raised to create a facility with a hyperbolic oxygen chamber in Wauseon. This chamber is a benefit to their grandson Jackson who suffers from cerebral palsy. It has also been the answer for many other families needing therapy for their children.

Chuck was told of his selection as Citizen of the Year on October 4th. His battle with cancer took its final blow on October 14, 2004. Chuck fought many valiant fights with cancer over the years. He was an inspiration to many fighting the same battle. He served as honorary chairperson of the Relay for Life and was an active participant for many years.

Chuck will be missed and remembered by many. He truly lived his life according to his beliefs and the community of Archbold benefited from his dedication, caring and integrity. He was an outstanding member of the community who gave much and gave often.

Past Citizens of the Year

1962 Rev. William Flory*
1963 Orrin R. Taylor*
1964 C. W. Walvogel*
1965 Mrs. W.C. "Mid" Bernath*
1966 Alvin J. Stamm*
1967 Dr. C.F. Murbach*
1968 Thomas L. Parker*
1969 Erie J. Sauder*
1970 Owen Rice*
1971 Mrs. Dale "Jo" Lantz
1972 Harold F. Stotzer*
1973 Dr. E.R. Murbach*
1974 Glenn E. Gallaway*
1975 J.H. Spengler*
1976 Dr. William J. Neal*
1977 Rev. Archie Graber*
1978 Rev. P.L. Frey*
1979 Elias H. Frey*
1980 Denver N. Stuckey*
1981 Richard W. Weires*
1982 Harley N. Nofziger*
1983 Lester Rich*
1984 Mrs. Fern Schrock
1985 David P. Rupp*
1986 John A. Wilson
1987 Maynard Sauder
1988 Charles E. Lugbill
1989 -no recipient-
1990 David L. Lersch
1991 Fred B. Witte
1992 Dale Pape
1993 Fannie Nofziger
1994 Lowell F. Rupp*
1995 Lawerence E. Short
1996 Rev. Charles L. Zimmerman
1997 Cecily G. Rohrs
1998 Florence A. Roth
1999 Virgil L. Miller
2000 Harold H. Plassman
2001 Steve Ringenberg
2002 Marilyn Rufenacht Yoder
2003 Elvin D. (Ed) Yoder
2004 Charles K. (Chuck) Rychener*

* - Deceased