PILLAGER - Two women and two men will be inducted into Pillager High School's fifth Hall of Fame class. The banquet is at 6 p.m. Saturday at the school.
The Pillager School District supplied biographical information for this year's inductees:
Myron F. Tiemens
Myron Tiemens was a simple man who enjoyed simple things, yet he changed the course of rivers and lives.
Born the first son to a farm family two years after the Depression, Myron had humble beginnings. He and his family moved in with his mother's parents in Scandia Valley about 10 miles southwest of Pillager where Myron walked to the one-room school about a mile and a half from the farm. Sometime around 1940, Myron transferred to the Rail Prairie School south of Pillager and from there to Pillager High School.
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Being the oldest boy, Myron knew the meaning of hard work. He helped his father clear their "new" 160-acre farm, picking rocks hour after hour, day after day. Myron also had a zest for learning and for life. A shy but intelligent youth, Myron loved simple things; any meal cooked for him was "the greatest he ever had." Coming from a very musical family, Myron loved to sing and dance, a passion he continued throughout his entire life. In high school he was a member of the Male Quartet, and as an adult he continued this passion, taking ballroom dance, piano, and voice lessons.
Myron continued his zest for learning in high school. In 1948, he graduated as Valedictorian at the age of 16. Two weeks after turning 17, he started college at St. Cloud Teachers' College, striving to be a science teacher. Two years later, Myron enlisted in the U.S. Army, serving during the Korean War.
Returning from the Army, Myron continued his post-secondary education at the University of Minnesota Institute of Technology, graduating with high distinction in 1957. Already married (to Pillager grad Anita Reis) and the father of two, Myron began his civil engineering career with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers working in flood management.
Myron's zest for life was seen daily by his family and the neighboring kids as well. Almost every kid in the neighborhood would be waiting for Myron to get home from work because there was always a baseball, soccer, or hockey game going on in the back yard. Of course, it couldn't be played properly until Myron got home to play! His second oldest son said that Myron would drive in the yard from work, yell at his wife to let her know he was home, throw off his blazer, roll up his sleeves, grab his glove or whatever equipment he needed, and play with them until supper or dark, whichever came first.
Myron's life-long learning continued, and he received his master of science in civil engineering from Stanford University in Palo Alto, Calif., in 1967. He worked with flood management and river environments his entire life. In 1969, he spearheaded efforts to save Minot, N.D., from one of that city's worst floods. His efforts earned him honors from both the city of Minot and the state of North Dakota. In the early 70s, Myron moved the entire family to Annandale, Va. where he worked at the newly formed Environmental Protection Agency in Washington, D.C. He continued at the EPA until his retirement.
Myron's zest for learning and for work was not finished when he retired, however. After his retirement, he became what was affectionately called a "Beltway bandit." This term refers to his work as a private consultant to his former agency, the EPA. He and another group of environmental engineers were hired to study the possible cleanup of the sacred Ganges River in India. This group reached a unanimous decision that because of religious and cultural practices, this project would be impossible.
A life-long learner, Myron and Anita would often take educational and recreational tours. One of their favorites was white water rafting the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon. Myron also became a Civil War buff. Through his research, he published reports on Minnesota Army units' actions during Civil War battles: "Portraits of Courage and Sacrifice" and "Engineering in the Civil War."
Myron spent the last 40 years of his life in Annandale, Va., but his heart was "home" in Scandia Valley, Minnesota. He made every effort to vacation here when he and his family could; he attended class and all-school reunions whenever possible; and he stayed in touch with his roots here in Minnesota.
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From his humble beginnings moving rocks, Myron's zest for learning allowed him to move rivers. His zest for life moved the people around him to follow his example. Myron Tiemens is surely an example of where a person can go regardless of how and where that person begins.
Calvin Martin
"If there be any truer measure of a man than by what he does, it must be by what he gives."
In his quote, Robert South, a 17th century clergyman and orator, could be talking about Calvin Martin. What Calvin has done all his life is farm. What Calvin has given during his life speaks volumes about him as a man.
Calvin was born and raised on the farm and has continued that career his entire life. He graduated from Pillager High School in 1950 where he played trombone in the band and was very active in Future Farmers of America (FFA), serving as its president. Calvin served two years with the U.S. Army in the 5th and the 9th Divisions, stationed in Germany, Fort Knox, and Fort Leonard Wood. He attended Staples AVTI where he took farm management classes from 1957-1959.
Calvin is not a man who seeks out fame and fortune but rather a quiet, humble man who shows us by his example that you don't have to drastically change the world to be a positive influence in the world. He has been a successful dairy farmer for 52 years and a beef and crop farmer since 2002. He has substantially provided for his family and proudly helped feed a nation. However, it is the influence that Calvin has had on family, community, and his church that has made the difference.
Calvin served on the Pillager School Board for 14 years, holding the offices of treasurer and vice chair. He was an influential force on the school board which completed a huge building and remodeling project in 1991. Calvin also fought tirelessly against the consolidation of the Pillager School District with a neighboring district at a time when districts throughout the state were combining, allowing Pillager School District to remain independent and hold on to its identity. He also served and held offices in the American Dairy Association, Cass County Soil and Water Board, Cass County Conservation and Development Board, the American Legion, and was extremely active in Cass County 4-H Programs. Calvin trained at the National Conference Center in Washington, D.C. and worked with 4-H youth throughout Cass County, actively participating in both Cass County fairs (Pillager & Pine River) as well as the Minnesota State Fair.
For 63 years and counting, Calvin has been a faithful member of the Casino Assembly of God church, serving on the church board for 20 years and as church treasurer for 15 years. At Casino church and in the community, Calvin and his entire family have always been involved with young people. Whether through Calvin's work on the Pillager School Board, his involvement with 4-H, his and his wife's work with music and youth in the church, or just by his example and encouragement, Calvin Martin has quietly influenced many people around him. Family members have continued the ministry of their church and involvement with youth within their own communities, and many young people whom Calvin encouraged and worked with have followed his model in their lives, becoming hard working, caring, and giving adults.
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Calvin's daughter, Carrie, summed it up: "Calvin has always had a vision for the future. Whether it was being in the first Pillager School band, helping start the very first Future Farmers of America club, helping build additions or sports programs for our school, or being involved in community or church activities, Calvin is truly a man who has made a difference."
RoseMarie Pietz
A quote from a 1997 Brainerd Dispatch article celebrating RoseMarie Pietz's 35th year in education states, "There must be something special about a teacher when two generations of students call her the best teacher I ever had." "Special" is the exact term to describe Mrs. Pietz who has influenced thousands of children during her 35 plus years at the head of the class.
Influenced by another first grade teacher, RoseMarie worked her way through college and received her elementary teacher training undergrad certificate from Staples in 1951. As a young 18-year-old, she began her classroom career teaching in rural Cass County one-room schools and continued there for six years (A school atmosphere that she said she would return to in a heartbeat if they still existed today). In 1958 Rose Marie began her Pillager career with 30 active first-graders, a brand new reading program, and a baby on the way.
After two years as a stay-at-home mom, RoseMarie was "begged" to come back into the classroom by the superintendent where a third-grade classroom awaited her. During the 1966 school expansion and with no classroom, Mrs. Pietz led 27 lively 5-year-olds to the basement of the Baptist church for kindergarten classes. That year ended with a full-fledged graduation ceremony complete with caps, gowns, and diplomas in the "old gym" - a ceremony that is still being held today. Two years later, the "new school" was done and RoseMarie spent 29 years in third grade, fourth grade, or third-fourth combination rooms until she retired in 1997. Of course she couldn't quite give up yet, and she spent a number of years substitute teaching and volunteering in second grade.
What makes Mrs. Pietz so special to her "kids", as she calls them, is the fact that she didn't just teach the curriculum; she inspired all of her students to be themselves and to strive toward their individual potential. Her teaching philosophy was simple, "... start every class year teaching kids to love themselves - that they're OK ... Once they believe that, they can accept a learning situation." Not a class day went by without Mrs. Pietz finding a way to tell a student, "You have a lot going for you. Don't throw it away. If you want it, go for it!"
RoseMarie was known for her creative projects, class lessons, Christmas Programs, and positive attitude. Whether it was learning how to make fishing nets and peace pipes for the Native American unit, making lava candy and learning the hula for the Hawaiian unit, or stuffing the giant shark hung in the hallway, every student took part; every student learned; and every student felt good about his/her individual and class' accomplishments in Mrs. Pietz's classroom.
Mrs. Pietz received her share of awards and honors: Selection into "Who's Who Among America's Teachers in 1990 and 1996, Pillager School Service Award in 1991, Outstanding Service and Merit Award in 1995. She also served for years as Pillager Education Association President and Secretary, as well as on countless education committees.
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However, Mrs. Pietz's career was never about the awards but rather about the rewards she received from watching her students reach their own potential and succeed in her classroom, in the many musical and Christmas programs she directed, in high school and college, and especially in life. This "special" lady assured that each child in her care knew their worth, and she pushed them to their true potential.
A student reflected what all of Mrs. Pietz's students felt, "Everyone, and I mean everyone, knew that Mrs. Pietz loved them unconditionally - and we loved her back!"
Barbara Lindman
Passion is a strong human emotion and can be the controlling force in many of our actions. Dr. Barbara Lindman has that strong passion for athletics and an even stronger passion for education.
Dr. Lindman's high school career was filled with activities: Future Homemakers of America; annual staff and paper staff; Glee Club, band, and choir; class plays and operettas; as well as leadership positions, serving as a class officer for three years. Of all the activities Dr. Lindman was involved with in high school, sports (especially basketball) was one of her greatest passions. She was a fierce competitor in intramural play at Pillager since extra-curricular women's sports was not a part of the PHS athletic program yet.
However, all those activities never hindered her passion for learning as she graduated as salutatorian in 1964. This passion took her to Bethel College after graduation where she graduated with a bachelor of arts degree in 1968. Her educational passion continued at the University of Minnesota where she earned a bachelor of science degree in 1971, a master of arts degree in 1978, and a Ph.D in 1994.
Dr. Lindman put both her passion for education and sports to work when she became a physical education instructor at University of Northwestern (UNW)-St. Paul in 1972. She continued in this position and coached volleyball, basketball, and softball there until 1981. She also served as the chair of the Physical Education Department and as women's athletic director from 1978-1984.
Her passion for education took a slight turn in 1985 when she was named the chair of the Department of Education at UNW. Here she was able to strengthen the education curriculum for student teachers and pass her passion for education onto young teachers who would influence future youth.
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Dr. Lindman's skills then led to more leadership positions. She was appointed dean of curriculum and instruction in 1994 and served in this capacity until 1998 when she became dean of academic programs. In this position, she was in charge of all departments at UNW. Dr. Lindman served in this capacity through 2005, and as of her induction, serves as UNW's Senior Academic Dean.
During her current tenure at UNW, Dr. Lindman has received numerous honors and awards: Coach of the Year, the Teagle Research Grant, Outstanding Leadership Award, and the Distinguished Service Award, to name a few.
Passion is a strong emotion, and Dr. Lindman's passion for athletics and education has led to an extremely successful career which positively influenced many young people through her teaching, coaching, and leadership. As one of her student teachers stated, "Coach Lindman helped me become a leader!"
As a successful educator, coach, administrator, and sports statistics entrepreneur, Dr. Barbara Lindman is a great role model for young people to follow their passions and to work toward their goals.
