HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-13-2005 2005 F. Jay Nimtz Award Honoree $OV T11
4
1
AW
r�yr PF,A`� a
"1
x
1865 .
Office of the Mayor
NEWS RELEASE
Tuesday,December 13, 2005
Contact: Mikki Dobski, Director of Communications& Special Projects, 235-5855 or 876-1564
2005 F. Jay Nimtz Award Honoree
The F. Jay Nimtz Exemplary Public Service Award was presented to Robert W. Hunt, at
the annual Award Ceremony and Reception on Tuesday, at the Charles Martin Youth Center.
This award was established to honor the late F. Jay Nimtz, a former U.S. Congressman,
long-time President of the South Bend Redevelopment Commission, and attorney and
community preservationist. F. Jay set the standard for community advocacy and commitment to
building a better South Bend. Created in 1989, the award is given by the City of South Bend and
South Bend Heritage Foundation to an individual in the community who has shown exemplary
public service through long and varied volunteer activities.
Robert W. Hunt,this year's honoree, has distinguished himself in volunteer service to the
greater South Bend community, for more than thirty years. As President and later owner of
Gilbert's Men's Clothing Store in South Bend, he demonstrated commitment to community
service through organizations such as Goodwill, United Way,Project Future, and Center City
Associates,who awarded him the "Long Term Public Service Award" in 1982. That year,Bob
became a founding member of Project Future, and served on its board until 1994. He served as
the head of the United Way Pacesetter Division, from 1985-86, and as Chairman of the
Centennial Campaign in 1987. In 1995, he became part of the Dream Team Mentoring Program
in South Bend community schools, and served as a mentor to young people until 2004. He also
worked on the Summer Lincoln School Renovation Project led by Digger Phelps. For his work
in our community,Bob received the Rotary Club's Local Community Service Award for Non-
Rotarians.
In 1995, Bob became a member of the South Bend Redevelopment Commission, and
served as its President from 1997 to 2004. While on the Commission,he was appointed to the
Blackthorn Joint Committee. In 2005,the Redevelopment Commission recognized Bob for his
service, stating, `Bob unselfishly gave of his time for the betterment of the community with no
concern for individual honor or recognition, and has played an instrumental role in setting policy
and negotiation through the details of many important projects."
Mayor Luecke commented, "Bob Hunt exemplifies the values of good citizenship
through his contributions to the community, both as a businessman and volunteer. We recognize
and thank him for his leadership and dedicated service to the community of South Bend."
Bob's fast job was in Toledo, OH, with LaSalle & Cook General Merchandise. He
moved to South Bend in 1953 to work at George Wyman & Co. in the boys wear department. In
1959,he moved to Indianapolis to work for William H. Block Co., in men's tailored clothing,
but returned to South Bend for good in 1974, as President of Gilbert's Men's Clothing Store. He
purchased the business in 1980, and ran it until its closing in 1994. Bob's retail experience was
invaluable in his work with Center City Associates,Project Future, the Redevelopment
Commission, and Goodwill,where he so generously shared his business and leadership skills
and experience, and dedication to community. A graduate of the University of Michigan,Bob
has four children—Henry, Bill,Leslie, and Cathy.
- 30 -