HERMANN — A civic-minded strident supporter of the local schools Friday afternoon was inducted into the Gasconade County R-1 School District Bearcat Memorial.

The late Robert (Bob) Bohl, a former member of the R-1 Board of Directors, is the 2024 inductee into the Memorial.

Superintendent Geoff Neill during the induction ceremony noted that Bohl had an intense commitment to the local schools, the students and the community of Hermann.

“His dedication to our kids and to the community was evident,” Neill said. “Our community and schools are better because of his contributions.”

Bohl was a vocal supporter of the Bearcats.

“Many will remember Bob and how his voice carried as he cheered on the Bearcats,” said R-1 Board President Jeff Englert.

Bohl’s daughter Mary Goth said her father would not have been at a loss for words if he could have attended the induction ceremony.

“My dad would have loved to give a speech here,” she said.

She described her father someone who truly believed in being involved in his community and contributing to help make it better.

“He was a believer in being active in your community and giving back,” she said, in speaking to the audience gathered in the Hermann High School Auditorium for the induction ceremony prior to Friday night’s high school football game in Bearcat Stadium.

Her father, she said, was optimistic about not just the student-athletes he enjoyed watching play and supporting, but all students.

“He saw the potential and felt the inspiration in our local youth,” Goth said, describing him as “a shining example of a flashing billboard for the Bearcat spirit.”

Bohl’s civic involvement included membership in the Hermann Jaycces and the Hermann Lions Club.

HHS Student Body President Kennedie Witthaus opened the inducation ceremony by welcoming the crowd and leading it in the Pledge of Allegiance. The Hermann High School band performed the National Anthem.

After the ceremony in the Auditorium, the Bohl family members and those attending the event went to the stadium where a brick inscribed with Bohl’s name was placed in the memorial.

The Bearcat Memorial was established in 2007 as a way to honor people who have made a significant contribution to the R-1 schools and the county seat community. It is the highest honor that can be bestowed by the R-1 board.

Past inductees include: 2007 – Carol Binkholder, Charlie Page, 1st Lt. Steven Bezold and Lance Cpl. Erik Heldt; 2008 – Dr. James T. Shaw; 2009 – Jody Stiers-Herbst and Matt Lampkin; 2010 – G.W. Eying, Imogene Story Meyer, Nan Sellenschutter and Don Gosen Sr.; 2012 – Elmer Danuser, Art Draper and Earl Hauser; 2013 – Chris Arand and Elvira Bohl; 2014 – Sylvan “Bud” Krone and Leroy and Janey Lerbs; 2015 – Jana “Missy” Fionk and Leon Toedtmann; 2016 – Clara Eitmann Messmer and Anna Kemper Hesse; 2017 – Ralph Sellenschutter and Charles Eitzen; 2018 – Kenneth Lerbs and Landon Grosse; 2019 – David Schulte; 2020 – Lloyd Stock; 2021 – Dorothy Heying; 2022 – Gerald F. Engemann; 2023 – B.A. Wagner.