WHEREAS, the Steuben County Legislature sponsors a Steuben
County Hall of Fame through its Steuben County Hall of Fame Committee for the
purpose of honoring those persons who have enhanced the County of Steuben and
presenting an opportunity for the public to learn more about these persons; and
WHEREAS, said Steuben County Hall of Fame Committee has
solicited nominations from citizens of Steuben County for the induction of
three (3) persons into the Hall of Fame, selected this year; and
WHEREAS, nominations were allowed to be made by anyone;
there were no limits on the number of nominations; the nominees could be living
or dead; male or female; could have been born elsewhere as long as they
enhanced the name of Steuben County; may have helped developed the County; may
have been Steuben County natives who gained fame elsewhere, or those who should
especially be remembered; and
WHEREAS, the Steuben County Hall of Fame Committee is
authorized to be comprised of seven (7) persons representative of the people of
Steuben County, has reviewed the nominations submitted and has recommended the
names of three (3) persons to be inducted into said Hall of Fame this year.
NOWTHEREFORE, BE IT
RESOLVED, that this Steuben County Legislature does hereby
receive, approve, ratify, and confirm the selection and recommendation of the
Steuben County Hall of Fame Committee for honoring and inducting into the
Steuben County Hall of Fame the following named persons:
1. Betty and Patrick
Monahan – Patrick Monahan was born November 10, 1920 in Brooklyn, New York.
He moved to Bath, New York following his honorable discharge from the U.S. Army
after serving during World War II. During his tour of duty, he was assigned to
the amphibious force attached to the U.S. Navy Atlantic Fleet. He was wounded
twice and received numerous medals, including the Purple Heart. Both Patrick and
Betty were active volunteers; she volunteering for 42 years, and he for 60
years at the Bath VA Hospital. Mr. Monahan was a member of the Disabled
American Veterans from 1945 – 2011 and served as local commander from 1948 –
1985. He created the VA Wall of Fame, which was the first of its kind in the
entire national Veterans Affairs system. Qualifications for induction are 10
years and 10,000 hours of community service.
Among numerous recognitions, Mr. Monahan was inducted into
the Bath VA Wall of Fame for his more than 22,000 hours of voluntary service.
His wife, Betty also was recognized by the New York State Department of Veterans
Administration Voluntary Services for her 10,000 hours of volunteerism and was
posthumously inducted into the Bath VA Wall of Fame for her 42 years of service
to the Bath VA. Patrick and Betty both received the James H. Park Achievement
Award for their 20,000 hours of voluntary service with Veterans Affairs.
Additionally, they both also received a Certificate of Merit
from Senator John R. Kuhl, Jr. for their years of volunteer service. In 2002,
Mr. Monahan was honored as the Outstanding Disabled Veterans of the Year by the
Veterans Administration Voluntary Services. In 2012, he was recognized as a
“Hometown Hero” in Bath for his service during World War II. In 2009 the
Jefferson Award Selection Committee recognized Mr. Monahan for his leadership
efforts with senior citizens in Steuben County.
2. Roy W. Robinson,
M.D. – RoyW. Robinson, M.D., affectionately known as Doc Robinson, was a
family physician in Wayland, New York. He graduated from Hornell High School at
the age of 15. He attended the University of Buffalo before being accepted into
the University of Buffalo Medical School where he graduated on June 7, 1950.
Following graduation, he married Marilyn Pfaff before beginning his internship
at Millard Fillmore Hospital in Buffalo. Following his internship, he served
two years in the U.S. Air Force based in Newfoundland. Upon his discharge from
the Air Force in 1953, Doc Robinson came to Wayland to set up his private
practice. Doc Robinson’s medical career spanned 42 years during which time he
delivered 2,258 babies. He officially retired in 1995, but continued to make
house calls until 2005. Not only was he dedicated to his medical practice, he
also believed in service to his community. He served as Steuben County Coroner
from 1957 until 1969. He served as Health Officer for the Town and Village of
Wayland for 25 years. He served as the Wayland Central School Health Officer
for 35 years, and upon his retirement from that position, received a letter of
thanks and congratulations for his years of service from Governor George
Pataki. He was an active member of the Wayland Rotary Club from 1954 until 2009
and received the Paul Harris Award in recognition of his life spent in “Service
Above Self”. Doc Robinson was involved with the Boy Scouts for many years and
in 1994 received the Thunderbird District “Good Scout” Award. In 2008, he
received the “History Maker’s Award” from the Wayland Library where he served
as a member of the Board of Directors.
3. Hannah Simpson
Spencer – Hannah Simpson Spencer was the daughter of Hernando C. Simpson
and Charlotte Kinney. She married Adoniram Judson Spencer and they had six
children. Mrs. Spencer was one of the first women to graduate Alfred University
in 1864. She earned a license to practice medicine from the NYS Eye and Ear
Infirmary and later opened a sanatorium in Jasper using electricity, baths and
rest. Mrs. Spencer was the President of the Jasper Women Christian Temperance
Union for 20 years and was also a member of the Woman’s Missionary Society of
the Canisteo River Baptist Association for 28 years.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the Agriculture, Industry and
Planning Committee and the County Historian, for and on behalf of the Steuben
County Legislature, shall take all necessary steps and ceremony to appropriately
enroll and enshrine the names of the inductees into the Steuben County Hall of
Fame; and be it further
RESOLVED, a certified copy of this resolution shall be
forwarded to the County Historian and to any other persons as may be directed
by the County Historian.
