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Alumni Service Award
1st Annual Alumni Service Award
Sponsored by
Reifschneider Family Philanthropy Fund
Rob Reifschneider (pictured in the first row on the far right) is a World War II history buff and received a B.S. in Business Management from San Diego State College in 1957. After high school, Rob enlisted in the U.S. Navy Reserve and served for eight years.

In addition to his military service, Rob served many community service organizations in leadership positions, notably as President of the California Jaycees, Vice President of the U.S. Jaycees, President of the Western Liquid Gas Association, President of the Saint Francis Medical Center Foundation and President of Ironwood Country Club in Palm Desert, CA. In 2005 he founded the Sigma Chi/Betty Ford alliance. In 2018 Rob was elected to the Board of Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation. In this role Rob has currently established a strategic partnership between Hazelden Betty Ford and Mayo Clinic for addiction education of Mayo students and practicing physicians.
Reifschneider Family
Arch, Barbara, and Rob
Rob retired as Senior Vice President of Manchester Tank & Equipment Co., the largest North American manufacturer of propane cylinders and tanks. The family business started in 1946 with 10 employees, ending with 1,400 when sold in 1999. Rob and his wife Donna (pictured next to Rob in lavender) have been married for 62 years and proudly have three children - Roberta, Rhonda, and Eric  -  four grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.

Life-long friend and VHP Board member, Arch Rambeau (pictured left next to VHP Founder Barbara Hatch) introduced Rob (pictured right) to the benefits of Connecting Students with Veterans.

Eligibility

  • Previous student participant in a Veterans Heritage Project (VHP) school chapter

  • At least 5 years post-graduation from high school

  • Contributing to society through public service, the workforce, or volunteering 

  • Accepted nominations: self (preferred), from a former teacher, from a fellow VHP alumni

  • Ability to attend (in person or virtually) the 3rd Annual Saluting Stories of Service fundraising gala on March 6, 2021  

  • Submission materials are complete

Submission Materials

 all elements in one email to info@veteransheritage.org

Criteria and Deadlines

  • Submissions will be reviewed by the gala committee and VHP Board of Directors with the score based on:

    • Ability to describe positive impact from veterans, oral history, and/or VHP program activities

    • Demonstration of retained lessons, skills, traits, and/or abilities

    • Continued engagement in civic, community, or leadership activities

  • Submissions will be accepted between November 1, 2020 and January 2, 2021

  • Finalists will be contacted the week of January 11, 2021 with any questions, and a request to submit a 2-minute selfie video describing their most impactful VHP moment

  • Notification of selection will be made to all applicants by January 31, 2021

Award

  • Complimentary attendance for the selected alumnus/alumna and a guest at Saluting Stories of Service 

  • Recognition Award to be presented on stage at the gala 

  • Profile in gala materials, VHP social media outlets, and VHP’s Spring 2021 newsletter