Ralph Ziegenbein (W8PLP) and Don Devendorf (W8EGI), circa 1955.
Don brought this photo to each Ladies’ Night for the past several
years and now, thanks to Don’s Family, we will keep that tradition
alive, with a beautifully scanned copy, which is ready for this
year’s Ladies’ Night. If you want a copy of this photo, contact
Erv (W8ERV) and he can get one for you. There is much history in
this photo and it is the only photo we have of Ziegenbein, too. A
BIG thank you to the Devendorf Family for their help in preserving
a piece of CMARC history for future generations...
SEND YOUR NOMINATIONS TO:
Your Mailing Label should look like this:
Dan Dembinski KD8YDE
9749 Peacock Rd
Laingsburg, MI 48848
ATTN: Ziegenbein Nomination
OR
Email to: kd8yde@inbox.com
CRITERIA:
The final Chapter in this story, and one that is still being written today, was the creation of the Ziegenbein Award. This award is presented each May to the Full CMARC member who has contributed the most to Amateur Radio, in general and CMARC, in particular for the previous calendar year. The Ziegenbein Committee consists of recipients of the award for the previous three years.
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Ziegenbein Nomination Guidelines
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2022 Recipient Dale Cole, K8TS
2021 Recipient Michael Wetzel, W8QF
2020 Recipient Daniel Dembinski, KD8YDE
The nominee this year is a behind-the-scenes problem solver.
Dan volunteers resources and time whenever the need arises without a lot of fanfare. He has graciously taken over the morning drive net on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Dan also hosted last years Ziegenbein Award Banquet when we were unable to have the banquet elsewhere. He is eager to help the club in any way possible, unselfishly donating time and money. Furthermore, Dan has contacted several vendors for CMARC’s Hamfest in September.
Our 2020 Ziegenbein Award person is Daniel Dembinski, KD8YDE.
2019 Recipient Shannon Ranes, WA2NVK
The nominee this year is what I would call a “behind the scene person”.
She oversees all the contributing businesses for our Field Day operation. Besides many other things she also sees that all the food is always ready for us at every CMARC club meeting. Last, but not at all least, she is the CMARC club treasurer. I'm sure I am leaving out many other things she does with a smile on her face and a wonderful personality.
Our 2019 Ziegenbein Award person is Shannon Ranes, WA2NVK
2018 Recipient Tom Rocheleau, WA8WPI
Tom Rocheleau, WA8WPI, this year’s Ziegenbein award winner, truly represents what it means to be an active and involved member of CMARC and the greater amateur radio community.
Tom commits himself fully to CMARC and its activities by selflessly giving of himself and of his time, often behind the scenes, and without recognition of any kind. He is a man of integrity who stands by his word by showing up when he says he will and works hard without complaining.
Tom has served on the CMARC Board in various positions. He stepped up to become President upon the passing of our late President, Julie McLain, KB8ZXR.
Tom is our club’s Webmaster and works hard to keep our website current and full of engaging content. He is a Volunteer Examiner and is an Instructor for our Technician and General licensing classes. He is a key player on our antenna committee, who brings his wealth of knowledge of antenna assembly along with his ability and willingness to climb our towers.
On behalf of the Ziegenbein Award Committee, it’s with great pleasure that we present the Ziegenbein award to Mr. Tom Rocheleau, WA8WPI.
2017 Recipient John Doornhaag, KD8NNQ
For 2017 we recognize a Ham who has served on the CMARC Board of directors serving both as a director and an officer. He has invested much in time, energy, and resources during his time as a CMARC member. This member has taken initiative in bringing and welcoming new people into our hobby, including being the head VE for the Ingham County VE Group. This member has also put a lot of hard work into ensuring we had a smooth transition from our Salvation Army location to our current location at the Mason / Lansing Ambulance training center. Whether it was taking down our old tower installation, putting up our new towers and antennas, fabricating materials to keep costs minimal, bringing his own equipment to help in the installation, keeping up on the grounds of our club location, or even making sure that our new club area was well stocked and clean, this member has been there helping out.
With dedication not only to CMARC, but the entire Amateur Radio community, I am honored to be able to recognize a member who has done what he could, above and beyond the expectations, John Doornaag KD8NNQ as the recipient of the Ziegenbein Award for 2017.
Congratualations John!!
Dan Beuchert / WX8MOJ Ziegenbein Award Committee Chairman
2016 Recipient Leota Strobel, KD8SQD
Leota has not been a Ham for very long, but she helps out whenever she can. She brings food to the CMARC meetings and helps out in the kitchen. She supports the Club’s activities and events, whether they are regular meetings or special events. Please join us in congratulating Leota KD8SQD on this very special award.
2015 Recipient Chris Ranes, NS8Q
Our Ziegenbein winner is an Extra class ham who has been licensed for about 20 years, and works quietly in the background. This person enjoys contesting and has been on the CMARC Board. This person is always there to lend a hand, like helping with the website. He has a full-time job, goes to college, volunteers for his Church, and is married to Shannon/WA2NVK. He is also the Club Contesting Chairman, and the Club Station Manager. Last but not leaset, he is the Scope editor and spends time looking for interesting articles to put in the Scope.
The 2015 Ziegenbein Award winner is Chris Ranes NS8Q.
2014 Recipient Dan Beuchert, WX8MOJ
Don McLain KB8RAD presents the 2014 Ziegenbein Award to Dan Beuchert WX8MOJ with daughter Abigail at the 2015 Ladies Night Banquet on May 8, 2015.
[Kenneth Hazlett N8BVV photo]
As you all know, each year a member of the Central Michigan Amateur Radio Club is selected to receive an Award named in honor of Ralph Ziegenbein, W8PLP, who became a Silent Key in 1960. This Award is bestowed upon that member who we feel has done the most for Ham Radio in general and CMARC in particular in the past calendar year and who exemplifies the spirit of Ralph Ziegenbein. The choice was a difficult one, but we, the Ziegenbein Award Committee, have come to a unanimous decision and are here tonight to present the Award to the following Club member:
Compared to some, the recipient of the Ziegenbein Award this evening is a relatively “new” Ham, yet has had a positive impact on CMARC way out of proportion to their years. In that “brief” time, this Ham has served as a certified SKYWARN Weather Spotter, has been active at Field Day, has been a worker at our Hamfest, has volunteered for many of the different Public Service Events in support of their community, has been an active member of ARPSC and LCDRA, is the CMARC ListServ manager and web manager for the ARPSC, has helped teach CMARC’s Technician classes, was Co-Editor of our Club Newsletter (the SCOPE), and has done things as menial as setting up and tearing down tables and chairs at our meetings (even sweeping up the floor and taking out the trash afterward, being the last one to leave the building). This receipient has even shoveled and salted the sidewalk at our meeting place in Winter! But this receipient has also done something as lofty as serving on the CMARC Board of Directors (most recently as President). This person led CMARC with dignity and a cool head and was equal to any task or situation that presented itself.
By now you ALL know who I’ve been speaking about and as you can see, the role this person has played during the short time of his being a Ham Radio Operator makes him the undisputed choice for winner of the 2014 Ziegenbein Award!
Therefore, it is with great pleasure that the Ziegenbein Award Committee bestows CMARC’s highest and most prestigious honor upon this deserving Ham. Introducing the winner of the Ziegenbein Award for the past calendar year of 2014....Mr. Daniel M. Beuchert, WX8MOJ!
CONGRATULATIONS, DAN, on a job well-done!!
~Don McLain/KB8RAD, Ziegenbein Award Committee
2013 Recipient Jane Hosford, KC8FSK
As you all know, each year a member of the Central Michigan Amateur Radio Club is selected to receive an Award named in honor of Ralph Ziegenbein, W8PLP, who became a Silent Key in 1960. This Award is bestowed upon that member who we feel has done the most for Ham Radio in general and CMARC in particular in the past calendar year and who exemplifies the spirit of Ralph Ziegenbein. The choice was a difficult one, but we, the Ziegenbein Award Committee, have come to a unanimous decision and are here tonight to present the Award to the following Club member:
The recipient of the Ziegenbein Award this evening has been a licensed Amateur now for about 18 years. In that time this Ham has served as a certified SKYWARN Weather Spotter, has helped with Field Day, has volunteered for the many different Walk-a-thons and other events in the community, has served as a Director on the Board of CMARC for at least a half dozen years (as Secretary for at least two), has been the Cards and Flowers Chair for at least a half dozen years, has helped with the planning and implementation of the Ladies Night Banquet and the CMARC Hamfest in recent years, as well as, back in the ’90s, has also helped with kitchen duties at Club meetings and has been the Club Printer for years. There are many other things they have done to help our Club “behind the scenes”, but suffice it to say that whenever the call went out for help, they always responded with, “YES!!”
As you can see, the role this Amateur has played over the years in Ham Radio and CMARC makes them the undisputed choice for winner of the 2013 Ziegenbein Award! They have been passed over for this Award since the ’90s and we think it’s high time that they be acknowledged.
Therefore, it is with great pleasure that the Ziegenbein Award Committee bestows CMARC’s highest and most prestigious honor upon this deserving Ham. Introducing the winner of the Ziegenbein Award for the year 2013.... Mrs. Jane Hosford, KC8FSK! CONGRATULATIONS, JANE!! You have worked long and hard and are truly deserving of all of our appreciation for your dedication to our Club and Hobby!
~Don McLain/KB8RAD, Ziegenbein Award Committee
2012 Recipient John Hosford, KC8QZB
CMARC Members,
“Introducing the winner of the Ziegenbein Award for the year 2012.... Mr. John Hosford, KC8QZB!” John is a very humble and unassuming person, who doesn’t do anything for recognition or praise, but just because he wants to help! He truly has that “Ralph Ziegenbein” attitude, because after all, it’s not just WHAT a person does but WHY they do it that counts, right? John never complains or utters an unkind word; he is kind, patient and more than willing to help!
He’s only been licensed for about 12 years and shortly after getting his ticket, he became a part of CMARC. It was around 2004, when the Club was about to close its doors because of lack of interest and an ever-decreasing membership, that John first became involved in the leadership of CMARC. Since then, John’s been on the Board of Directors for EIGHT YEARS, serving as President for 2 years, Vice-President for 2 years, and Secretary for 4 years! Because of John’s dedication and the dedication of the other Board Members he’s served with, CMARC has continued to grow and flourish. Then, a few years ago, John got his Extra and immediately became an ARRL-Sanctioned Volunteer Examiner, actively serving with the “Ingham County VE Group”. Some other things John has done to his credit are:
- Working as Co-Chair of Field Day for 4 years and operating a Field Day Station for 6 years, donating his own equipment, trailer, and time.
- Certified SKYWARN Spotter
- Active for years volunteering his time, talents and equipment for the many Walk-a-thons he’s volunteered to help work.
- Elmer for Ham Radio
- When a Club antenna needs to go up or come down, you’ll always find John there...willing to help, and recently when CMARC needed a table for the Board in the Club Room, he bought one and then donated it!
- In 2011, at our first Trunk Sale, John helped haul things back and forth in his vehicle, with his gas, from the Club room. He sat up and tore down canopies, sat up tables and chairs and then at the end of the day, carried them back to where they belonged. He worked tirelessly and at the end of the day, when KB8ZXR (the Hamfest Chairperson) couldn’t take one more step, John was still asking what he could do to help her out!
CONGRATULATIONS, John! You are truly deserving of all our appreciation for your dedication to our Club and Hobby!
~Don McLain, Ziegenbein Award Committee
2011 Recipient Don McLain, KB8RAD
Don McLain (KB8RAD) was honored as the 2011 Ziegenbein award winner! Don has spent countless hours actively promoting and supporting amateur radio. He has served on the CMARC board for many years, including serving as Vice President and filling in wherever and whenever needed. Don founded the “Breakfast Club Net” specifically to encourage licensed amateurs to actually USE their license priviledges. Don also founded the “Lending Library”, “RAD’s Coffee Break”, the “Mid-Michigan Information Net”, and serves on the Ingham County VE Team. Congratulations, Don, and thanks for all that you do!
2010 Recipient Bob Berger, K8RDN
Bob Berger (K8RDN) was honored as the 2010 Ziegenbein award winner! Bob served for several years on the Board of CMARC and specifically worked as the Vice President. He has been actively involved in local, state, and regional traffics nets, helping hams be prepared for emergency traffic handling. We thank Bob for his service to the hobby, and to CMARC and are honored to announce he is now part of a historic group of Ziegenbein winners.
2009 Recipient Ronald Harger, WD8BCS
Ron Harger (WD8BCS) was honored at the Annual Ladies’ Night/Ziegenbein
Banquet. There was a large turnout for the dinner and the room erupted
into applause when Ron’s name was revealed. Shortly thereafter, his
Father Dan (W8BCI) posed for this photo with his son. It was nearly 45
years ago to the day that Dan was honored, making Ron the first second
generation Ziegenbein Recipient in the history of the award.
Congratulations, Ron! Well done...
2008 Recipient Richard McGuire, KI8C (SK)
Richard McGuire (KI8C) is congratulated by the 2008 Ziegenbein
Recipient, Roger Barnhill (AB8RX) at the June, 2009 CMARC meeting.
Dick wasn’t present at the Ladies’ Night celebration, which
necessitated a CMARC presentation, but we were ALL pleased to know
that Dick got it. WAY TO GO, Dick
2007 Recipient Roger Barnhill, AB8RX
Roger Barnhill (AB8RX) receives the 2007 Ziegenbein Award from Pam
Denomme (KB8PSF) at the Annual Ladies’ Night Banquet on Saturday, May
2, 2008. CONGRATULATIONS, Roger!
Who Was Ralph Ziegenbein (W8PLP) ?
Some members wonder for months, or even years about the annual award CMARC bestows on its most active and contributive member. Some even struggle with the pronounciation of the award’s name, but after reading this bit of information, you can amaze your friends and relatives with the story...and the man behind it.
Ralph Ziegenbein (pronounced Zig-en-bine) held Amateur Callsign W8PLP. He was popular barber in the Lansing area, with a shop located on Michigan Avenue, near Clemens and made a large impact on our Club. "He would ask if you were a Ham when you came into his shop", said longtime CMARC member, Currin Skutt (W8FSZ). "If you said yes, he would open a drawer and hand you a QST, if you said no, he would direct you to the magazines on the table."
There is little information on the man known affectionately as "Mr. Ham Radio" and he has no Family in the area, according to Currin Skutt, but he is remembered as the man who spearheaded the push to bring the Novice Class license to Amateur Radio. According to Currin, Ziegenbein came up with the idea, sent it to the Club Secretary and had it typed up for submission to the ARRL. "The League took it from there", Skutt remembered and Amateur Radio added the Novice Class to its list.
Ziegenbein was among the last of the sparkgap users in the Lansing area. Currin tells a story about how Ralph’s transmitter would weld the electric meter when he used his transmitter, which caused some problems with the electric company. A man of good humor, Skutt also told of Ziegenbein’s homespun phonetics. "He called himself a modular fruit stand", said Skutt. "Peaches, Lemons and Prunes".
W8PLP assured himself a place in the hearts of CMARC members of that day. Currin shared that Ziegenbein was a "man of his word. If he told you he would do something, you could expect a report on it at the next meeting". His dedication to the Hobby was apparent and Skutt also said the Lansing barber never missed a meeting.
A member of the Quarter Century Wireless Association (QCWA), Ziegenbein was traveling to the Upper Peninsula for a meeting in 1960 when he and his wife were involved in a terrible auto accident near Houghton Lake, Michigan. Ziegenbein died in the accident, but his wife was taken to a Grayling hospital with injuries.
Following his death, Currin tells that a group of Hams known as "The Lush Wells" (all CMARC members) decided to preserve Ziegenbein’s callsign, "If not for the Club, then for a worthy organization." After navigating a sea of red tape, the group’s efforts were rewarded and W8PLP was issued to CMARC for the station at the American Red Cross, Lansing Chapter shortly thereafter.
The final Chapter in this story, and one that is still being written today, was the creation of the Ziegenbein Award. This award is presented each May to the Full CMARC member who has contributed the most to Amateur Radio, in general and CMARC, in particular for the previous calendar year. The Ziegenbein Committee consists of recipients of the award for the previous three years.
Below is a list of all previous Ziegenbein Award Winners
| Year | Name |
|---|---|
| 2022 | Dale Cole K8TS |
| 2021 | Michael Wetzel W8QF |
| 2020 | Daniel Dembinski KD8YDE |
| 2019 | Shannon Ranes WA2NVK |
| 2018 | Tom Rocheleau WA8WPI |
| 2017 | John Doornhaag KD8NNQ |
| 2016 | Leota Strobel KD8SQD (SK) |
| 2015 | Chris Ranes NS8Q |
| 2014 | Dan Beuchert WX8MOJ |
| 2013 | Jane Hosford KC8FSK |
| 2012 | John Hosford KC8QZB |
| 2011 | Don McLain KB8RAD (SK) |
| 2010 | Bob Berger K8RDN |
| 2009 | Ronald Harger WD8BCS |
| 2008 | Richard McGuire KI8C (SK) |
| 2007 | Roger Barnhill AB8RX (SK) |
| 2006 | DeAnna Barnhill KD8BDI |
| 2005 | Don De Feyter KC8CY (SK) |
| 2004 | Joe Denomme N8VYS (SK) |
| 2003 | Gregg Mulder WB8LZG |
| 2002 | Jaymes Kenyon KC8DJH |
| 2001 | Mark Humphreys N8DEF (SK) |
| 2000 | J. Ervin Bates W8ERV |
| 1999 | Pam Denomme KB8PSF |
| 1998 | Julie McLain KB8ZXR (SK) |
| 1997 | Roy Uchigashima N8GAQ |
| 1996 | Pete Elrod N8EST (SK) |
| 1995 | Don Cote KD8BD (SK) |
| 1994 | Dick Pennington W8SFA (SK) |
| 1993 | Dick Thomas W8VJC (SK) |
| 1992 | Ken Kruger W8AAX (SK) |
| 1991 | Bill Chapman W8TJQ (SK) |
| 1990 | Don Devendorf W8EGI (SK) |
| 1989 | Inez Pearson KY8V (SK) |
| 1988 | George Wood K8GHX (SK) |
| 1987 | Don Tillitson WB8NUS (SK) |
| 1986 | Marion Stoner W8VWY (SK) |
| 1985 | John “Tiny” Hewitt K8DHN (SK) |
| 1984 | Rowena Elrod KA8OBS (SK) |
| 1983 | Linda Haigh KA8HHA |
| 1982 | Jere Haigh WA8BAP |
| 1981 | Harold Mahlke W8QG (SK) |
| 1980 | Beverley Stoner K8ZJU (SK) |
| 1979 | Lee Hamilton K8CDM (SK) |
| 1978 | Dale Moore K8YRD (SK) |
| 1977 | Larry Alman WA8QCW |
| 1976 | Lloyd Brox K8ZKM (SK) |
| 1975 | George Croze K8VKX (SK) |
| 1974 | Carl Hunsaker K8ILF (SK) |
| 1973 | Lyle Brooks W8TIJ (SK) |
| 1972 | John Sheldon WA8MVH (SK) |
| 1971 | Mert Henry K8ETU (SK) |
| 1970 | Wally Beck W8QQL (SK) |
| 1969 | Harold Bell WA8LAY (SK) |
| 1968 | Duane Cross K8ATU |
| 1967 | Dick Kelly K8BZV (SK) |
| 1966 | Ben Hassell W8VPC (SK) |
| 1965 | Dan Harger W8BCI (SK) |
| 1964 | Don Rickerd W8BQD (SK) |
| 1963 | Pete Gossett W8CKK (SK) |
| 1962 | Currin Skutt W8FSZ (SK) |
| 1961 | Gordon Maine W8OCK (SK) |