Dr. Richard Honer

Class of 1971 Dr. Richard (Rick) Honer, lettered in football and track at Ottawa Township High School, twice qualifying for the State track meet as a member of the mile relay team. He was also a member of the band, selected as a Boys State Representative, and was a member of the Civic Council and the National Honor Society. After graduation from OTHS, he attended North Central College where he also lettered in football and track. After graduation from North Central College he attended the University of Illinois Medical School, did his residency in general surgery in Grand Rapids, Michigan as part of Michigan State University, and continued with a fellowship in colon and rectal surgery. He continues his professional practice in Winter Haven, Florida at Gessler Clinic and Winter Haven Hospital, and has made annual pilgrimages to the Dominican Republic, performing surgeries there - at times more than twenty a day. He has received numerous awards for his humanitarian services, including a Distinguished Service Award from We Care, the Florida Medical Business Physician Humanitarian Award, an Outstanding Alumni Award from North Central College, and he was one of two co-winners of the publication The Ledger in its first Golden Garland Award for health care. Dr. Honer has also served as a very successful high school track coach and cross country coach at St. Joseph’s School and Lake Region High School, with his teams recently finishing as district champions in cross country, district runner-up in track, and with four former runners receiving college athletic scholarships. He has taken part in prison ministry, hosted foreign exchange students with his wife Andrea, and helped to raise money for the Multiple Sclerosis Foundation and other charities.