Hank Sauer is he latest Kennewick Kiwanian to be honored with the rare and coveted title Kennewick Man of the Year. He was named to this honor at a gala evening celebration February 23, 2009. Hank is the second educator to be honored following in the footsteps of Kennewick Kiwanian Don Anderson, former Kennewick school superintendent, who was named Kennewick Man of the Year in 1984.
Hank who has never had any children of his own is known to thousands of Kennewick school youngsters from kindergarten to high school graduates as a teacher, mentor, provider and a great sto ry teller
He’s also known to their parents as a man who will go that extra mile to help his community, whether it’s working to feed the hungry or helping Kennewick be a better place to live though his term on the Kennewick Park Board.
Hank may be diminutive in size but he’s a giant when it comes to his community service where he not only puts in his time, but his money and in some cases his physical strength. Hank is a happy fellow and he makes all around him happy too.
A graduate of Washington State University Hank has served as president of the WSU College of Education Alumni Board.
The true mettle of the man is that anyone he has come in contact with in education, whether it is former student, coworkers or administrators speaks fondly of Hank Sauer and his contribution to their life.
In fact Hank has spent most of his adult life giving back to Kennewick. And this continues today through his appearance as the narrator of the Polar Express, a Christmas story that he repeats to hundreds of school children each holiday season. He is so much in demand that he has to juggle his other life around holiday time so as not to disappoint any youngsters.
A dedicated Kennewick Kiwanis member Hank is a past president, past Kiwanian of the Year and personally donated $10,000 to the Kennewick Kiwanis Foundation scholarship fund that goes to Kennewick youngsters bound for college. Hank serves as the Kiwanis liaison to find worthy seniors for consideration of scholarships.
He was awarded the George F. Hixson medal, one of Kiwanis International’s highest awards for community service.
