KEHS Memorial Scholarship Fund ’79 was founded to create a perpetual funding source that delivers annual scholarships to graduating seniors from Kenmore East High School.
Once funded at the targeted level, four to five $1,000 scholarships will be awarded annually. Those who donate to the fund will be able to contribute in memory of an individual, family member, teacher or school group, club or activity. A custom bronze casting identifying all participants and their memorials will be prominently displayed at Kenmore East.
While this is a Class of ’79 sponsored initiative, other classes and individuals are welcome to contribute to the fund. Anyone interested in promoting education for our future generations and investing in Kenmore East graduates are welcome to participate in the initiative. All participants will be able to customize a brass plaque that will be placed on our memorial. Our future generations will be the captains and stewards of this great place we call earth.
Let’s make a difference in the future of our KEHS graduates!
Board of Directors
Margaret Busch
Margaret is currently a personal stylist for luxury menswear company, J. Hilburn. She is based in Rochester, NY where she is involved in several non-profit organizations as a board member and committee chair. Margaret has chaired the Guilda’s Club gala and worked on many beautification projects in the Rochester area with the Garden Club of America. Margaret received a BFA from William Paterson University and is currently involved in producing a broadway play.
Robert R. Nelson, Ph.D.
Bob Nelson is associate professor and immediate past chair of the University of Delaware’s Department of Hospitality Business Management. He has served on the board of directors for several non-profit and for profit organizations including the Ronald McDonald House of Delaware, FTA, and Blue Hen Hotel, LLC. Dr. Nelson earned his Ph.D. from the University of Delaware. He is a graduate of Cornell’s School of Hotel Administration and has an MBA from Drexel University’s LeBow College of Business. In 2017 he was inducted into the Kenmore East Hall of Distinction.
Robert L. Dimmig
Bob Dimmig is a sales associate with CBRE-Buffalo, a leading commercial real estate firm in the Buffalo Niagara region. In that position, he represents sellers, buyers, landlords and tenants in real estate transactions and lends his expertise to multi-disciplinary consulting teams, including analysis of a proposed NFTA Metro extension to the Town of Amherst. He has delivered value to clients with thorough research and analysis, innovative approaches to complex issues, command of regional dynamics and emerging trends, a broad network of contacts, and a reputation for hard work and integrity.
Bob graduated from SUNY at Buffalo with a master’s degree in Urban Planning, and earned a bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering from MIT. Prior to his work in commercial real estate, he served as Executive Director of the Town of Tonawanda Development Corporation, contributing to planning studies, infrastructure development, site selection searches and financial incentive programs, including administration of a highly successful Empire Zone program.
Michael Mundt
Mike is the Director of Investments for the U.S. Naval Academy Alumni Association and Foundation, in Annapolis, Maryland. After graduating from the Naval Academy with a B.S. in Ocean Engineering, Mike reached the rank of Commander in a career of active and reserve service with the Navy. Outside the Navy Mike spent several years working with nuclear power plants as an engineer and then as a senior reactor operator before becoming a consultant to the utility industry. In 2001 Mike earned a second degree in accounting and became a Maryland licensed CPA and moved into a management role with the Naval Academy Alumni Association and Foundation. Mike is married to Vicky, a retired Navy Captain, and they have two grown sons. Mike also volunteers in financial roles with local non-profits and remains a fitness enthusiast.
Larry Coon
Larry graduated from Kenmore East as the proud President of his Class of 1979 and is a Board member of the KEHS Alumni Assn. He earned a B.S. Degree in Business / Marketing at SUNY Oswego in 1983.
He followed in his father’s footsteps enjoying a career of 30 years so far as an Independent Insurance Broker, representing Mass Mutual as his primary company, among others. Larry specializes in both the group and individual markets for Health, Life, Disability, and Long Term Care Insurance.
Larry gives back to his local and global communities as a devoted member of The Rotary Club of Kenmore, of which he is a Past President. He has championed several initiatives that have contributed to the sustainability of orphanages in Africa. Larry is committed to the healthy personal development of students and young adults. As Rotary’s District Rotaract Chairman, he offers guidance to college students (UB and others) who are engaged in community service. His focus is on building self esteem, moral character and leadership skills for our young professional leaders of tomorrow. Larry is also the advisor / liaison for the Kenmore Rotary sponsored Interact Clubs at both Kenmore East and West. He works hand and hand with these clubs to raise funds for Rotary International’s Polio eradication effort, through the Purple Pinkie Project.
As a resident of the Town of Tonawanda, he and his wife, Char, enjoy travelling, concerts and Buffalo Sabres games. They always look forward to seeing friends at the Brighton Field Days, aka Music Fest.
Karie Langer
After graduating from Kenmore East, Karie spent eight years in the retail drug industry as a retail manager for Leader and Brooks Drugs. Karie subsequently spent three years with the NYSTA in Newburgh, NY as a toll collector. After the birth of their second daughter, Karie transitioned to the home “office” as “Mom” and focused on the family until their youngest daughter was in first grade. At that time she joined their local school district as a library media specialist and a varsity coach where she continues today. Roger and Karie were prom dates and continued dating, until their marriage in 1984. They have three daughters, Kelly, Megan and Jessica and now have two granddaughters, Logan and Helen. Rasmus, their American Bulldog rescue, joined the family this past summer. In her spare time, Karie likes to golf and spend time with family and friends.
Roger Langer
Roger received a Master of Architecture degree from SUNY at Buffalo, is a New York State Registered Architect, and has been working more than 27 years with NH Architecture in Rochester, NY. The office specializes in high-end hospitality design and affordable housing developments as well as providing design services for more philanthropic endeavors such as the offices of the Bivona Child Advocacy Center and the House of Mercy Homeless Shelter. Roger married his high school sweetheart Karie Battel (KEHS 1979) and together they have three grown daughters and two granddaughters. When time permits he enjoys playing golf and playing fetch with his newest rescue friend Rasmus, an American Bulldog.
Terry Schwab
Terry spent 30 years in California’s Silicon Valley working in the High-Tech field for both Fortune 10 and small start-up companies. During that time, Terry held positions as a software developer, IT Manager, IT Educator and Software Sales Executive. In 2013 Terry and her husband retired to Bend, Oregon where she is on the governing council for various non-profits. Terry also volunteers doing music therapy with Alzheimer patients and is a self-professed Pickleball addict. Terry graduated from the State University of New York at Potsdam with a degree in Computer Science. While Terry was at Kenmore East, she lettered in Interscholastic Field Hockey, Volleyball and Softball and was a member of the KE Booster Club and National Honor Society.
Jeffrey J. Mueller
Jeff is a data science and analytics executive who practices in the consumer product marketing, retail and ecommerce verticals. Over his career, Jeff has been a leader in building the Advantage Solutions organization which currently employs 80,000 associates and manages $80 Billion in consumer product volume. Jeff’s expertise includes software and systems development which has delivered the SOE (Sales Opportunity Explorer) and COE (Causal Opportunity Explorer) platforms that are in use in the industry today. He is a graduate of the University of Rochester. Jeff serves in support of a number of non-profit organizations throughout Western New York. Jeff currently resides in Grand Island, New York with his wife Lisa, their daughter Devin, son Jeffrey and two dogs, Tanya and Paco. He was inducted into the Kenmore East Hall of Distinction in May of 2018.
Raul A. Rodriguez
Raul is employed at the State of Connecticut Attorney General’s Office after many years as an associate in private practice at Rudolph P. Arnold & Associates, in Hartford, CT. Raul works in the transportation unit, representing the State in eminent domain, foreclosure defense, claim’s commission and various other areas of the law.
Raul graduated from Cornell University with a BA in Government in 1979, and the State University of New York Faculty of Law, obtaining a juris doctorate in 1986. Raul is admitted to the bars of New York and Connecticut.
Raul has been involved in many leadership and volunteer activities. He has served as chairperson of the State of Connecticut, Latino & Puerto Rican Affairs Commission; chairperson of the Wethersfield Board of Education; and coaches his son’s travel soccer team. He is on the Board of the Wethersfield Historical Society.
Raul is married to Margaret J. Westwood, his wife of 16 years, and has two sons Raul and Alejandro. For relaxation and exercise, Raul enjoys yoga, walking, meditation, and weekly mass.