Staff Writer
Fort Fairfield may be a small community in a rural area, but over the years Fort Fairfield High School has graduated many remarkable individuals who went on to make a mark in the world. In order to honor these outstanding graduates, the Fort Fairfield High School Alumni Association inaugurated the Wall of Fame in 2006 with the intention of inspiring the students attending the junior/senior high school.
The Wall of Fame Selection Committee makes the selection from candidates based on their contribution to their professions and lifetime achievements.
The 2007 inductees were Wilda Burtchell Hudson (Class of 1936), Governor John Reed (Class of 1938), Larry Mahaney (Class of 1947), Robert Dorsey (Class of 1971) and Barbara Ashby Springer (Class of 1981).
Hudson achieved her doctorate in fine arts from the London Institute of Applied Research, and went on to win gold medals and ‘best in shows’ in international portrait artist competitions. Her name is listed in the Directory of American Portrait Artists, and her work has shown in Washington, D.C., New York City and in the Royal Portrait Exhibition in London.
Reed went on to receive a bachelors of education from the University of Maine and an LLD from the University of Maine and Ricker College. Reed served as governor of Maine from 1959-67, and was also president of the Maine State Senate, chair of the National Governor’s Conference and the National Transportation Safety Board. He also served as the U.S. Ambassador to Sri Lanka twice.
Mahaney received a bachelors and masters degree from the University of Maine in education. He won championships while coaching high school football and basketball. He is a member of the Maine State Sports Hall of Fame, and supports the Mahaney Baseball Field and Clubhouse at UMO. Mahaney also worked for 42 years as president, chairman and CEO of Webber Energy Fuels.
Dorsey received a bachelors degree from the U.S. Air Force Academy and an MBA from Golden Gate University. As a career Air Force officer, Dorsey commanded the top-rated logistics squadron in Europe, was a mission director in Desert Storm and flew F-4 G aircraft. He also led a Pentagon Joint Requirements Divisions for the Air Force Vice Chief of Staff and an Advanced Aircraft Survivability Division. He also worked in several other areas for the Pentagon that are still classified. In his current position, Dorsey is a corporate director of BAE Systems, a global defense company.
Springer achieved her bachelors degree from Northeastern University, masters from the University of Hawaii and PHD from the University of Texas. In further study, she received a masters of strategic studies form the Army War College. As a U.S. Army Colonel, she is the White House Physical Therapist and chief of physical therapy at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. Springer also holds the position of North Atlantic Regional Medical Command Physical Therapy Consultant, and has been recognized by Fox News as the Sunday Power Player of the Year.
The 2008 inductees were Herrick Charles Kimball, M.D. (Class of 1918), George W. Putnam, Jr. (Class of 1937) and John Gary Boyd (Class of 1947).
Kimball founded the Community General Hospital, and served the medical needs of Fort Fairfield for over 30 years.
Putnam retired from the United States Army as a major general and a master Army aviator with over 4,000 flight hours, 1,600 of which were in combat. Putnam also served as International Judge and Chief Judge Member of International Juries.
Boyd worked 25 years for the International Trade Commission, and was honored in 1990 by the International Trade and Tariff Commission with a Distinguished Service award.
Staff photo/Meridith Paterson
THE WALL OF FAME across from the main office of Fort Fairfield Middle/High School honors Tiger graduates who went on to make a mark on the world. Plaques describe each honorees contribution to their field and community.
