The Highland County Historical Society proudly announces the 2019 inductees into the Highland County Hall of Fame.

• Jack I. Hope. Upon receiving a degree in aeronautical engineering, Jack Hope turned his love of flying into a stellar career in the aircraft industry. He went on to develop advanced aircraft engines, nuclear aircraft engines, advanced military engines and technology support for the White House.

He became part of an international joint venture to develop and produce a new commercial aircraft engine, the CFM56, one of the most successful commercial aircraft engines in history, still in production today. Returning home to Highland County upon retirement, Jack has remained very active in local community revitalization, genealogy and historical preservation.

• Wilfred R. Konneker (1922- 2016). Following the death of his mother, young Wilfred Konneker, was raised in Greenfield, Ohio, at the home of his grandmother and aunt. Upon graduation from McClain High School in 1940, he attended Ohio University graduating in 1943 with a degree in chemistry and math. During World War II he worked on the Manhattan Project.

He was a pioneer in the nuclear medicine field, using radioisotopes for diagnosis and therapy. He founded and co-founded many companies. He and his wife, AnnLee, were major philanthropists, endowing the Konneker scholarship each year to a McClain High School graduate, many programs at Ohio University and St. Louis and the historical society’s Stone School.

• Arthur Milner (1902-2004). Arthur Milner, grew up in Leesburg Ohio on a family farm which he continued to operate for may years. Following graduation from Wilmington College, Arthur became a well known educator, legislator, farmer and leader in church, civic and Masonic organizations.

He served as a teacher, coach, principal and superintendent in area schools. During his eight years of service in the Ohio House of Representatives, representing Highland County, Arthur served on the education sub-committee that established the Ohio State Board of Education as an elected body. He helped to reorganize the Highland County fair and was appointed to the first Ohio Exposition Commission. He was very active in the Lions Club until in his late 90’s. He was a member of the Masons and, along with his wife Helen, was very active in Eastern Star, serving in many capacities.

• Willard Ray Parr, “Will”. Since his 1956 start at Hillsboro’s WSRW Willard Parr has been called the “Voice of Southern Ohio.” Until his retirement in 2018 he informed and entertained hundreds of thousands of listeners throughout Highland County and Southern Ohio with his personal broadcasting style.

During 62 years on the air he was constantly seen doing remote broadcasts at local businesses, interviewing local elected officials and citizens, serving as master of ceremonies at parades and other public events, d’jing teen dances and helping raise money for local charities.

The four recipients will be honored at an induction ceremony on Sunday, August 18 at 2:00 at the Presbyterian Church in Hillsboro, followed by a reception at Highland House. The public is cordially invited.