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The Kutztown Area School District Education Foundation, now in its 20th year of service, held its annual meeting on January 7, 2021, when the Board approved the 2021 Distinguished Alumni of the year: Mr. Erik Oberholtzer, KAHS Class of 1986 and Major David W. Saul (U.S. Army Retired), KAHS Class of 1956, awarded posthumously.
Mr. Erik Oberholtzer, KAHS Class of 1986
Erik Oberholtzer is a chef, an entrepreneur, and the co-founder of Tender Greens. He earned his undergraduate degree in Psychology at Temple University and a degree in Culinary Arts at Johnson & Wales in Providence, Rhode Island. Erik spent over a decade working as a chef in some of the finest restaurants in the world.
In 2006, Erik co-founded Tender Greens to provide improved access to seasonal home cooking through supply chain innovations and culinary talent. In 2009, Chef Oberholtzer founded the Sustainable Life Project, a six-month, paid internship program offering culinary job training at Tender Greens for at-risk former foster youth in the United States.
In 2017, Erik partnered with the Crop Trust on “The Spice of Life Project” to reintroduce forgotten foods and heirloom seeds back into the food system. Erik also served as a member of the Food Forever Foundation and speaks internationally on a variety of important topics. Chef Oberholtzer is a member of the J.I. Rodale Leadership Society and was named to the Rodale Institute’s Board of Directors in 2019. Mr. Obertholtzer will speak at the KAHS 2021 Commencement Ceremony.
Major David W. Saul, KAHS Class of 1956
Major David Saul is being honored posthumously. After graduating from Kutztown High School in 1956, David Saul began studies at The Pennsylvania State University, but was so affected by the untimely death of his father in 1958, that he left college and joined the Army. He went on to serve with distinction for 20 years in both the active and reserve forces in the fields of Artillery as well as Research and Development. He was parachute qualified and served with Special Forces and the 101st Airborne Division. He was a Vietnam Veteran and the recipient of the Bronze Star. His other personal decorations include the Air Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, and the Army Commendation Medal.
Following deployment to Vietnam, he returned home to complete his Bachelor of Science degree at the University of Nebraska in 1971. He also earned a Master of Arts degree from Central Michigan University in 1978. Major Saul was buried at Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors in February 2020.
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