Dick Kottler Volunteer Award
Dick joined our volunteer family after retiring from a successful career in the aerospace industry and immediately made his presence felt: from welcoming guests, to leading students on engaging tours through our collections’ highlights, placing instruments into budding musicians’ hands in our musical petting zoos, as a last-minute elevator operator, envelope stuffer, and so much more.
About the Award
In 2018, the Museum lost a longtime friend, Dick Kottler, to cancer. Dick joined our volunteer family after retiring from a successful career in the aerospace industry and immediately made his presence felt: from welcoming guests, to leading students on engaging tours through our collections’ highlights, placing instruments into budding musicians’ hands in our musical petting zoos, as a last-minute elevator operator, envelope stuffer, and so much more. Wherever help was needed, he stepped forward.
In honor of Dick’s tremendous contribution to the Museum’s mission, a special seat forever bears his name in the CMA Theater, the Museum’s state-of-the-art venue for live concert performances. Any volunteer that donates 10 years and 1,200 hours of service in support of the Museum is bestowed the Dick Kottler Award in his memory, receives a special gold-embroidered volunteer vest, and their names are also enshrined in the CMA Theater.
Dick Kottler Award Winners
Not unlike Dick Kottler, these exceptional volunteers have touched all areas of the Museum. We are grateful for their donations of time, talent and heart, their remarkable dedication to caring for others, and for their unwavering support. Congratulations to all of our Dick Kottler Award winners!
2020: Lynn Nolan
Lynn Nolan has that special something that automatically makes you feel right at home and puts a smile on your face—whether enticing families to join fun artmaking programs, encouraging wonder in a child by exploring a musical instrument or the Museum’s galleries together, or ensuring that guests fully enjoy their visit. We’ve been fortunate to have Lynn on the Museum’s team since 2010.
2019: Bob Petersen
Since joining the Museum in 2008, Bob Petersen has been the epitome of kindness, warmth, and helpfulness. A captivating school tour guide and expert at extending hospitality to our guests, he even left his creative mark as a video camera operator as part of our “Capture” program back in the day.
2018: Jim Shaffer, Sallylou and David Cloyd
Jim Shaffer has been an integral part of the Museum since 2002. If there is an additional way Jim can lend a hand—create tour guide materials (check), lead as a volunteer captain (check), or help take photos (check that one, too)—he has identified it and taken it on. His love of music and joy in helping others is readily apparent, and everyone who meets him is richer for the experience.
Husband-and-wife team, Sallylou and David Cloyd, are volunteers extraordinaire. From leading VIP and school tours, to helping the CEO’s office compile board reports, Sallylou and David have been huge supporters of the Museum’s work since 2008, and we are big fans of theirs.