Royalton Public Schools

Class of 1964

Inducted May 2018

Joseph Cimenski, a 1964 graduate of Royalton High School, was the oldest child in a family of 13 siblings. Joe was a humble, fun-loving and hardworking young man. At a young age, his curiosity in mechanics and engineering was sparked working in his dad's mechanic shop.

While attending high school, Joe was successful in academics and activities. He was involved in band, class play, and was selected as Snow Ball King. He was a four year Letterman and captain of the  football and basketball teams. Joe had the honor of representing and playing in the Minnesota State
Basketball Tournament. Joe's leadership skills can be traced back to this time as he was Class President and Student Council President.

Following graduation from high school,Joe attended the University of Minnesota where he obtained a degree in Aerospace Engineering. While in college, Joe was recognized for his relentless persistence for learning as he often sought out professors until he understood the concepts of the course.

Joe enlisted in the Navy in 1969 and was a Battalion Commander. While in flight school, he was on the Captain's List for academic excellence for all three years. He graduated from Training Command School as #1 in his class. Jo received his Naval Aviator "Wings of Gold" in 1971 while he attended Naval War College in Providence, RI. Joe flew for the Navy for 22 years and retired in 2001 as a Captain (06) with over 30 years of continuous service

While continuing his service in the Navy, Joe was able to find his passion as he landed a career in aerospace. In 1974, he was hired at General Dynamics (G.D.) in San Diego. He was assigned to the Fluid Systems Design Group for the Centaur Rocket on the Atlas, Titan and later Shuttle Space Launch Vehicles. Joe was given two special assignments, to work on the classified Tomahawk Cruise Missile fuel system design and the NASA X-33 Systems Engineering. Joe's efforts at G.D. supported Mariner spacecraft to all the planets in the solar system and beyond. He had a hand in sending the only man made objects out of the solar system entirely into interstellar space. Joe's signature (literally) is on Mars aboard one of the Viking landers. As a natural leader. Joe was promoted and served as Chairman of the AlAA Liquid Rocket Propulsion Technical Subcommittee for two years. He was also a project manager. In this capacity, Joe was responsible for the performance of several contracts for propulsion and propellant feed components. He oversaw contracts worth over $375 million for Centaur main rocket engines alone. 

In his career in aerospace, Joe was much decorated as he received three extraordinary achievement awards: Excel Award, Special Recognition Award from General Dynamics and Nominee for the General Managers Award, the GD's highest honor. From 1987-1990,  Joe's first four years in the Program management, his overall performance evaluation grade was "exceptional," the highest possible at General Dynamics.

Joe retired from the Navy in 2000 and from Lockheed Martin, previously General Dynamics, as Senior Engineering Specialist in 2012 after 38 years of continuous service. Joe and his wife Melanie reside in Lone Tree, Colorado. His children are Jason, Joshua, Jessica, and Jennifer.

Tim Prom

Class of 1987

Inducted May 2017

Tim Prom was the fifth child in a family of ten brothers and sisters. The Don and Mary Prom family lived west of Bowlus on a family farm and instilled the values of hard work, commitment, and being a team player. These attributes helped mold Tim to be the educational leader that he is today.

Tim Prom graduated from Royalton High School in 1987 where he took an active role participating in a multitude of activities that school had to offer. He honed his athletic skills and excelled in football, basketball, track & field, and baseball. Tim earned nine varsity letters and seven All-Conference awards. Tim was involved in the arts through Band, Jazz Band, Choir, Drama Club, and participated in the school plays. He was also a class officer in Student Council, in the Letterman's Club, and the Homecoming King.

Following graduation from Royalton High School, Tim attended Brainerd Community College, now Central Lakes College, where he continued his involvement in a positive school culture. He played football as quarterback from 1987-1989, was captain of the team, participated in RC Cola Bowl game, and played basketball. Additionally, he was Secretary of the Student Senate and was the Homecoming King. In 1989, Tim chose to attend St. Cloud State where he obtained his Bachelor's Degree in Education. During this time, he shifted his contributions from athlete to coach of Royalton's freshman basketball and high school track & field teams. 

Tim spent the first 14 years of his career as a teacher of 4th, 5th, and 6th grade students, starting out in Fairmont, MN. However, he spent the majority of his teaching career at Buffalo Middle School with 6th graders. He was awarded the Leadership in Educational Excellence Award (LEEA) in 2006. Beyond the classroom, he offered his coaching abilities to all levels of middle and high school athletics in football, basketball, and track. Some of his discus and shot put throwers advanced to the state tournament. A personal highlight for Tim was the opportunity to coach all three of his daughters from 3rd to 8th grade in basketball and softball. 

Tim advanced his own education by achieving his Master's in Education Degree in 2001 and his Administrative Degree in 2005, both from St. Mary's University. He served as the Assistant Principal of Pinewood Elementary School in Monticello, MN for the 2006-2007 school year. He moved to the Annandale district to be the Head Middle School Principal in 2007, and has been there ever since. In administrative role, Tim has implemented a number of building wide programs geared toward closing the achievement gaps to help students of AMS become more successful. He initiated and helped write a grant to obtain district-wide technology in 2008, outfitting all classrooms in the district with SMART boards, projectors and other technology. This, and many other efforts were honored by awarding him the 2009 Outstanding Service Award. Most recently, Tim was selected as the Central Division Principal of the year in May 2015 by the Central Minnesota Association of Secondary School Principals. This award lead to him receiving the statewide Secondary Principal of the year award, which he humbly accepted in January 2016. He is the first to give credit to the team of teachers, administrators, and students he works with as well as his family for their continued support. His colleges value his personal approach to leadership. He encourages his staff to continue to develop their teaching skills, take risks by trying new teaching methods, work together, and to make decisions based on the best interest of students. His open-door policy sets the tone for a positive school culture. In March of 2017, Tim accepted the position of Superintendent of Annandale Schools and will begin this role in July 2017. 

Tim and his wife Becky reside in St. Augusta and they have three daughters, Alexis, Abby and Grace.

Tom Sobieck

Class of 1968

Inducted May 2016

Tom Sobieck was a 1968 graduate of Royalton High School where he excelled in football, basketball and baseball. Tom was very involved in the arts. He was a member of the chorus and played baritone in the band and marching band. Tom also spent some time on stage and played the role of a bum in a production by O. Henry, titled Full House, in his senior class play. Following graduation from Royalton High School, Tom attended Bemidji State University where he obtained a degree in Earth Sciences. 

Upon graduation from college, he joined the Navy and was commissioned as an Ensign O-1 in March 1973. Tom received his Naval Flight Officer Wings later that year and scored high enough in performance in the Training Command to be selected to fl-y F-4J Phantoms. Tom’s first deployment was to Vietnam and at the time of his assignment the war was winding down. Tom transitioned to flying the F-14 A Tomcat and made several deployments to places such as Eastern Pacific, Sea of Japan, South China Sea, Indian Ocean, Persian Gulf and the Arabian Sea.

In Tom’s climb up the Navy ranks, he was selected as an instructor in the Navy Fighter Weapons School (Top Gun) and was promoted to the Executive Officer position. Tom also showcased his skills as an enemy (Soviet) in the little Black F-5’s for the movie Top Gun. In 1989, he was selected for Command of a Fleet Fighter Squadron as well as the VF 51 (The Screaming Eagles).

Tom attended US Navy War College in Newport, Rhode Island receiving a Master of Arts in National Defense and Strategic Studies. He was promoted to bonus Command of the Navy’s largest F-14 Fighter Squadron VF-124. To give you an idea of this position, Tom directed this squadron that had fifty two aircraft and more than twelve hundred men and women assigned to train new Fleet Replacement Pilots and Naval Flight Officers.

Tom retired from the Navy with twenty five years of service in August of 1998. In describing his achievements in the Navy, Tom has this to say, “None of the aforementioned accomplishments would have been possible without the foundations for study and discipline I learned during my years growing up and being educated by those hard working and little appreciated teachers and administrators at Royalton High School.”

Tom is very proud of his heritage and upbringing and it can be summed up in this quote: “I have had the opportunity to see thousands of people in my lifetime and very few individuals measure up character wise to those of us who had the good fortune to attend a school like Royalton.”

Tom and his wife Bonny live in Paseo Cardiel, California. They have two children, Kristen and
Erin and spend as much time as they can with their five grandchildren.

Jennifer Fussy

Class of 1988

Inducted May 2015

Jennifer Fussy was a 1988 graduate of Royalton High School where she excelled in athletics and in the classroom. Jennifer was a driven student athlete and never backed down from a challenge. Jennifer was a very decorated student athlete, she was a two-time letter winner in Cross Country, and a four-time letter winner in basketball. She also was an All Prairie Conference award winner her sophomore, junior and senior year and was All State Honorable Mention in Class A. However, Jennifer’s true passion really came to life on the baseball diamond.

Jennifer entered onto the varsity baseball team her freshman year and played stints at
first base where she proved to be an excellent fielder. She made her debut on the mound as a relief pitcher during her freshman year against Grey Eagle. In her sophomore year, she started as a pitcher and was able to record her first W. According to the MSHSL, to this date
Jennifer is the only female to record a pitching win in a high school baseball game. Jennifer
went on to letter in baseball her freshmen, sophomore, and junior year. In her senior year,
Royalton fast pitch softball program was in its second year and Jennifer was able to participate with her female peers and she earned All Prairie Conference honors. Her athletic achievements and involvement in student activities did not stop there. She was selected as the female Athlete of the Year her junior and senior years, President of the Letterman’s Club, Student Council Representative, Art Club Member, and earned numerous scholarships.

Following graduation from Royalton High School, she attended St. Cloud State University where she majored in Special Education. Jennifer graduated in May of 1994 and accepted a job at Mora Public Schools that fall. While at Mora Public Schools, she has taught Special Education in all levels and facets for their K-12 education. Jennifer directs the Focus program for Mora High School which she developed in 2008 and modeled after other successful programs supporting the at-risk population. In this capacity, she and the Mora ALC staff have worked together to provide interventions and support to the at-risk students improving attendance and graduation rates. On a daily basis, one can witness her effectiveness with this population of students. She is truly interested in each student’s needs and interests, forms lasting relationships, and because of this, her students work hard to pass classes and stay in school.

Jennifer recently completed her educational administration certification with hopes of becoming a school leader. Jennifer has numerous positive attributes; many of those she will admit were instilled during her involvement in athletics at Royalton High School. She is described by her coworkers as being exceptionally organized, a strong team player, a motivating leader who effectively communicates and collaborates with teachers, staff, and parents. Jennifer is an avid outdoorsman, and volunteers in the summer recreation youth baseball and softball programs. 

She and her husband Troy, reside in Mora, with their children, Riley and Rita.

Eric Albright

Class of 1992

Inducted May 2014

Eric Albright, a 1992 graduate of Royalton High School, was highly involved in many aspects of student life. In the performing arts and activities he was a member of student council, involved in Letterman’s Club, the school newspaper, knowledge bowl, band, National Honor
Society, drama and One Act Play. At the District 19 One-Act Play competition in 1992 Royalton earned its first District Championship and Eric was voted District 19 Outstanding Male Actor. Eric was also the valedictorian of his graduating class. Albright was also a Royalton four-sport athlete. He was four-year letter winner in football, basketball, and baseball. During his junior and senior years, he was letter winner in track-and-field and was a member of the Prairie Conference champion 4 x 1 relay team. For three years, Eric earned All-Conference honors in baseball and basketball and was voted Conference MVP in basketball his senior year. During Eric’s high school career along with a strong group of fellow athletes they were the nucleus of an era in which Royalton transitioned from second division programs to conference powers. As a result of hard work, dedication, and perseverance, Eric was a member of five conference championship teams.

After graduation, Eric attended Hamline University in St. Paul, Minnesota, receiving his Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Studies Education in 1996. While at Hamline, he was a two-year captain of the university's baseball team leading the Piper pitching staff- in wins in 1995. After graduation Albright attended the Jim Evans Academy of Professional Umpiring and worked in the Gulf Coast League as a professional umpire during the 1997 baseball season.
He was recruited, and strongly encouraged to continue his aspiring umpiring career, but he
instead decided to pursue a future in education and coaching instead.

Eric was hired as a Social Studies teacher in the fall of 1997 at Midland High School in Midland, Michigan. He continued his love of baseball as he joined the baseball coaching staff- the following spring. Coach Albright took over as the head baseball coach of the Midland High School Chemics team in 2003, and over the past ten years his Chemics have an overall record of 253-92 including three Saginaw Valley League titles in (2005, 2010, 2012), and one district championship in (2010). Saginaw Valley is considered the strongest high school baseball conference in all of Michigan. Since 2003, his teams with Eric at the helm have won at least 20 games in every season.

Eric inspires athletes to play baseball beyond high school and as a result, seventeen of his Chemics have played college baseball, including five at the Division I level. He served as the varsity assistant coach on their 1998 state championship team and was the junior varsity baseball coach from 1999-2002. Eric has served as Athletic Director at Midland High School since 2010, and continues as the head baseball coach for the Chemics. He and his wife Monique, live in Midland, Michigan with their children, Josh, Maya and Carter.

Jerry Goedderz

Distinguished Educator (1975-2008)

Inducted May 2013

Jerry Goedderz was an admired educator for the Royalton Elementary School for 32 years. Jerry attended high school at Crosby-Ironton and after graduation he enrolled at Brainerd Junior College and played college baseball for two years. He transferred to St. Cloud State University and graduated with a BS in Elementary Education in 1975.

Jerry began his teaching livelihood in Royalton in 1975 where he taught 4th and 6th grades during his career. In 2006, he was named the Wal-Mart Teacher of the Year. Jerry’s calling to serve extended far beyond the classroom as he coached varsity baseball for six years and junior high boys’ and girls’ basketball for a number of years.

Jerry has many notable achievements. He spearheaded the establishment of the Nature Center at the Elementary School. Jerry, along with fellow colleague Linda Martin, began the first of many Deep Portage trips for the 6th grade students. Even after his retirement, Jerry continued to support many school activities in countless ways. As a distinguished community member, he has led many initiatives and worked to establish many activities for elementary aged students, especially the “Take a Kid Fishing” program, which takes place in both winter and summer.

Jerry has been an active member of the Royalton Lions for 30 years, a Melvin Jones Fellowship recipient, and credited for taking the lead role in the formation of Platte River Day in 1994 after attending a Blandin Leadership Program. Jerry serves as a substitute teacher and bus driver for the Royalton School District and is a member of the Royalton American Legion. He is on the board of directors for the Pine Country Bank and Friends of Crane Meadows National Wildlife Refuge. In his spare time, Jerry has been very active in his outdoor activities such as fishing, hunting, volunteering and umping baseball and softball games. Jerry has been married for 30 years to Audrey, a fellow educator at Royalton Elementary, and has two children, Josh and Andrea, who are graduates of RHS.

Lieutenant Jane Therese Paradeis

Class of 1981

Inducted May 2013

Jane Paradeis was a 1981 graduate of Royalton High School where she excelled in athletics, academics, and music. Jane graduated second in her class, and throughout her high school career, she earned letters in basketball, cross country, and baseball. However, her true athletic love was softball.

In 1981, Royalton High School did not have a girls’ softball program, so Jane decided to try and earn a spot on the boy’s high school baseball team. She was quite successful, earning a starting position on the varsity team all four years of high school and consequently lettering all four years. Jane’s accomplishments and activities extended far beyond the diamond and the playing court. She was a class officer, involved in Letterman’s Club, school newspaper, band, choir, drama, National Honor Society, 4-H, and voted by her classmates as most witty and clever.

Following graduation from Royalton High School, she attended Moorhead State University where she began studies majoring in Electrical Engineering. Jane played softball for the Moorhead State Dragons for a year and then transferred to the University of Minnesota, where she was a walk-on to the softball team and played softball for the Golden Gophers for one year. Jane graduated from the University of MN in 1986 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering.

Upon graduation from the University of Minnesota, Jane accepted a commission with the United States Navy and entered Aviation Officer Candidate School (AOCS). She trained and flew the CH-46 Sea Knight helicopter. In August of 1989 Jane was promoted to Lieutenant while on tour in the Red Sea. In January 1990, Jane was awarded the Navy Achievement Medal. This award is given for meritorious service based on sustained performance or special achievement of a superlative nature. Jane’s life was cut short when her CH-46 crashed on June 22, 1990 six miles off the Virginia coast. She, along with three other crew men, perished that day. However, her love for life, her competitiveness, and her commitment to God and country remain in those she left behind. In honor of Jane, the Naval Air Station at Norfolk dedicated their main softball field as Paradeis Field in her memory.

Mary Jane and Carolyn DeZurik

Community Members

Inducted May 2012

Mary Jane and Carolyn DeZurik were born and raised on a farm east of Royalton. Joe and Mary DeZurik raised seven children including a son and six daughters who all loved to play and perform.

Mary Jane and Carolyn used a mix of trick vocalizations, wildlife sounds, and yodels to create a distinct sound. They began their professional journey by winning various amateur competitions in central Minnesota. The DeZurik sisters were selected to perform on KSTP radio in St. Paul and to perform at the Morrison County Fair where they were noticed by a performer on the National Barn Dance Radio and Stage Show. They were invited to perform and were eventually hired by the performing company. The sisters traveled to Hollywood and appeared in a movie called “Barnyard Follies”.

Carolyn and Mary Jane were hired by Purina Mills and appeared in advertising and soon found themselves performing weekly at the Grand Ole Opry and on television shows called Midwestern Hayride and National Barn Dance.

Mary Jane died in 1981, sister Lorraine DeZurik (Kosny) who performed with her sisters passed away in May 2009, and Carolyn DeZurik (Gill) passed away at the age of 90 in 2009.

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Information on the DeZurik Sisters obtained from Hillbilly-music.com.

Lieutenant Colonel Quinten Miklos

Class of 1983

Inducted May 2012

Lieutenant Colonel Quinten Miklos is a 1983 graduate of Royalton High School. Upon graduation he attended the University of Minnesota before receiving an appointment to the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs. He graduated with a Biology degree and a rank of 2nd Lt.

Miklos earned his silver wings and chose to be a B-1 pilot. His service in the military earned him many promotions and many diverse assignments as an active pilot, flight training instructor, director of operations and trainer for B-1 combat units. Lt. Colonel Miklos retired after 21 years as a command pilot with 4,700 flying hours, 569 combat hours, and 2,400 instructor hours.

He has been awarded the Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters, the Air Medal with three oak leaf clusters, the Joint Services Commendation Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster, Meritorious Unit Award, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Valor and six oak leaf clusters, the Combat Readiness Medal with six oak leaf clusters, the Southwest Asia Service Medal and the Afghanistan Campaign Medal.

Lt. Col. Miklos was the pilot in command of the B-1 flyover of the 2006 Rose Bowl NCAA Championship Football Game.

Distinguished Educator (1963-87)

Inducted May 2012

Mary Rose was a beloved teacher in the Royalton School District for many years. Mary 
attended high school in Mitchell, SD and then became a student at Dakota Wesleyan University from 1945-1949. It was there that Mary met her husband, Don, who was also a teacher and coach.

In 1963, the Rose’s were hired in Royalton, with Mary being hired as an English teacher. For over 20 years, Mary was highly involved in the school district teaching English, physical education, directing school plays, accompanying the band and choirs at competition, cheerleading, scorekeeping, and a wide variety of other activities in the school. Mary would be credited with beginning and developing the elementary music program in Royalton.

Mary retired from Royalton in 1987 and then spent a lot of time volunteering in the school and community. Mary even volunteered at an elementary school in San Juan, Texas when she and her husband would go south for the winter months. Mary and her late husband, Don, lived on a farm south of Royalton with their children David, Dan, Dana, and Julie.

Jeff "Olsen" Oelrich

Class of 1988

Inducted May 2011

Jeff Oelrich is a 1988 graduate of Royalton High School. At RHS, Jeff was involved in yearbook, Student Council, Jazz Band, Spanish Club, Knowledge Bowl, was the President of the National Honor Society and was the class salutatorian. Jeff attended St. Cloud State University and became involved in mass communications and radio broadcasting.

Jeff began deejaying at KCLD, BOB 100FM, WLOL, and hosted the KOOL 108 Morning Show as Jeff Olsen. He was also involved in television where he did anchor work in Alexandria, Rochester, and with KARE 11. Jeff wears many hats at KARE 11 including reporting for the Sunrise Morning Show and is used as an anchor and host for various TV and news broadcasts. Jeff met his wife Julianna while working in Rochester and together they have 4 children. Jeff has been honored by the Minnesota Broadcasters Association, The United Way, Habitat for Humanity, Salvation Army, and the MS Society. Jeff was named the Twin Cities Radio Personality of the Year in 2005.

Jerry Popp

Class of 1970

Inducted May 2011

Jerry Popp is a 1970 graduate of Royalton High School. He was involved in Basketball, Track, and Football during his time at RHS. Jerry went on to Moorhead State University and then into the teaching profession in North Dakota and Minnesota, where he has become a legend in the coaching ranks.

Jerry started the cross country program in Bowman, ND in 1975 and went on to win 24 of the 26 state championships in girls cross country and has won 15 state championships with the boys program, including eight runner-up finishes. He has earned National Coach of the Year Honors 27 times and in 2005 was inducted into the National High School Sports Hall of Fame. He is also an inductee of the North Dakota Coaches Hall of Fame. Jerry also started the Speech program at Bowman, and has guided its speech team to 20 state titles.

He has been married to his wife Barb for 35 years and have three grown children who have all followed their father's footsteps into the high school and college coaching ranks.

Leo Wenner

Class of 1954

Inducted May 2011

Leo Wenner graduated from Royalton High School in 1954. He began driving bus for the Royalton School District in 1959 and in 2011, 52 years later you can still find Leo behind the wheel of a school bus. To put this in perspective, a senior about to graduate from RHS in 1959 at the age of 18 would most likely be retired today and would be looking forward to their 70th Birthday in the next few years!

Leo has driven our busses as a route driver and has transported many teams and activity busses over the years. The average school bus route in the Royalton District is approximately 38 miles. If you average this route twice a day for approximately 170 days per year for 52 years, the mileage adds up to almost 672,000 miles in a Royalton school bus!

Leo has transported his, and his wife Joan’s, children and grandchildren as students at RHS.

Duane Bobick

Class of 1968

Inducted May 2010

Duane Bobick is a 1968 graduate of Royalton High School where he excelled in three sports. Ironically, it was a sport that he did not play as a high school student that brought him worldwide fame, boxing. Bobick was a boxer who became the World Amateur Heavyweight Champion in 1971, and also won the gold medal at the 1971 Pan American Games. He fought for the United States at the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich, West Germany.

Bobick had an outstanding amateur career that included a win over Cuba's famous Teófilo Stevenson at the 1971 Pan American Games. Bobick took down another future champion when he defeated Larry Holmes to be named to the 1972 U.S. Olympic boxing team.

Bobick trained with and was managed by heavyweight legend Joe Frazier. He had a tentative contract with Muhammed Ali in 1976, but the fight never materialized. He took a 38-0 record with 32 KO's into the ring against powerful Ken Norton, who was later the heavyweight champion, but lost the bout. Bobick’s pro record was 48-4 with 42 KOs with wins over several notable contenders.

Bobick returned to Minnesota and worked in heavy equipment work before a machine accident nearly killed him in 1997. After that he went into coaching and public speaking, using his celebrity to encourage and help others. Bobick was a 1997 Acts of Kindness: Governor's Volunteer Award Winner for his service as a volunteer which included school, church and hospital volunteer work. In November 2006, Bobick was elected as a city councilman in Little Falls. Duane has been married to his wife Debi for over 20 years, they have two daughters.

Jim Langer

Class of 1966

Inducted May 2010

Jim Langer is a 1966 graduate of Royalton High School and a 1970 graduate of South Dakota State University. Langer was an all-conference football and baseball player at SDSU and was an All-American in baseball in 1969.

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Upon graduating from SDSU, Langer was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the U.S. Army. He was signed as a free agent by the Cleveland Browns in 1970, but was released to the Miami Dolphins where he played for 10 seasons, including the perfect 17-0 season of 1972. He was the MVP of the Miami Dolphins in 1976, selected as an All-Pro 5 times, and played in the Pro-Bowl 6 times in his career. Langer played in three Super Bowls and was elected on the 1st Ballot in 1987 to the NFL Hall of Fame. Langer has also been named to the South Dakota Hall of Fame, and has been recognized as a distinguished alumni and member of the SDSU Hall of Fame.

Since his pro football career, Langer has amassed ten years of commercial banking experience, 19 years in the truck equipment business owning his own business, Custom Truck Accessories. He is a past board member of such organizations as the United Way, Red Cross, and Boy Scouts of America. Langer is a retired captain of the US Army Reserve. He has been married to his wife Lynda for 41 years and has 4 children and 3 grandchildren.

Kenneth McGonagle

Class of 1948

Inducted May 2010

Ken McGonagle is a 1948 graduate of Royalton High School. He graduated from the University of Minnesota in 1952, completed his master’s degree in education at the University of Illinois in 1958, and fulfilled his doctorate at the University of Indiana in 1970.

McGonagle lettered as a starting pitcher for the Minnesota Gophers in 1952 and 1953. He also was a two-year letterwinner for the Gophers Basketball team in 1950 and 1951. McGonagle played for the state champion Little Falls Red Sox while also playing minor league baseball for the Duluth Dukes from 1952-1954. During this time, McGonagle was signed by the Cincinnati Reds organization.

After his collegiate days were over, McGonagle became a teacher and coach and worked in Texas and Illinois. As a coach, he won a Texas state basketball championship at St. John’s Private School. After moving to Evanston, Illinois, McGonagle began coaching baseball and soccer, where he won 11 league championships in baseball as well as 10 league championships and 4 state championships in soccer. He was the Baseball Man of the Year in Illinois in 1963. McGonagle is a member of both the Illinois High School Baseball and Soccer Coaches Hall of Fames. McGonagle and his wife Cele now live near Cushing, but spend their winters in much warmer Tucson, Arizona.

Matt Palmer

Class of 1984

Inducted May 2010

Matt Palmer graduated from RHS in 1984. Palmer was a two-time state wrestling champion for Royalton and was a leader on three conference championship teams in the early 1980’s. He was named the team’s MVP two times during his high school career. Palmer finished his high school career with 121 wins and still holds three school wrestling records.

Palmer attended North Dakota State University where he starred in wrestling as a two-time Division II All-American and was the National Runner-up in his weight class during his junior year. NDSU lost only three duals while Palmer was a member of the team.

Matt graduated with a teaching degree from NDSU and has continued to share his love of wrestling as the head wrestling coach at Monticello High School for the past 16 years.

Curt Sauer

Class of 1962

Inducted May 2010

Curt Sauer is a 1962 graduate of Royalton High School where he was a star in three sports. He was a member of the Royalton 1961 State Tournament Basketball team. After graduating, Curt was signed by Billy Martin who was working for the Minnesota Twins organization. Curt played five years in the Twins minor league system including stints at Orlando, FL, Nelson, NC, Wisconsin Rapids, WI and played Triple A Ball for the Minnesota Twins Denver, Colorado affiliate.

Curt’s wife Peggy was also a graduate of Royalton High School. Together they have parented one of the most highly decorated athletic families in central Minnesota. Craig, their oldest son, was the 1990 Minnesota Prep Football Player of the Year before going on to star as a linebacker for the Minnesota Gophers. He began his career with the Atlanta Falcons, playing in the 1999 Super Bowl against the Denver Broncos. Craig finished his pro career with the Minnesota Vikings.

Sons Kent, Curt, and Michael have all played at some level of professional hockey. Currently, Curt and Michael play for the Phoenix Coyotes and the New York Rangers, respectively. Daughter Kelly was a stand-out athlete at the College of St. Benedict. Curt enjoys hunting and fishing with his wife and family and lives in Avon, Minnesota.

Class of 1970

Inducted May 2010

Schultz graduated from RHS in 1970, before there were any girls sports being played in
Royalton. She was active in almost every other activity offered including drama, debate, band, choir, and cheerleading. Schultz was also a member of the National Honor Society and a delegate to Girls State in 1969.

After high school she went to St. Cloud State to pursue a career in teaching. While at SCSU,
women’s sports were beginning to emerge. Schultz was active in volleyball where SCSU captured the 1973 intercollegiate state tournament championship, badminton, basketball, and softball where she posted a .538 lifetime batting average. Kathleen played recreational softball for many years and has participated in national tournaments in Salt Lake City, UT, Duluth, MN and Savannah, GA.

Kathleen has been a teacher in southern Minnesota since 1974 and has coached in the United South Central school district and in the Mankato area schools with a great deal of success. She was the Mankato Public Schools Teacher of the Year in 2005-06. 

Schultz has been an official for the MSHSL State Volleyball Tournament for 8 years. Schultz is a member of the Mankato Softball Players Association Hall of Fame and a 1989 inductee to the St. Cloud State Athletic Hall of Fame. Schultz has two sons and a grandson and lives in North Mankato.