Rickmeyer awarded Thomas B. McRoberts Human Rights Award

Bill Rickmeyer of Morris was awarded the 2012 Thomas B. McRoberts Human Rights Award by the Morris Area Human Rights Commission on Tuesday.

Rickmeyer was nominated for the award by a group at Zion Lutheran Church of Morris.

2011 award winner Eugene Pasche said Rickmeyer was nominated for his work across the community.

Rickmeyer has been active with West Central Homes, the Stevens County DAC, Meals on Wheels, the VFW and Orphan Grain Train, said Pasche.

Through the VFW, Rickmeyer has also helped fund raise for local baseball programs and helped veterans by driving the vets van.

"I'm very proud to receive this," said Rickmeyer, thanking his congregation and members of the VFW for their support.

This award is given annually to honor the late Tom McRoberts, longtime Commission member, secretary, and regional member-at-large on the League of Minnesota Human Rights Commissions. According to Becki Jordan, Commission chair, "Tom's life of service to the Morris community as an educator, adviser and activist exemplified everything we think about when we think about human rights."

Established in 2007, the McRoberts Human Rights Award honors Morris area residents or groups who have shown a strong commitment to human rights locally.

Past recipients of this award have included Patty Kill (2006), Nancy Huot (2007), Bill Eckersen (2008), Sal Monteagudo (2009), Argie Manolis (2010), and Gene and Darlene Pasche (2011).