DISTINGUISHED SERVICE

Induction Year: 2003 | Graduation Year: 1950

Robert Ellsworth Griest was born July 27, 1932. Mr. Griest completed grades one thru eight while attending Donnelsville Grade School where he was a very good student. He was selected fast pitch softball pitcher when he was a 6th grader for the 8th grade softball team and pitched a s a 7th and 8th grader as well.

Mr. Griest graduated from Olive Branch High School in May of 1950. He was elected president of his sophomore class and was vice president of his freshman, junior and senior classes. While attending Olive Branch he had lead roles in the junior and senior class plays. Mr. Griest was very involved in sports at Olive Branch. He was manager of the varsity basketball teams his sophomore and junior years. He played on the varsity team his senior year when he made several long set shots to win some games for the team. Mr. Griest was an outstanding pitcher for the Olive Branch baseball team. His league record for his senior year was 6-1.

After graduation from Olive Branch, Mr. Griest continued his involvement with sports for the Tecumseh Local School system. He was the Indian mascot for Coach Frank Shannon for the regional basketball tournament at the Cincinnati Gardens. He was president of the Tecumseh Athletic Boosters. Mr. Griest worked on building the baseball field, the track at Tecumseh High School, helped with concrete on the old Spitzer Stadium and served on the Tecumseh Athletic Hall of Fame committee.

Mr. Griest was also very involved in his community. He served as president of the Medway P.T.A., he coached Medway Little League Baseball teams, as well as Pee Wee Basketball. Mr. Griest served as president and held many offices in the Medlake Lions Club. For his outstanding service, Mr. Griest was awarded the Melvin Jones Fellowship from Lions International, as well as the Service to Mankind Award from the Sertoma Club.

Robert died on Jan 30, 2001. He had three children; Steve, Ron and Lisa.