Robert “Ham” Schirmer was honored with the Jack Clark Philanthropy and Service Award at the McLaren Northern Michigan Foundation annual donor appreciation event on July 17, 2017. The award was presented to Ham by Elise F. Hayes, Chair of the McLaren Northern Michigan Foundation Board.
“We are honored to present this award to individuals who have made exceptional contributions to McLaren Northern Michigan Foundation,” said Moon Seagren, McLaren Northern Michigan Foundation Vice President and Chief Development Officer. “These dedicated leaders and extraordinary philanthropists provide the Foundation with direction and serve as its ambassadors throughout our northern Michigan communities.”
Ham has been a Foundation donor for over twenty years. When he decided to live on Burt Lake full-time, he wanted to become more involved in the local community. Ham is an active member of many northern Michigan organizations and joined the McLaren Northern Michigan Foundation Board in 2009. He is a past Chair and current Vice Chair.
“I am honored to be this year’s Jack Clark Award recipient,” he said. “The caliber of past recipients is impressive and I am flattered to be considered among them. I’m grateful to the Hospital and Foundation staff, my fellow Trustees, and especially the Foundation’s donors who share my passion for this Hospital."
“Ham is always willing to speak with his friends about supporting the Foundation,” added Hayes. “He stresses that achieving growth, recruiting the best doctors, and buying new equipment would be impossible without Foundation support. Ham’s enthusiasm makes him an invaluable member of the Foundation Family.”
Recipients of the Jack Clark Philanthropy and Service Award are nominated by a McLaren Northern Michigan Foundation Board ad-hoc committee. Past recipients include Elise F. Hayes, Thomas Fairbairn, Sr., Lawrence Buhl, Jr., Miles Trumble, MD, Walter Fisher, John Demmer, and The Offield Family Foundation including James S. Offield and the late Paxson H. Offield.
For information about McLaren Northern Michigan Foundation, please visit nmh-foundation.org or call (231) 487-3500.
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About Jack S. Clark
The late John S. Clark was an attorney and civic leader. Born in Bad Axe, Michigan, he practiced law in the Detroit area until moving to Petoskey in 1946 and sat on the Foundation board from 1985 - 2003. His strong sense of civic duty and deep commitment to helping the people in our communities made him a legend to many. McLaren Northern Michigan Foundation was one of many organizations that benefited from his involvement and philanthropic support. Jack’s warm smile, gentle manner, and endless generosity will always be remembered.