Rogers Walk of Fame
The 2006 inductees into the Rogers High School Walk of Fame have something more than their high school in common. All four are civic-minded, with years of giving time to the Spokane Chase Youth Commission or volunteering at Big Brothers and Sisters or Meals on Wheels.
That generosity was one of the criteria when Donald “Don” Simonson, Henry “Hank” Coplen, Richard “Dick” Atwood and Richard “Rich” Tucker were selected by a committee of active alumni officers to join the 108 other Walk of Fame members.
The Walk of Fame inductees will be honored at a homecoming convocation on Friday, where they will be escorted into the auditorium at 1:15 p.m. They also will be introduced during halftime of the homecoming football game at Joe Albi Stadium as the Pirates take on Mt. Spokane High School at 5:45 p.m. Friday.
For more information about Roger’s Walk of Fame and to see the biographies of all the inductees, visit: www.spokaneschools.org/Rogers/alumni/WOF.stm.
Here’s a look at the 2006 inductees:
Donald Simonson
Simonson graduated in 1944 and taught at West Valley High School for 28 years, where he also coached various sports.
He was in the Navy Air Corps from 1944 to 1946 and attended Whitworth College in 1946 and 1947, where he played football and baseball. He attended Eastern Washington University in 1958 and 1959 and received a degree in secondary education.
Simonson married fellow Rogers graduate Shirlee Engle and the two have been married for more than 58 years.
The couple volunteered for Meals on Wheels for 16 years and a cancer drive for 18 years. Simonson helped organize Rogers’ alumni monthly luncheons since 1946 and has been a member of the committee that organizes the five-year, all-school reunions.
Henry Coplen
A 1945 graduate, Coplen was a teacher, coach and school administrator in Washington state for 37 years. He received his bachelor of arts degree from Eastern Washington University and his master’s from Whitworth College.
Coplen is a member of the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association coaches Hall of Fame, the Northwest Association of Community Colleges coaches Hall of Fame, the Inland Northwest Hall of Fame and the Inland Empire Softball Hall of Fame. He’s also been active in Big Brothers and Big Sisters and the Special Olympics.
Coplen has been the director of the Washington state B basketball championships.
Richard Atwood
A 1955 graduate and senior class president, Atwood continued his education at the University of Wyoming, where he received a bachelor of science degree in civil engineering with a minor in architecture. Atwood is retired from his engineering company, Atwood-Hinzman Inc.
Atwood has been involved with the Boy Scouts of America, where he served as vice president in charge of camping on the Boy Scout Council Executive Board. He also was appointed to the Spokane Airport Board 11 years ago and has donated his time as board chairman and as a member of the engineering committee.
Atwood also worked on the Bridge Building contest at Rogers and often speaks to the students.
Richard Tucker
Tucker graduated in 1963 and currently is an associate dean for student-funded programs at Spokane Falls Community College.
He received a master’s degree in Education in Athletic Administration from Seattle Pacific University and Bachelor of Fine Arts in physical education and economics from Western Washington University.
Tucker’s community services include Spokane Chase Youth Commission member, Spokane School District Equity Council member, South Hill and Hillyard Kiwanis Service Club member and Rogers class of 1963 40-year-reunion planning committee.
Tucker also is an avid runner and won a gold medal at the National Masters Outdoor Track and Field Championships held in Honolulu earlier this year.
The lifelong athlete is retired from the Naval Reserve/Supply Corps and holds the rank of captain.