By JOHN EBY
Dowagiac Daily News

Retired Union High School guidance counselor Bob Wagel, a 16-year county commissioner, including six years through 2009 as chairman of the Cass County Board of Commissioners, Thursday became Dowagiac Rotary Club’s 101st Paul Harris Fellow.

The community service award was first given in 1977 to Mayor Graham Woodhouse.
The award is named for Paul Harris, who founded Rotary with three business associates in Chicago in 1905.

The fellowship was established in his honor in 1957 to express appreciation for each $1,000 contributed to Rotary Foundation humanitarian and educational programs.

Wagel, accompanied by his wife Jane, who taught at Kincheloe Elementary School, graduated from Morehead State University with a degree in political science and history.

He also holds a master of arts degree in educational administration from Eastern Michigan University.

Wagel is a nationally-certified counselor and licensed professional counselor in Michigan.

He is also a certified clinical social worker who volunteers with the American Red Cross as a disaster mental health therapist.

The pilot retired from the Air Force Reserve after 25 years of service.

Wagel also has chaired the county Board of Public Works for the past 15 years.

He served on the Tri-County Head Start Board for the past 20 years.

Bob is a member of the Woodlands mental health board and a Dowagiac Rotarian for the past 10 years.

In his spare time, Wagel enjoys flying his Cessna 152. His airplane weathered Monday night’s hail storm in Wayne Township. He is an avid reader and has spent several years researching his family history. He is about to publish his findings.

He enjoys planning trips and traveling to various parts of the world. Wagel belongs to the Sauk Trails Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution.

“Jane and I have found in our travels, from Alaska to Australia, that Rotarians accept you and bring you right into their meetings. Wherever we go, Rotarians are always friendly,” he said.