Neighborhood Honors Local Man for Community Service

Local resident Neil Gerl has been serving his community for more than 25 years, for which he was honored with the Sendra Community Service award at the annual Loch Alpine Improvement Association meeting Wednesday.

For the past seven years, it has become a tradition for the association to honor someone or some group in the Loch Alpine neighborhood who has made a positive difference.

Loch Alpine, which has more than 440 homes divided between Scio and Webster townships, has existed for more than 50 years. For many years, residents Bob and Pat Sendra served the neighborhood as both administrators and volunteers. Bob was a leader of the association board and then served as community manager for many years, while Pat was the bookkeeper.  

"Bob kept the place rolling and Pat kept the finances in order," said Peter Logan, association board member. "Between the two of them, it was a huge convenience so that the board could focus on more strategic things."

In 2005, a few years after the Sendras retired from their positions, it was decided to pay tribute to the couple for their years of work and volunteering, and an award was launched in their honor. Gerl is the 2011 recipient of the Sendra Award for his years of service with the Loch Alpine Sanitary Authority (LASA), which manages water and sewage for the neighborhood.

Gerl also was a Sendra Award winner in 2006 for his work on the neighborhood's Lakes Committee. Responding to a vigorous round of applause, Gerl told the packed audience at Webster Township Hall that he loves the community of Loch Alpine.

"I don't want Loch Alpine to change, and I want to keep it at least as good as it is," he said.

Logan said he was happy to see Gerl receive the award.

"Neil truly is interested and dedicated to the success and future of the neighborhood," Logan said. "He was our board representative to LASA for nearly 25 years. Nobody can compare to Neil's incredible knowledge and insight into the system."  

Logan said that Gerl is an example of someone who has put great time and insight into community service, and he credited Gerl's wife, Judy, for her support.

"Living in Loch Alpine is a joy to just about everyone, and it is easy for an individual to find ways to help preserve that quality of life," Gerl said. "We have a community spirit that is strong, and it centers on preserving the atmosphere and the physical attributes that we have now. Bob and Pat Sendra did more than anyone I know to preserve the quality of life in Loch Alpine. Each individual who is awarded the Sendra Award used their personal strength effectively to follow the Sendra model."