The highway U.S. 33 in Elkhart County will be renamed to honor the late state senator from Goshen, Marvin Riegsecker, after state Senate action Monday.
The section of U.S. 33 through Elkhart County will be named “The Marvin D. Riegsecker Memorial Highway” to honor Riegsecker, who served in the Senate from 1987 through 2008. The Indiana Senate unanimously approved a resolution.
Riegsecker died Sept. 30, 2008 after an 18-month battle with cancer. His widow, Norma, and their two sons and family were present in the Senate Monday when Marvin was honored.
Before serving five terms in the state Senate, Riegsecker was Elkhart County coroner from 1976 to 1984 and served one term as a County Commissioner from 1984 to 1987. He was a Millersburg native, the first one in his family to graduate from high school and then completed a five-year program in pharmacology at the University of Colorado.
He married Norma, a Goshen native, in 1958 before they moved to Colorado for seven years. They returned to Elkhart County, where he began his long career as a pharmacist, then winning his first elected post in 1976.
The resolution to honor Riegsecker was sponsored by the senator who replaced him, Carlin Yoder, Goshen.
“Marvin was a real statesman, someone who put in years of work,” Yoder said today. “Not just down here, but also at home, I heard so much about what he did in representing District 12. I thought it was pretty important to honor him now.
“It was a neat little ceremony,” Yoder added. “It was fairly emotional. He was a good man. He had a lot of integrity.”
Former State Rep. John Ulmer said the highway naming is a great honor and well-deserved.”
Ulmer, who served 10 years in the state House, said Riegsecker helped him when Ulmer first went to Indianapolis.
“He showed me the ropes,” Ulmer said. “He was a good, dear friend. I was pleased for him. He was such a servant for Elkhart County.”
Ulmer pointed out that Riegsecker was coroner when the Elkhart County Prosecutor, Michael Cosentino, sued Ford Motor Co. in the “Pinto trial” 30 years ago. Ulmer was named a deputy prosecutor for that trial and worked with the county coroner during the 11-week trial.
David Hess, Elkhart County auditor, served four years on the county commission with Riegsecker and remembers their cooperation well.
“I thought an awful lot of Marvin,” Hess said. “We worked closely together. I had all the respect in the world for him. He and I kind of hit if off. We had total trust in each other’s judgement — that builds a good working relations with total trust.”
The highway will be named to honor Riegsecker from the St. Joseph County line to the Noble County line.
Similar action was taken a few years ago to honor the late Rep. Philip Warner by naming Ind. 4 in his memory.
Rep. Jackie Walorski, Jimtown, said she thought the highway naming is a great tribute to Riegsecker and the work he has done.
“Before I ran for office, I met with him and he said he wanted me to help in his fight for highways,” Walorski remembered.
She said he was instrumental in obtaining funding for U.S. 33 and also supported the plans to improve U.S. 31. She said the “massive legislation” were priorities for Riegsecker and her.
“It is a lasting memento,” Walorski said. “I am grateful they did that.”
Local News
U.S. 33 renamed for late Sen. Riegsecker
- Local News
-
-
New school start times, breaks proposed
It looks like some notable changes may be in store for the Goshen Community Schools calendar next year.
-
Homes struck by bullets in drive-by
Goshen police began investigating a drive-by shooting in Twin Pines Mobile Home Park Friday afternoon when suspects shot bullets into two homes there at 3:33 p.m.
-
COLUMN: It’s a new year for all you gardeners
Believe it or not it’s countdown time until spring— maybe I’m stretching it a bit but planting time at all the greenhouses is about to begin. Cuttings will be arriving in just over a month and that means activity.
-
New home may not work for operation
GOSHEN — If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.
-
After 27 years, Greencroft's vice president of mission and quality steps down
GOSHEN — Connie Garber, Goshen, who has served as vice president of mission and quality at Greencroft Communities, retired Wednesday after 27 years with the organization.
-
Trolley routes changed after Concord stops paying its share
Concord Township has withdrawn its financial support of the Interurban Trolley, which means routes will be adjusted in the coming months.
-
‘48 Days’ author to speak
The author of the best-selling “48 Days To The Work You Love,” Dan Miller, will be in speaking in Warsaw at 6 p.m. Feb. 12.
-
School employees get first look at clinic
GOSHEN — Employees with Goshen Community Schools got their first look at the corporation’s new on-site Health and Wellness Clinic during a special open house at the facility Thursday afternoon.
-
Community rallies behind Sam Gewe during cancer fight
Randy and Michelle Grewe have happily supported their 13-year-old son, Sam, as he excelled at school, at baseball, basketball and football.
-
Comedian Daniel Tosh coming to the Morris April 18
Will South Bend get a Web redemption?
- More Local News Headlines
-
Killer of Fla. Girl Found in Landfill Gets Life
Army Orders Bradley Manning Court-martial
Cancer Charity Revives Breast-screening Grants
Heavy Snowstorm Hits Colorado On Its Way East
2nd Teacher From LA School Arrested on Sex Claim
Prosecutors Close Armstrong Inquiry, No Charges
Sights and Sounds: Football Fans Pour Into Indy
Unemployment Rate Down to 8.3%
Obama: Still Far Too Many Americans Need Jobs
GOP: Jobs Numbers Welcome, Can Do Better
Fla. Man Adopts Girlfriend in Legal Battle
More Deaths As Egypt Clashes Continue
Raw Video: Prince William in Falklands
Egpyt Protesters Blame Police for Soccer Deaths
'Lucky' 9-Year-Old Receives 6-Organ Transplant
Raw Video: Michelle Vs. Ellen in Pushup Contest
First Person: Will Peyton Manning Stay in Indy?
Egypt Shaken After Deadly Soccer Riot
New Suits, New Starts for New York's Unemployed
Hall of Famer Dorsett Speaks Out on NFL Injuries
