Annually since 1986, Naperville American Legion Post 43 has presented a Citizen of the Year Award for extraordinary service to the Naperville area community. This year it has expanded the program to recognize winners in three categories: Service to Community, Service to Youth and Service to Veterans.
The winners are:
Richard Montalbano Jr. for Service to the Community. Rick has been impacting the lives of those with disabilities since the age of nine. He is an active member of the International Order of Alhambra, an organization dedicated to assisting the disabled, founder of Touch My Heart, a not-for-profit focusing on the special needs community, and Special Needs Vice Chairman for the Three Fires Council of the Boy Scouts of America.
Bob Bohr for Service to Veterans. Bob, a Viet Nam era Air Force veteran, is a Past Commander of Naperville Post 43 and the DuPage County American Legion, Finance Officer for the 11th District, Chair of the 2nd Division National Security Commission and a Board Member of the DuPage Veterans Assistance Commission. He is also a committee member of the DuPage Veterans Foundation and was the driving force behind creation of the Naperville Chapter of American Legion Riders. He is a regular at walk-through’s honoring deceased veterans and monthly visits to independent and assisted living facilities.
Leonard Novak for Service to Youth. Lenny not only gives his time to young people, he is a mentor with a rare knack for connecting with them. He has served as an Assistant Cub Master, a Girl Scouts Unit Leader for eight years, Assistant Scout Master and Committer Chair for Boy Scout Troop 8, Chartering Member and Committee Chair of Venture Crew 875, and President and Coach of the Naperville Wrestling Club. Quoting from one letter recommending him, “he has made an indelible mark in the lives of countless people—kids and adults alike.”
