PULLMAN, Wash. — Three 4-H workers represent Douglas County in the newly created Washington State 4-H Hall of Fame.
Inducted were: Pat Putman, 1934 Sunset Highway, East Wenatchee; Ellis Schneider, 960 Road 8 N.W., Waterville; and Ken Killingsworth, 312 W. Hastings, Spokane.
Putman has influenced development of the 4-H dog project at local, regional and national levels for more than 40 years. She is recognized in the Wenatchee Valley as an expert in dog handling and 4-H, and nationally in the American Kennel Club.
She was responsible for aligning the Washington State 4-H Dog Project with the American Kennel Club guidelines for consistency and standardization of dog obedience and fitting and showing training.
Putman established the first Douglas County 4-H dog club, in 1968, and has been a project and club leader for 33 years. She has been the fair superintendent for both the Douglas and Chelan County Fairs for several years. She was responsible for forming the first special education 4-H group at Washington School in Wenatchee.
Schneider was a 4-H leader for 49 years and served on the North Central Washington District Fair Board for 50 years. He also served for years on the Douglas County Leader’s Council, the Washington State Fair Association, and the Washington State 4-H Fair Board.
Killingsworth judged livestock for 50 years at local and state fairs, as well as nationally and internationally. He was often asked to judge 4-H fitting and showing and breeding stock. Ken was the Washington State Fair president in 1962, and a long-time superintendent at various fairs.
He was the Spokane Interstate Fair cattle superintendent for 20 years and Adams County Fair livestock superintendent for 15 years. Killingsworth raised cattle and he and his children showed cattle at the Spokane Interstate Fair from 1946-1960. While he was a 4-H leader, three of his members won trips to National 4-H Congress in Chicago. During his 22 years as leader, his 4-H club had 100 percent completion on record books each year. He made sure all 4-H’ers gave demonstrations on the local level, and many went on to district and state levels.
In 1988, Killingsworth received the National Association of County Agents’ 20-Year Distinguished Service Award. He retired at age 70 in Wheeler County, Ore., and died in 1999.
Induction of the first one hundred people was announced at a State 4- H Forum in Ocean Shores. The hall of fame was created as part of the 4-H centennial celebration.
More than 93,500 Washington youths are enrolled in 4-H programs; over 20,300 are enrolled in 1,733 clubs. Another 73,000 participate in a variety of other 4-H activities, such as the school enrichment program, day camps and overnight camping.
More than 10,300 adult volunteers support 4-H, which is Washington State University Cooperative Extension’s informal, educational program for today’s young people. The program combines the cooperative efforts of youth, volunteer leaders, WSU faculty, federal, state, and local governments, and businesses.
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FOR LOCAL INFORMATION, PLEASE CALL:
(509) 745-8531 for Margaret Viebrock, 4-H Agent or
Melodee Hanson, 4-H Program Assistant