The Peoria High School Alumni Association is proud to announce the Distinguished Alumni chosen for the Distinguished Alumni Awards given in 2012. This year’s recipients include Robert W. Deiker, Sr., class of 1935, Judge Richard Eagleton, class of 1948, George J. Kottemann,DDS,class of 1949, Thembi Conner-Garcia, MD, class of 1991, and Sung Jin Hong, class of 1993. These alumni will be recognized at the Annual Gold Lion Luncheon held at Peoria High School on Saturday October 6th, in the foyer from 11:30 to 1:30. All classes are invited, but special recognition is given to the classes who have graduated fifty or more years ago. The cost is $22. Reservations may be made by calling the Peoria High School Alumni office at (309)-682-4854.

Robert W. Deiker, Sr, class of 1935 pioneered many electronics. He received more than 200 patents including those for fetal monitoring, the first automatic headlight dimming system, the first 9-1-1- emergency system, security monitoring and alarm systems, communication relay systems. As a NASA staff specialist he helped develop worldwide tracking stations and communications for manned and unmanned spacecraft.

Judge Richard Eagleton, class of 1948 served 34 years in the Naval Reserve, two years as Chief Judge of the Naval Reserve Trial Judiciary. He retired as Captain of the JAG Corps. He is the only Peorian to be a U.S. Attorney, serving 1965-69. He has been a member of several community boards and professional groups. For the past 20 years he has been Counsel in the Peoria office of Chicago based Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP.

George J. Kottemann, DDS, graduated in 1949 as valedictorian and Vice President of Student Council. He has served the citizens of Illinois as an orthodontist and civic leader. George worked for the U.S. government as a USAF dentist and forensic specialist. Dr. Kottemann has served as president of the PHSAAF board and as a mentor for the Kiwanis Key Club. He has been recognized by BU, UIC, UIUC, and the UCF for leadership and philanthropy.

Thembi Conner-Garcia, MD, from the class of 1991,is assistant professor of medicine and residency research director in Internal Medicine at the University of Illinois College of Medicine at Peoria. She has excelled as a physician scientist and educator. As a co-investigator for research studies focusing on health literacy, she has been awarded two NIH research grants.

Sung Jin Hong, a graduate of the class of 1993, is artistic director and composer-conductor of One World Symphony in New York City. He has served as guest conductor throughout the world. His compositions receive high acclaim. In addition to raising funds for charities and to supporting humanitarian efforts throughout the world, his symphony brings under-served children and their families to the performances.

For further information you can contact Denise McCormack  sismccormack@aol.com 685-4714 or the Peoria High School Alumni office  phsalumni@yahoo.com 682-4854