Jim Siebert receives Jasper Chamber of Commerce President’s Community Excellence Award
Jim Siebert lowered his head and teared up in surprise as he and others around him realized he would be the recipient of the Jasper Chamber of Commerce President’s Community Excellence Award.
As he stood after composing himself, someone told him to turn around. When he did, he was met by his family congratulating him.
At the podium, Mr. Siebert’s words were simple.
He told the crowd he remembered being the Jasper Chamber of Commerce president when the award was created and awarded to Alvin Ruxer. He added that his father, Bob Siebert, was the second recipient of the award.
“That is what makes me most proud,” Mr. Siebert said. “Anything I can do close to what my dad did makes me feel like I’ve done well.”
Mr. Siebert told the audience that his dad desired to leave the community better than he left it. “He lived out of his words,” he said.
For many in the audience and in the community, Mr. Siebert has also lived out his father’s words.
In one of several nomination letters submitted to the Chamber, Jim’s brother John wrote, “Our father, Bob Siebert, was the mentor that Jim aspired to imitate as a natural progression. Jim does it effortlessly. He has let his faith, family and community be the guiding principles and has spent his life living his Eagle Scout values.”
“Jim’s life purpose is not about personal gain; it is about taking care of people and meeting their needs,” John wrote. “Whether it is helping people pick out clothes for the happiest day when they are getting married or meeting people at any hour to help them with clothing during a time of grief when a loved one passes away.”
Other letters submitted echoed John and spoke of Mr. Siebert’s dedication to the community and volunteerism.
“He is Jasper’s greatest ambassador with an uncanny ability to treat everyone as a friend,” outgoing Chamber Board President Diedra Church said when announcing Mr. Siebert as the recipient.
In addition to being the third generation of owners of Siebert’s in Downtown Jasper–celebrating 100 years in business this year, Mr. Siebert has a long list of achievements. In addition to being an Eagle Scout, he is a Distinguished Citizen Award Recipient, served as the president of the Jasper Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Jasper Downtown Business Association, helped form Redevelop Old Jasper Action Coalition, a member of Jasper Jaycees, Knights of Columbus, Jasper Moose Lodge, and a charter member of Jasper Optimists Club and Sportsmen Club to name a few.
Mr. Siebert joins a list of 34 individuals honored since the first President’s Award was presented posthumously to Alvin C. Ruxer in 1991. Other award winnings include Bob Siebert, Anne Heeke, Jim Stenftenagel, Ed Rumbach, Bob Gramelspacher, Patty Cox, Bob Steffe, Rich Eckerle, Norbert Eckerle, Leon Fleck, Dave Buehler, Dan Mundy, Lynn Krodel, Ken Sendelweck, Ken Sternberg and Maureen Braun, Donnie Lichlyter, Dr. Nancy Otte, Gervase Schwenk, Joe Rohleder, Bernie Vogler, John Siebert, Becky Beckman, Mike Jones, Mike Ackerman, Dan Fritch, John Seng, Dean Vonderheide, Bob Bleemel, Kim Lottes, Dr. Dean Beckman, Laura Grammer, and Christian Blome.
