The Columbus Exchange Club honored the public-spirited Glenn Lautzenhiser at its meeting Thursday, when he was given this year”s Book of Golden Deeds award.
The community service award, which has been given by the civic club in Columbus each year since 1972, went to Lautzenhiser for his extensive service on city boards and in the community.
Over the years, the retired Lautzenhiser has been appointed to several positions, including the Board of Trustees for city schools, which he serves on now, and on the Columbus Convention and Visitors Bureau Board of Directors.
His work for the city is in addition to his teaching a Bible study class at First Baptist Church on Sunday morning and other volunteer work.
Jim Davidson, who was on the awards committee and acted as master of ceremonies Thursday, hailed Lautzenhiser as a tireless public servant.
“He”s not a sprinter — he”s a marathon runner,” Davidson said of Lautzenhiser. “When he takes on a job, you can count on him to finish it.”
Lautzenhiser said he accepted the award on behalf of all the people who “make Columbus and Lowndes County such a great place to live.”
“The reason Columbus is so great is because of the people in this room and the people who give their time and talents to help (others),” he said.
Considering all his commitments, Club President Keith Bryant said he didn”t know when Lautzenhiser found time to be home with his wife and former award-winner, Jan Lautzenhiser.
“I don”t know where he gets the time, honestly,” Bryant continued. “I”ve never even seen him eat a meal.”
Book of Golden Deeds Committee co-chairman Bill Burge said Lautzenhiser had the characteristic that defined all the previous award recipients: humility.
“They serve because they care about making Lowndes County and Columbus a better place to live,” he said.
The award, he added, recognized heroes in everyday life.
A wide variety of city and county officials gathered for the ceremony, including Columbus Mayor Robert Smith and Lowndes County Board of Supervisors President Harry Sanders.
Lautzenhiser joins 38 prior recipients, which include Tyajuan Boswell in 2009, Bobby Harper in 2008, Shields Sims in 2007, Gen. Joseph L. Fant in 2006 and Tom Buckley in 2005.
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