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More than 100 celebrate Chip Henry Institute
(by Joan Demirjian - November 17, 2011)
More than 100 celebrate Chip Henry Institute
By JOAN DEMIRJIAN
Celebrating the new Chip Henry Institute for Outdoor Adventure was the goal of more than 100 people who gathered Nov. 11 at the Geauga Park District's West Woods Nature Center in Russell.
The institute honors the life of Geauga County Juvenile and Probate Court Judge Charles "Chip" Henry. He was struck and killed while riding his bicycle last May in Troy Township, near his family's home in Auburn.
Many of Mr. Henry's family members and friends attended the reception to celebrate his love of the outdoors and young people.
In an introduction, James Patterson, of Patterson Farm in Chester, said Mr. Henry exemplified the good qualities that everyone treasures. The institute is envisioned as an umbrella for the youth programs of the park district, he said.
"It has as its vision to be the premier program for youth that will provide skills and experiences leading to lifelong pursuits of exploring and enjoying the natural world," Mr. Patterson said.
He noted that he had met to talk about a way to recognize Mr. Henry with Geauga County Common Pleas Court Judge Forrest Burt, Geauga County Commissioner Tracy Jemison, Geauga County Sheriff Daniel McClelland, Geauga Park District Director Thomas Curtin and park district foundation President Richard Frenchie.
"We wanted to recognize Chip for all he had given to the community," Mr. Patterson said. They wanted to involve his wife, Linda, his son, Adam, and daughter, Kim.
"They brought close friends of Chip's and family to the discussion and the ideas began to overflow. This institute will be a constant living, vibrant means to continue Chip's legacy," Mr. Patterson said. The institute's steering committee also includes Paula Pinkerton and Betty Weibel.
Adam Henry recalled the many outdoor adventures he had with his father. "Playing in the family turkey bowl every Thanksgiving morning, summer fishing trips in Canada, playing tennis, waking up early to cut wood every Saturday," he said. "I got to have a lot of great adventures with my dad in the outdoors, and, now with the help of this institution, hundreds of kids in our area will get the opportunity to have a lot of their own similar adventures and have created their own stories to tell about growing up loving the outdoors. All of you are here to help support that goal, and for that I thank you," he said.
Judge Henry's wife, Linda, said of the institute, "This is such a fitting way to remember Chip. He would have truly been honored to have his name linked to the Geauga Park District and programs that encourage kids to get outdoors and enjoy nature."
Dan Henry, the late judge's youngest brother, traveled from his home in Alaska to be on hand last week for the celebration of the new institute.
"Chip and the rest of us were very lucky growing up," Dan Henry said. They lived in Lake Lucerne in Bainbridge and their parents, Gene and Jeanne Henry were their role models, he said. The late Gene Henry was a former Geauga County prosecutor.
"My three older brothers, Pat, Chip and Jim, pretty much ran Lake Lucerne when we were growing up," Dan Henry said.
They also have two sisters, Dodie and Polly.
On typical summer days, they would play baseball for hours, then run to the lake to swim, then play a game of running bases or Frisbee football on the meadow, Dan Henry said.
They would go back to the lake after supper when the lifeguards had left, playing tree tag on a big maple tree that leaned over the lake, he said. As it got dark, they would move into the shallows for another game. Finally, they ended up at the Henry house until parents called for their kids to return home.
Dan Henry recalled other adventures, including hiking to caves, kayaking, camping and fishing. Those early years of outdoor adventures became a habit that carried on into their adult years, he said.
"My hope is that the Chip Henry Institute for Outdoor Adventure can provide experiences for young people that will spark a lifelong love of outdoor adventure and an appreciation for Geauga County's incredible parks and wild places," Dan Henry said. His brother, like his father, was a true adventurer, he said. "I believe he would be very honored to be the inspiration of this program."
Judge Burt said, "Chip was such an active and outdoor person. He should not be recognized by bricks or buildings, but by the outdoors. If he was not outdoors, he wasn't happy. We wanted to share that joy and happiness with kids," he said.
"We met for breakfast and considered what we could do," he said. Mr. Henry loved the park district, and they talked with Mr. Curtin and the idea for the Chip Henry Institute for Outdoor Adventure was established.
Mr. Curtin said there is a lot of work ahead now to meet the goals of the institute. It will initially include all general offerings established for young people, school groups and Scouts through Geauga Park District.
New opportunities are also being created for other groups serving youth and will evolve over time to include day camps and other experiences to nurture lifelong love for the outdoors.
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