Dick Moehl

2007 Recipient of the Holland Award

Dick Moehl is a tireless worker on behalf of lighthouses nationwide, but his energies have been most concentrated in his stellar leadership of the oldest and most respected binational lighthouse association, the Great Lakes Lighthouse Keepers Association. He became the second president of that group two years after its formal organization in1983, and was still president as GLLKA celebrated its silver anniversary in 2008.

In that time, Dick not only shaped a vibrant and flourishing organization, he devoted time, resources, skill and unbounded enthusiasm -- his personal hallmark -- to the rescue and restoration of the remote St. Helena Lighthouse in the Straits of Mackinac. Under Dick's leadership, the difficult-to-access island lighthouse became not just an exemplary restoration project but also a valuable teaching tool, providing well-organized lessons in heritage and preservation skills to Scouts, volunteers, church groups, students and teachers alike. In developing that beacon for the future, Dick became master planner, chief cheerleader, logistics expert, camp master, laborer, ship captain and cajoler-in-chief. St. Helena was added to the National Register of Historic Places and its restoration earned many awards -- as did Dick -- including the 630th presidential "Point of Light" award in1992 and  recognition by the State of Michigan.

Dick also was instrumental in setting up GLLKA headquarters, first at the Henry Ford Estate in Dearborn, MI and later in more specialized quarters in Mackinaw City. Under his leadership, GLLKA developed tours throughout the Great Lakes, began a much-valued quarterly journal,  joined with Central Michigan University to back research efforts, established sound fundraising and financial management practices including endowments, and partnered in lighthouse cruises in the straits. Dick also organized Mackinaw City's bid to become the home of the National Lighthouse Museum, and during his tenure GLLKA also acquired the 1880 Cheboygan River Front Range Light.

Dick's contributions on a national level are equally outstanding. He helped win congressional approval of a Bicentennial Lighthouse Fund for restoration efforts and played a key role in formulating the National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act of 2000. He was an organizer of the American Lighthouse Coordinating Committee and was elected its first President. He testified repeatedly before Congress and the Michigan Legislature, becoming an expert and respected witness on matters pertaining to lighthouse transfers and stewardship. He has been a valued mentor and an inspiration to a generation of lighthouse preservationists, and his skills and enthusiasm are recognized in this presentation of the Holland Award.