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Grand Canyon Historical Society celebrates recipients of Grand Canyon Hall of Fame awards

Al Richmond (right) chairman and CEO of the Arizona State Railroad Museum, presents Dr. Tom Myers with the Grand Canyon Hall of Fame award. Photo/Wayne Ranney

Al Richmond (right) chairman and CEO of the Arizona State Railroad Museum, presents Dr. Tom Myers with the Grand Canyon Hall of Fame award. Photo/Wayne Ranney

GRAND CANYON, Ariz. - On July 11 the Grand Canyon Historical Society (GCHS) presented Thomas M. Myers, M.D. and Carl H. Guthrie with the 2015 Grand Canyon Hall of Fame awards.

The 18th annual Grand Canyon Hall of Fame awards are sponsored by the GCHS and the National Park Service (NPS). The presentations took place during the GCHS's annual picnic at Shoshone Point in Grand Canyon National Park.

Names of each of the recipients were engraved on a permanent plaque and placed in the Shrine of Ages auditorium.

The plaque states, "Recognition is hereby given by the Grand Canyon Historical Society and the National Park Service for those organizations and individuals who have selflessly contributed to the betterment of the Grand Canyon community over years past."

Each year two awards are given to recipients, recognizing their service to the Grand Canyon community. This year GCHS honored one deceased and one current recipient.

During the ceremony two citizens were named who have shown exemplary service to the Grand Canyon community and who have made personal contributions of money, time, and/or work over a period of many years.

Thomas M. Myers was recognized for his service to the Grand Canyon community and region for many years as a physician, educator and author. When not dealing with illness and injury at the clinic, Myers dedicates his time to educating a wide variety of residents, visitors and guides to the nuances of living below the rim and emergency first aid.

Students at the Grand Canyon School, NPS first responders, Boy and Girl Scouts, Grand Canyon Association Field Institute, Phantom Ranch, Colorado River boatmen and a number of other groups have all benefited from his classes.

However, Myers, not satisfied with just providing classes, also founded the Desert Medicine Institute that provides training and certification of guides as Wilderness First Responders. Myers has also served the community as a member of the Lions Club and Rotary on the Rim and supports the Grand Canyon Foundation, Grand Canyon Music Festival, Special Olympics, Walk for Cancer and the Grand Canyon Historical Society.

Myers' decades of experience in and around the Canyon have provided books and publications that cover Grand Canyon history in a very special way.

Myers's articles have been featured in Arizona Highways, National Geographic, and The Ole Pioneer. In his inimitable style, Tom continues to serve the community.

Carl Guthrie was the principal at Grand Canyon School in 1952. From that point, Guthrie made the Canyon his home and raised his family. By 1958 his service and dedication to the school and students was rewarded when the community elected him to serve as Superintendent of Grand Canyon Public Schools. Guthrie's passions at the schools included music and sports and he firmly believed that both enriched the lives of students. Guthrie involved students in these pursuits at every opportunity.

He also worked together with the American Legion Post to establish athletic fields. The field house continues to carry his name.

As a member of the Grand Canyon Rotary Club, Carl was always one of first to volunteer for their numerous projects. Education always remained his highest priority and this extended to the Boy and Girl Scouts and the American Legion's Boys and Girls State Leadership and Citizenship projects.

"If it benefited the students Carl was always available to lead the way and lend his assistance," said Al Richmond, chairman and CEO of the Arizona State Railroad Museum. "The Grand Canyon community was certainly a better place in which to live as a result of his efforts during the years he and his family lived at the Canyon."


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