Dave Gumm Wins 2025 Joseph A. Kneip Distinguished Service Award

Roger Bacon is proud to announce that Dave Gumm is the 2025 recipient of the Joseph A. Kneip Distinguished Service Award – the highest accolade given to a member of the Roger Bacon faculty and staff. Dave’s life story is both inspiring and an example of the Franciscan values of Roger Bacon High School.

The product of a challenging childhood, Dave was raised by foster parents – the chief influencers in his life. Born in Akron Ohio on June 22, 1955, Dave attended Tallmadge High School. A member of the National Honor Society, President of the Choir, Treasurer of the Latin Club and Treasurer of his church’s youth group, Dave graduated with a 3.93 (out of 4.0) grade point average and was accepted to college at the University of Akron and Kent State University. He decided to attend the University of Cincinnati and had dreams of being a high school teacher.

That all changed in August of 1972. Only 2 weeks before the start of college, Dave was in a horrific car accident which would change his life forever. Found unconscious at the scene of the accident, Dave underwent major operations in 1972, 1974 and 1977 to repair extensive injuries. Although he eventually learned to walk again, he has “never taken a step without pain” since the accident. As a result of the incident and the mental anguish which accompanied the accident (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder), Dave was not able to finish college and obtain a degree.

Through it all, Dave persevered. He credits determination, love of friends and family and especially faith in God as the keys that helped him overcome the obstacles placed in his life. He specifically mentions his foster parents as his source of strength. Through his foster mom he found tough love. His foster father provided stability, honesty, integrity and a strong faith foundation. Dave has been guided by his foster father’s favorite Bible verse – “I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me.”

Dave has served the Roger Bacon school community for over 34 years as a member of the custodial staff. His dedication, hard work and perseverance often go unnoticed as much of his work is behind the scenes. For those who know Dave and see his contributions on a daily basis, his efforts are both appreciated and now recognized.

“Although I have not been able to be what I planned, I have tried to be a model of love and integrity for 34+ years at Roger Bacon High School” says Dave. “I wanted the gifts that I have been given to go on.”

Though he has reached retirement age, Dave plans to stay at Roger Bacon for his 35th year. Roger Bacon has been built on the shoulders of giants - Dave Gumm is one of those giants. The entire Roger Bacon school community is proud of him.

The Joseph A. Kneip Distinguished Service Award is given in memory of Joe Kneip, a long-time teacher at Roger Bacon who died from melanoma in 1994 at the young age of 59. Joe valued the well-being of his students above all else. His Socratic teaching method developed critical thinking skills in his students. In addition to being an outstanding teacher, Joe was a great friend to so many. This is the most honored award the school has to recognize excellence by a faculty or staff member. First given in 1995, Dave is the 31st Roger Bacon faculty/staff member recognized as an award winner.

Previous winners are:

1995 Ann Stansbury

1996 St. Consolata Kuhn ‘33, OSF

1997 Wes Neal

1998 Bro. Conrad Rebmann, OFM

1999 Bill Becker ‘60

2000 Bill Carey

2001 Jim Uhrig ‘66

2002 Don McGrath

2003 John Gutzwiller ‘61

2004 Jim Swedenburg

2005 Chuck Grosser

2006 Jack Butz ‘67

2007 Ed Dauterich

2008 Diane Brewster

2009 Dave Feichtner ‘70

2010 Pedro Diaz

2011 Gregg Rose

2012 Fred Widmeyer

2013 Dan Starkey

2014 Donna Briggs

2015 Mellen Moors-Dressing

2016 Sue Ariss

2017 Mary Beth Hausfeld ‘80

2018 Paul Wittekind ‘84

2019 Brian Neal ‘90

2020 Jon Powers ‘90

2021 Tom Roebel

2022 Deb Luebbe

2023 Rick Sollmann ‘68

2024 Sue Huerkamp ‘72

Note: Bold are Roger Bacon or Our Lady of the Angels alum