Moehl Recognized by DRLPS

Board members for the lighthouse preservation society are (from left) Glenn Lahti, Chuck Feltner, Don Gries, Sandy Wytiaz, Jeri Baron Feltner, Paula Bardsley, Dave Bardsley, Ann Method Green, Russ Norris, and Clif Haley. (Photograph by Nella Gries)

Richard "Dick" Moehl was unanimously named Founding Director Emeritus of the DeTour Reef Light Preservation Society (DRLPS) at the December 20 meeting of the board of directors. Officers for 2008 were also elected for the preservation society.

Mr. Moehl, a well known lighthouse preservationist, also has been president of the Great Lakes Lighthouse Keepers Association since 1985, and the project manager for restoration of St. Helena Island Light Station since 1986.

In 1997, when Mr. Moehl learned the DeTour Reef Light may become available from the U.S. Coast Guard, he contacted Bob Jones and Jim Charles of DeTour Village. Together they took a boat ride to the lighthouse to investigate its condition, and helped rally the community to save the DeTour Reef Light. In 1998, the DeTour Reef Light Preservation Society was formed as a nonprofit volunteer organization to restore the lighthouse. Mr. Moehl is a member of the original DRLPS Board of Directors.

Dick Moehl, DRLPS Founding Director Emeritus. (Photograph courtesy of DeTour Reef Light Preservation Society)

Mr. Moehl has served as a connection for the local group with the national lighthouse community. A staunch advocate of preserving lighthouses, he has testified before a number of Federal House and Senate hearings regarding the transfer process of the nations' lighthouses. These hearings resulted in the passing of the National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act.

In 2000, Mr. Moehl was presented with the Governor George Romney Lifetime Achievement Award, one of Michigan's most prestigious volunteer recognition awards.

In 2007, the American Lighthouse Coordinating Committee (ALCC) selected Mr. Moehl to receive the Holland Award, to recognize his contributions. The Holland Award is the major national honor bestowed by the lighthouse preservation community. Mr. Moehl is also a past president of the ALCC.

He retired in 1998 from Beacon Investment after 32 years. He received a bachelor's in business administration from the University of Michigan after serving in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War. Mr. Moehl and his wife, Margaret, live in Pinckney.

Officers elected by the DRLPS Board of Directors include: Russ Norris, president; David Bardsley, vice-president; Glenn Lahti, secretary, and Chuck Feltner, treasurer. Ann Method Green, public relations chair, was elected by the board to fill Mr. Moehl's vacated directorship.

The society has worked since 1998 to preserve the DeTour Reef Light located one mile offshore in northern Lake Huron at the far eastern end of Michigan's Upper Peninsula between DeTour Village and Drummond Island. Built in 1931, the 83-foot-tall lighthouse is a historic landmark that marks a dangerous reef to help guide ship traffic between Lake Huron and Lake Superior through the St. Marys River.

The DRLPS is preparing a celebration to mark 10 years of restoration efforts. The celebration will be held at the Eastern Upper Peninsula Fine Arts Center in DeTour Village August 30.