Prior recipients of the Kenneth Hood Senior Service Award include: John W. (Jack) Muldoon, 2013; Jack Hanahan, 2012; Joe Cesario, 2011; Frank De Rosa, 2010; and Shirley Garrison, 2009 as well as Jack Schimpf, 2008, honored posthumously. Future nominees should exhibit a history of excellent service to the senior community, have developed or conducted programs that enhance the quality of life for senior citizens, have embraced or nurtured activities that affect, in a positive way, the lives of the senior citizens population. They must serve as an example by continuing their efforts toward these goals with a zest for the joy of living. Candidates must reside, work or volunteer in the Village of Arlington Heights
Ken Hood’s senior citizen advocacy included delivering meals on wheels for the Senior Center and serving as a member of the Park Place Advisory Council, and later as its president. He was one of the founding members of Arlington Heights Senior Center, Inc., and served as the Inc. president. For these and other activities, Ken received the Sid Granet Award which was bestowed upon him at the Governor’s Conference on Aging. He served on the Senior Citizens Commission for more than twenty years, and of course, became its chairperson. He wrote a book about his beloved wife, Lois and celebrated his 100th birthday. Twice again, he found himself in the spotlight, as a centenarian and as a powerful advocate for the dignity of Alzheimer’s patients when the article “For the Love of Lois” appeared.
Dr. Kenneth Hood was born on a farm in western Pennsylvania and attended a one room school house. He graduated from New Castle High School and received his BS in Agricultural Economics from Penn State. He received a Ph.D. from Cornell University and worked for the American Farm Bureau as an economist and marketing specialist and was a published author. Ken’s career included extensive writing, the lecture circuit and teaching. He was active for decades in the Arlington Heights Noon Rotary Club and served as the secretary for several terms.
Ken Hood accomplished all he had set out to do, including flipping the switch to light the decorations at North Park to kick off the 2006 holiday season. At his 100th birthday party, Ken charged those present to pick up his torch of service to Arlington Heights Senior Citizens. It is in this spirit that the Dr. Kenneth Hood Award was created in 2008. The Senior Citizens Commission will announce the winner on July 31st, Dr. Hood’s birthday.
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