Copeland Oaks Celebrates 2016 Legacy Awards

Rusty Kiko Receives The Distinguished Service Award from Dave Mannion, CEO of Copeland Oaks
Russell (Rusty) T. Kiko, Jr. has been honored by the Oaks Foundation with The Distinguished Service Award at the annual Founders’ Day event held Friday, Nov. 4,in Murphy Auditorium on the campus of Copeland Oaks Retirement Community in Sebring. The Distinguished Service Award was established in 1975 to recognize “extended and sustained service to Copeland Oaks and Crandall Medical Center.” “It is the highest honor that can be bestowed upon an individual for his or her dedication to the Copeland Oaks and Crandall Medical Center community,” according to Lisa Gentile, Oaks Foundation Administrator.
“Our honored today does everything with the utmost humility, care and compassion. Because of the time and talents he and the staff of KIKO Auction Services have donated to the Copeland Oaks Benefit Auction, $257,000 has been raised for the Copeland Life Care Fund. The benefit auction is held every other year on the Copeland campus. The Copeland community is grateful for all that he does for us with such poise, grace and kindness,” said Gentile announcing the award.
A principle in KIKO Auction Services, Kiko has served on the boards of directors of Copeland Oaks, Crandall Medical Center or the Oaks Foundation since 2004. Beginning his career with KIKO Auction Services in 1978, Kiko has been a member of the Certified Auctioneers Institute for over 21 years and is a licensed auctioneer and realtor in Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia. One of 13 children, Kiko grew up on a Stark County dairy farm. The parents of 8 children, he and his wife, Pam, now reside near Salem.
“As a community leader, Rusty brings out the best in people. He actively supports community programs and projects, and volunteers his time solely for the benefit of helping others. His leadership abilities, positive attitude, and words of encouragement motivate others and make a positive impact anywhere he goes.” noted Gentile.
“During my early visits to Copeland Oaks, I was impressed with the compassion of the employees and the passion of the administrative staff and the members of the boards of directors. Copeland is a very special place. I am honored to be a part of it and have had much pleasure in watching Copeland Oaks grow over the years,” said Kiko in accepting the award.
In opening the Legacy event, Dave Mannion, CEO, noted, ”It is fitting and important that we honor all those, past and present, who have worked to make Copeland Oaks the vibrant retirement community that it is today. During our 53-year history, a donation of an apple orchard and a dream have turned into home for over 20,000 residents, jobs and careers for over 25,000 employees and a thriving corporation with a $30 million budget.”
Honored in memorium was Rev. Dr. Claude Roe, who served as Copeland Oaks CEO for 15 years. Dr. Roe died in August at age 100.
A native of New Jersey, Dr. Roe joined the Copeland Oaks staff in April, 1972, after serving for 10 years as Assistant Executive Director of Presbyterian Homes in the New Jersey Synod. The second Copeland CEO, Dr. Roe succeeded Dr. Virgil Jump.
A graduate of Baldwin Wallace College, Dr. Roe began his career as a high school teacher. Dr. Roe studied at Oberlin Theological Seminary and earned his Doctor of Divinity degree at Vanderbilt University.
During Dr. Roe’s tenure as CEO, Copeland Oaks grew in resident population from 200 to over 500, Crandall Medical Center was construction and opened in 1981 and housing accommodations were expanded to include 4 more apartment buildings.
“Great leaders are most valuable in times of great adversity. Dr. Roe overcame a multitude of challenges during his tenure that enabled Copeland Oaks to flourish for over half a century. He had the vision of what Copeland Oaks could become and that vision has been realized,” observed Mannion.
Retiring in 1987, Dr. Roe resided at Copeland Oaks until moving to assisted living at Wesleyan Village to be near his son and family in Elyria.
The tribute to Dr. Roe was presented by Dr. Don Swegan, Copeland resident. Benediction was given by Rev. Dave Andrews. Also honored during the event for their continuing contributions to the Copeland Oaks community were members of the “Tree of Life.”
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