Richard 'Ike' Eisenhauer of Wauwatosa, Wis., was named the 10th member of the Green Bay Packers FAN Hall of Fame at a press conference Friday at Lambeau Field.
Eisenhauer, 74, was nominated by his daughter, Ginger, and was selected by fans from 10 finalists during a voting period that closed Dec. 7. Thousands of votes were cast from throughout the United States and countries around the world.
In nominating her father, Ginger wrote of Eisenhauer's 50-plus years supporting the team and how he met his to-be wife, Alice, at a Packers game. The family, which includes nine children, refers to the family season tickets as "Sacred Packer Tickets."
Eisenhauer's devotion to the Packers evoked many family memories. One son, Dennis, heard Lombardi's name so often, he thought it was his last name. Another son, Paul, cut his hand in a fall and was told to wrap it in a towel and they'd go to the hospital at halftime. Eisenhauer eight years ago supervised a church raffle, but only after a TV was provided so he would not miss the scheduled Packers game. Also, many of the Eisenhauer's closest friends are those they met at Packers games or parties.
In closing her nomination, Ginger wrote, "Dad's enthusiasm for the Packers has brought a lifetime of fun and great memories to all who know and love him. Even Vince Lombardi would have approved of the way Dad raised us, to be loyal to God, our family and the Green Bay Packers."
This year's other finalists included Bill Riley, Santa Barbara, Calif.; Micheal Moore, Marshfield, Wis.; Mary Taylor, Port Washington, Wis.; Wayne Scullino, Sydney, Australia; Jack Wilson, Macon, Ill.; Kelly Orlando, Dallas; Pahl Young, Las Vegas; Duane Wittmann, Oxford, Wis.; and Earl and Rooty Leigh, Madison, Wis.
Eisenhauer will receive four club seats to the Packers' final home game, Dec. 30, at which he will be recognized on the Lambeau Field TundraVision video boards, a $500 Packers Pro Shop gift certificate and a road trip for two to a 2008 Packers away game, including game ticket, air fare and hotel accommodation. He also will be introduced during the Packers Hall of Fame Induction Banquet July 19, 2008, and have his or her name permanently displayed in a place of honor in the Packers Hall of Fame.
The Green Bay Packers established the Packers FAN Hall of Fame in 1998 for the purpose of annually honoring a devout and longtime Packers fan.
The nine prior honorees include Mel Knoke, Appleton, Wis.; Louis Gardipee, Black River Falls, Wis.; Ed Jablonski, Wausau, Wis.; Paul Mazzoleni, Green Bay; Wanda Boggs, Brookfield, Wis.; Sister Isaac Jogues Rousseau, Milwaukee; Dorothy Hanke, Milwaukee; Kathy Lazzaro, Milwaukee; and Rich Barbera, River Vale, N.J.
FAN Hall of Fame sponsors are ShopKo, Stein Gardens and Gifts, Best Buy and Mills Fleet Farm.
