Avon Lake Community Council Honors Citizen, Project of the Year

Two remarkable individuals were recognized for their extraordinary contributions to the community at Avon Lake Library’s Waugaman Gallery last Thursday evening.

The occasion was the Avon Lake Community Council Citizen of the Year and Project of the Year 2022 ceremony.

Honored were Herman “Bucky” Kopf as Citizen of the Year and Marilyn Zeidner for Music on a Mission and Project D.R.E.W.

Both recipients were clearly moved by the honor as they accepted their recognition before a full house in the Gallery. In their remarks, each made it clear that credit for the awards belongs to others.

Mr. Kopf traced his family history back through four generations of building and construction, crediting his great-grandfather, grandfather and father for passing along the spirit of his passion for his profession.

He fondly recalled his days growing up in Avon Lake, from playing commando in the creeks to tapping maple trees in the woods. He played on the last 6-man Avon Lake High football team and first 11-man team, and took his passion for sports to West Liberty University where his competitive spirit saw him earn a starting quarterback role and become the first Kopf family member to earn a college degree.

From there, Mr. Kopf initiated his career in the home-building business, buying his first property on a loan co-signed by his dad. Mr. Kopf fulfilled the note within a year and went on to buy two properties.

“I don’t know of any self-made men,” he said. “If there are any, I haven’t seen one.” He said all of the success associated in the construction business with the Kopf name is attached to other people. From his associates, many who have been with Kopf for decades, to the table of Kopf children and family members at the ceremony, to the city administrations and planning commissions that assisted his developments, to the bankers that worked with him  – especially in times of crisis like the 2010 downturn – all these, said Mr. Kopf, are the real reasons for his success. Through his career, Mr.Kopf has generously supported a wide range of community resources and activities.

Today, Kopf Builders is an award-winning construction and development firm that has branched out to many communities. But Mr. Kopf will always credit his success to the family and community that run as deep as the roots of the maple trees he tapped as a child.

Marilyn Zeidner is the force behind her ‘Barnegie Hall’ – a musical headquarter located in the repurposed barn at 31950 Krebs Road in Avon Lake. Barnegie Hall is home to a variety of musical presentations in support of Music on a Mission, a program to use the power of music to enrich the lives of individuals with special needs by providing creative, interactive programming.

Project D.R.E.W. (Delivering Restorative Energy to our Warriors) brings Songwriters and Veterans together for private two-day workshops to capture stories of service through music. It is an acclaimed program that supports victims of PTSD and is praised as a therapy resource for those who have served our nation.