The Vin Hoeman Award, named after the first person to complete the 50 state highpoints, is bestowed “for service to the Club in the pursuit of highpoints.” Any member with paid dues can nominate a candidate. With the nomination, the submitter should include a short description of the service and contribution that the nominee has made to the Club. John V. “Vin” Hoeman. Hoeman perished in an avalanche on Dhaulagiri in 1969
Award Recipients
- 2026 — Shannon Brumund, Tommy Burns, Tom Shea
- 2024 — Jim Sutton
- 2016 — Nena and Bomber Brown
- 2014 — Alan Ritter, Kathy Dalsaso
- 2013 — Jan and Ray Nelson
- 2012 — Mark and Wendy Comstock, Miles Luke
- 2011 — Charlie Feris, Gary White
- 2010 — Jim Sutton
- 2009 — Kevin Baker
- 2008 — Tim Webb
- 2007 — Nikki Hemphill and Robert Hyman
- 2006 — Stony Burk
- 2005 — Charlie and Diane Winger
- 2004 — Roger Rowlett
- 2003 — Jean Trousdale
- 2002 — Craig and Mary Jane Noland
- 2001 — John Mitchler, Dave Covill
- 2000 — Jack Baker
- 1999 — Lillian and Gene Elliott
- 1998 — Mary Maurer, George Vandersluis, Mike Fedor
- 1997 — Juliana and Dave Epperson
- 1995 — Ken Jones
- 1994 — Clark Hall, Jack Parsell
- 1993 — Don Berens
- 1992 — Jack Longacre
- 1991 — Don Holmes
- 1990 — Frank Ashley
- 1989 — Paul Zumwalt
The award is governed by Section 8.1 of the bylaws:
8.1 Vin Hoeman Award
The Vin Hoeman Award is made in recognition of distinguished overall service to the Highpointers Club. The Awards Committee shall put a call for nominations in the first (1st) quarter Newsletter. Any active member may nominate one active member or, in special cases, a couple, for the Vin Hoeman Award. Honorary Members are also eligible for this award. Nominations shall be secret and submitted only to the Awards Chairperson or his/her delegate. Recipients of this award shall be determined by a secret two-thirds majority vote of the Board of Directors from candidates submitted by the Awards Committee. The Vin Hoeman Award shall be presented at the annual membership meeting. It is not required that the Vin Hoeman Award be given each year nor is it limited to one individual in any one year. The Board of Directors shall maintain criteria for recipients of this award.