EATON — The 2022 Sara Swartsel Hall of Honor recipients were recognized during the unveiling of plaques in their honor at the Saturday, Sept. 24, Preble County Historical Society’s Fall Gathering event.

In celebration of its 40th anniversary in 2011, the Preble County Historical Society (PCHS) created the Hall of Honor and named it the Sara Swartsel Hall of Honor in recognition of the heritage and philanthropy of the Swartsel family as demonstrated by Sara Swartsel’s gift to the PCHS and the entire Preble County community of her family farm in southeast Preble County. The Register-Herald joined the PCHS as a partner in the Hall of Honor, recognizing the natural partnership of the two organizations in recording the history of Preble County.

The Hall of Honor recognizes deceased former Preble Countians who have contributed to the community and world in valuable ways. Several individuals were nominated and three new members were chosen this year.

The three newest inductees are William “Bill” D. Ross, Audrey S. Gilbert, and Myron E. Scott. Barbara Cox announced the induction of Gilbert, Jane Somers announced the induction of Ross and Cherry Anderson announced the induction of Scott during the special ceremony held in The Amphitheatre Saturday afternoon.

Bill Ross

Ross was well-respected in his career. He was honored to be one of the research chemists chosen to analyze Apollo 17’s moon soil samples. He published 40 scientific papers and holds two U.S. patents. He…