Hancock Accepts 2023 Frank Lamping Community Service Award
Gerry Hancock (center) was awarded as the 2023 award recipient. The award presentation had opening remarks from Community State Bank President and CEO Scott Huedepohl (left) and CSB Market President David Moyer (right).
Hundreds gathered at Community State Bank in Union Grove on Wednesday, September 27, for the fifth annual Frank Lamping Community Service Award Celebration. This year’s award was presented to retired Union Grove pharmacist and avid community volunteer, Gerry Hancock.
Named in Frank Lamping’s honor, the award was created in 2019 to acknowledge and celebrate a community member who exemplifies positivity, selflessness, leadership and inspires others to give back to the community.
As the award recipient, Hancock was also gifted $1,000 to donate to a non-profit organization of his choice. The Union Grove Area Foodbank recently announced a shortage of non-perishable food items to support the community. For this reason, Hancock decided to allocate the funds towards this urgent need. Hancock also asked that event attendees bring nonperishable food items to support the food bank.
“This award reminds me that there truly is good left in this world,” said CSB President and CEO Scott Huedepohl. “So often I think it’s easy for us to focus on all of the worries and bad things happening in our world and our country. But there are a lot of good things happening too and I’m happy that for one evening our community can come together and celebrate the good things because of people like Gerry and Frank.”
Hancock was born and raised in Burlington, Wis. He attended St. Charles Grade School and St. Mary’s High School. After graduating, he then attended the University of Wisconsin – School of Pharmacy and began his internship at Hauper Pharmacy in Union Grove. Over the course of 40 years, Hancock was an intern, pharmacist, and then owner. In 2007, the pharmacy was sold to Aurora and Hancock worked there until his retirement in 2013.
In addition to Hancock’s career, he has also donated his time and talents to several community organizations including: Kiwanis Club of Union Grove (Active Member for 39 years, Charter President in 1984, and Treasurer: 26 years), St. Robert’s Bellarmine (Finance Chair: 22 years), Union Grove Area Chamber of Commerce (Past Board Member), Catholic Central High School (Past Board Member) and has served on various committees for the Village of Union Grove. From 2013 until 2020, Hancock visited the Wisconsin Veterans Home in Union Grove to serve communion. On a weekly basis, Hancock also delivers meals to community members in need through the Racine Meals on Wheels program.
“Frank Lamping, to me, was a good friend and a wonderful community person. He always thought about the community and not himself,” said Hancock. “This award means a lot to me and I’m honored and humbled to be named as a recipient in Frank’s honor.”
Recipients are chosen by a community committee organized by Community State Bank. The 2023 nominating committee included: Captain Cary Madrigal (2022 Award Recipient), Candi Lucksted, Gordon Svendsen, Scott Gunderson, and Tom Johnsen.
