Dec. 26, 2008
Denfeld Alumni News

Ten luminaries to be inducted into Hunter Hall of Fame

The newest members of the Hunter Hall of Fame will be honored in a special induction ceremony on Saturday, Aug. 1, 2009. The event will be part of Denfeld’s centennial, celebrating the school’s first 100 graduating classes.

The Denfeld Alumni Association’s board of directors chose the honorees from over 150 nominations.

Al Amatuzio graduated from Denfeld in 1942 and spent 25 years in the Air National Guard. In 1972, he founded Amsoil, a company that became the largest independent manufacturer of synthetic lubricants in the world.

Dorothy Arnold graduated from Denfeld in 1935 and became a Hollywood actress, appearing in 15 films between 1937 and 1939. She died in 1984.

Michael Colalillo was drafted into the Army at age 18. In one attack, he killed or wounded 25 Nazis and assisted a wounded American soldier, earning him a Congressional Medal of Honor.

David Karpeles graduated from Denfeld in 1953. He eventually amassed the world’s largest private collection of original documents, opening nine Karpeles Manuscript Library Museums.

Duane Kerin graduated from Denfeld in 1960 and became a certified public accountant. He began acquiring com-panies in 1976, and later established the Kerin Family Fund inside the Minneapo-lis Foundation for charitable giving.

Helen Lind (Vitich) graduated from Denfeld in 1947. She is best known for her work as a gardener for the city of Duluth and her involvement in numerous community organizations.

John “Jack” Moon graduated from Denfeld in 1946 and served in the Army during the Korean War. He later became a prominent lawyer and real estate investor. He died in 2001.

Marie Saltwick graduated from Denfeld in 1925 and returned to teach biology for 41 years, becoming one of the school’s most inspirational teachers. She died in 2001.

Gail Sederski was a standout athlete at Denfeld, graduating in 1976. She went on to play basketball and fast-pitch softball at the University of Minnesota.

Lenore Snodgrass taught English at Denfeld for 34 years, dying unexpectedly in 1953. A scholarship fund setup in her memory later became known as the Greater Denfeld Foundation.

These honorees will join 29 previously inducted members in the Hunter Hall of Fame. The Aug. 1 induction ceremony will be held in Denfeld’s auditorium at 2 p.m. There will be no charge for admission.