“The ultimate public servant,” who looked after the fate and fortune of Michigan’s Great Southwest for several decades, is being honored by the St. Joseph Public Schools Foundation with their 2020 Distinguished Alumni Award. Unfortunately, he won’t be there to receive the posthumous honor, having died five years ago at the age of 94.
Former State Senator Harry T. Gast, from the St. Joseph High School Class of 1938, will be recognized with the honor for his significant contributions to the State of Michigan and especially to Southwest Michigan.
In nominating Harry for the honor, U.S. Congressman Fred Upton wrote, “Harry Gast exemplified what it means to be a public servant. He never forgot those he represented in a straightforward way. He may have been blunt, but you could never question his motives as he put our corner of the state on the map.”
When Harry Gast graduated from SJHS in 1938, the 1938 yearbook described him as “a man of few words,” but he later proved to be a man of action. Harry began his involvement in politics in the 1950s, serving over the years as Township Supervisor, Township Treasurer and as a school board member.
In 1970, Harry was elected to the Michigan House of Representatives and in 1978 to the Michigan Senate where he served until 2002. Harry started or assisted in several bills protecting natural resources, such as the Sand Dunes Preservation Act. He had a great interest in supporting agriculture and education at the community college level. He earned numerous awards and honors for his work as a legislator, including honorary degrees at Western Michigan, Northern Michigan, Eastern Michigan and Andrews Universities, as well as several community colleges.
Harry is best remembered for his membership on the powerful Senate Appropriations Committee for 24 years, which he chaired for 18 years. Following his death in 2015, the Senate Appropriations Room, located in the space occupied for 100 years by the Michigan Supreme Court, was named in his honor. The Senate resolution recognized Harry as a problem solver who understood the nuances of the budget process and focused on the welfare of Michigan citizens rather than politics. A portion of M-63, north of downtown St. Joseph, was named the Harry Gast Parkway in 2008.
Upon hearing of the distinguished alumnus award, former State Representative and Michigan State Budget Director Al Pscholka wrote, “Senator Harry Gast was the ultimate public servant, representing Southwest Michigan for 32 years at the state capitol and 25 years at the local level. Harry was a straight shooter who brought common sense to every issue. I learned more about the state budget sitting at Harry’s dining room table than anywhere else, and counted him as a mentor. I am sure Harry would be honored to receive this award, and he would also share the credit with Jean, his family, and all the people that he served. He was one of a kind and the country needs more leaders like Harry Gast.”
The St. Joseph Public Schools Foundation has annually honored distinguished SJHS alumni since 2012. These individuals have excelled in their professions and/or made significant contributions to their community.
According to Bob Ehrenberg, Chair of the Foundation’s Distinguished Alumni Committee, “Harry Gast’s achievements, strength of character and citizenship continue to serve as a valuable model to inspire and challenge current St. Joseph students. Harry was a unanimous choice of the committee, and no one is more deserving of this award.”
For more information on award criteria, you can visit the SJPS Foundation website online at www.sjpsfoundation.org.
The quintessential photo of Harry Gast in his vineyard accompanying this story on Moody on the Market is courtesy of my friend Don Campbell, Photographer for The Herald-Palladium newspaper.
