Topeka — Philanthropist Ross Beach, baseball's George Brett and former U.S. Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman were honored Friday night by the Native Sons and Daughters of Kansas.
Beach, Hays, was named Kansan of the Year by the organization at it annual awards dinner at the Kansas ExpoCentre.
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The dinner is conducted annually in tandem with events commemorating Kansas' entry into the nation.
"My wife won the award 14 years ago and I've been trying to catch up ever since," said Beach, chairman of Douglas County Bank in Lawrence and president of Kansas Natural Gas Inc. and. "It's been a great experience watching the state change and grow over the years and doing a little to help it."
Beach, 83, a lifelong Kansan and a Kansas State University graduate, has helped fund the arts and education at Kansas University, Kansas State, and Fort Hays State University.
The Abilene native said the greatest accomplishment in his life was his wife, Marianna.
"We've been married 61 years. She's a hell of a lady," he said.
The Kansan of the Year award honors native Kansans for their contributions to their professions, the state and the nation.
Brett, 47, the Baseball Hall of Fame slugger third baseman of the Kansas City Royals and currently the team's vice president of baseball operations, was honored as Distinguished Kansan, an award for non-native Kansas residents.
"I don't know what I've done in the last six or seven years for Kansas," Brett said. "But it's a big honor, a big thrill."
Brett, who lived in California throughout most of his baseball career, said he could think of no better place to live than Kansas, except for the winter weather. He now lives in Mission Hills in Johnson County. It's part of the Shawnee Mission School District, an important consideration for the father of three sons. His wife Leslie is a Wichita native.
"The education in my city is one of the best in the country. My neighborhood is one of the best in the country. Where could I go to improve my life?" he asked. "The city of Kansas City adopted me when I was 20 or 21 and everything is still great. My only beef is the weather."
Glickman was given a special award for Distinguished Statesmanship.
"This is very great honor for me," he said. "I've spent a lot of time in public life and to be honored by the people at home is really special."
A Democrat, Glickman joked that it was odd to be at an event attended by many Republicans.
"It seemed a little strange when I walked in," he said. "I think they're trying to convert me."
The organization has named a Kansan of the Year since 1955.
Last year's winners were retired University of North Carolina basketball coach Dean Smith, who attended the Kansas University; Kansas State University President Jon Wefald; and former U.S. Sen. Nancy Kassebaum Baker.
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