Butch Gnadt stands with his wife, Cupie, and granddaughter, Mady Sleder, after learning he was named the "Sweetheart of the Year." Butch said he was surprised to receive the award. Photo by Gretchen Augustine

"In my book, he is the only choice this year," said Michael Paradis, who said he's known Butch since they attended high school together.

Butch has a long history in the community, according to letters nominating him for the yearly award. As Aaron Coleman, Elk Rapids class of 1957, put it: "I could go on naming the good things Butch has done. But I'd have to write a book."

If that book were written, the words used to describe Butch would include "extremely helpful," "invariably caring and warm," "extremely talented," "unselfish" and respectful of others, according to other nomination letters.

Mike and Martha McGuire say in their letter that in the 40 years they've known Butch, he has always been involved in the lives of his children and their friends. He was involved in scouting, groomed the fields for little league and built and ran the first football concession stand, they wrote.

"When a man and his wife raise three really great children and help a multitude of others in the process, he is truly a sweetheart," they wrote.

Butch and his wife, Cupie, raised three children, David, Heidi and Kevin. David and his wife, Tina, have two children, Ashley and Justin; Heidi and her husband, Andy Sleder, have one child, Mady; and Kevin and his wife, Emily, have one child, Ellie.

Others detailed more of Butch's past. After graduating from Elk Rapids schools, he worked at SuperTool, the letters say. At SuperTool Elk Rapids resident Lisa Montroy got to know him as a fellow worker.

"He was always there with a big smile and a helping hand," she wrote in her nomination letter. "That's what draws you to Butch -- that great smile that always reaches his eyes."

In 1990, he got a job at Elk Rapids Public Schools in the maintenance department, he said. After the previous transportation director retired, Butch took over that position until 2000. Many of his co-workers remember him from that time.

Sixteen current transportation department employees signed a letter to nominate him: "Butch was our supervisor for the better part of 10 years but more importantly a friend to each and every one of us. He was always there for us, ready to listen and help us in any way possible."

Joyce Powell remembered that when she decided to interview for a job in the transportation department, Butch told her to try it out "to make sure it was what I wanted to do."

"He cared enough, not knowing me from anyone else, to make sure this was what I wanted to do," she wrote. "After trying out the new job, he welcomed me aboard with no reservations and constantly complimented me on the job I did. As a person and a boss, he went above and beyond what most people would do."

Laura Mendoza recalled being encouraged by Butch to become a bus driver.

"I didn't think I had what it took to drive a school bus with so many children," she wrote in her nomination letter.

Thinking about driving a vehicle that large almost made her queasy, she wrote. But with encouragement from Butch and several others, she tried out the new job.

"My first day on the road with children behind me was a day I'll never forget," she wrote. "I was such a bundle of nerves, I thought I was going to lose my lunch, and I let Butch know how I felt. He just laughed and said I'll be fine."

She wrote that without his encouragement, she'd be missing out on the "perfect job" and "a wonderful adventure."

Cheryl Wall recalled the first time she met Butch when she was a brand-new secretary at Mill Creek Elementary School. One of her duties -- "one of the most overwhelming" responsibilities of the job -- was to make sure the students rode the right bus home.

She said Butch was a "God send."

"I could always count on his friendly nature, willingness to help solve problems and truly caring about the people he came in contact with," she wrote.

Toby Miller, Mill Creek's current principal, also remembered Butch for being "invariably caring and warm" and for taking pains to consider others' feelings.

"Although I saw him in many frustrating situations, he never lost his temper and always treated others with respect," Miller wrote. "I believe this would be a much better world and country if other men could display the same gentleness supported by strength of character."

Elmer Peterman called Butch "Mr. Elk Rapids." "Over my 44 years in education, I worked with many outstanding people," he wrote in his nomination letter. "Butch was one of the best."

Peterman said Butch was president of the Elk Rapids Booster Club for many years, and under his leadership "the club prospered."

In addition, Butch also refereed soccer games, kept score, ran chains at football games and ran the clock at basketball games.

The list of community activities that Butch was involved in doesn't end there, though. He was also a volunteer firefighter, and several nominators credited him with starting a girls' softball program in Elk Rapids.

About 30-35 years ago, he built a small ball diamond on the lot next to his house. Cupie said the girls didn't have a place to play ball.

Thomas Paradis, in his nomination letter, recounted the story.

"Once word spread, other girls started showing up after school," he said. "I believe he deserves credit for starting the girls' softball program at Elk Rapids Schools."

Butch said his list of activities was so long that his wife, Cupie would say, "See you in the spring," when school began.

When asked why he became so involved, Butch had a simple answer:

"Just because I wanted to get involved."