A lifelong Kennewick resident, judge and Army Reservist whose father was named Kennewick Man of the Year and a former elementary school teacher whose husband received the honor earned their own Man and Woman of the Year awards this year.

Steve Osborne and Marilee Eerkes were recognized for their community service during a ceremony on Feb. 26.

Kennewick Man of the Year

Osborne was honored for his work as a longtime volunteer with Tri-Cities Water Follies organization, “one of the more high-visibility, low-thanks, maximum-headache volunteer jobs in our community,” according to his nomination letter.

Until his judicial appointment in 2015, he was the senior partner at the law firm of Rettig Osborne & Forgette LLP in Kennewick. He also served on the governing boards of the Visit Tri-Cities, Tri-City Regional Chamber of Commerce and Kennewick Kiwanis Club.

He served 37 years with the Army Reserves. The lieutenant colonel deployed to Saudi Arabia in 1991 and Joint Base Lewis-McChord from 2003-04, where he performed legal services for soldiers deploying to Iraq and Afghanistan.

He has been very active as a volunteer in the city of Kennewick through the years. Presently, he serves as chairman of the governing board for Columbia Industries, and continues to be an active member/leader of the Kennewick Kiwanis Club. He also has served as a coach for city league basketball in Kennewick.

“Steve really loves Kennewick as a place to live and raise his family. By his continuing community involvement over the years, he has demonstrated a remarkable willingness to give back to his hometown by supporting volunteer efforts with Water Follies, Columbia Industries, Kennewick Kiwanis Club and the other organizations mentioned,” his nomination letter said.

Osborne was nominated by Bill Lampson and Fran Forgette.

Kennewick Woman of the Year

Eerkes was honored for her “steadfast and heartfelt service” for her work with the Boys and Girls Clubs of Benton and Franklin Counties and Children’s Reading Foundation.

“Working in humility, and exerting great influence on those around her, Marilee has made our community a better place. Her overarching focus is the well-being of children, and her efforts have benefitted countless families and will continue to do so for many years,” according to her nomination letter.

She led a campaign to bring a new Boys & Girls Clubs location to downtown Kennewick and to champion the Reading Foundation’s SunMart reading van.

“Marilee demonstrates a philanthropic heart for our community, especially Kennewick. She is willing to give of her time, talent and treasure to make our community a better place and that is a great blessing,” said Brian Ace, Boys & Girls Clubs director, in the nomination letter.

Eerkes also has been a member of P.E.O., a women’s philanthropic group, since the mid-70s.

She helps ensure the Laura Eerkes Memorial Golf Classic, which benefits the Boys & Girls Clubs and Young Life, is a success. In 2017, the event raised $248,000.

She also was a founding partner for the George and Pat Jones Community Service Day and Kennewick Police Department’s Community Cares Fund.

The Kennewick School District honored her as an outstanding community partner. When the district developed a school readiness program in 2002, Eerkes volunteered and helped to guide curriculum improvements, film training videos and conducted focus groups.

Eerkes was nominated by Bev Abersfeller.