June 16, 2014 at 4:36 p.m.
A lasting legacy: Donald O'Melia Scholarship recognizes selfless service
A lasting legacy: Donald O'Melia Scholarship recognizes selfless service
For decades, Donald O'Melia was a tireless advocate for Rhinelander and the Northwoods as a whole. In recognition of his many years of service, the Wisconsin Law Foundation issues a scholarship in his name to a student who embodies the selfless dedication for which O'Melia himself was so well known.
He passed away in 1991, but his name and his reputation for service remains. In the very office where he once practiced law, his nephew, John O'Melia now works. The younger O'Melia said the scholarship is a fitting tribute.
"He was a great uncle," he said. "He and my father practiced together for all those years. He was a great guy and a great lawyer. We had a lot of great times. After his death, the State Bar (of Wisconsin) wanted to honor Donald. He was a state bar president and they wanted to remember him. It started as a different award. People would nominate different lawyers from around the state they thought were worthy of that recognition."
Donald O'Melia was once described by a journalist as the voice of the people of northern Wisconsin. That title was not unearned. He served as the district attorney for Oneida County for six years. He served on the Rhinelander school board for 23 years and was on a variety of boards for local charities and businesses. This was a man who wanted to give back. His impressive list of accomplishments didn't end there though.
"Donald was involved in everything," John O'Melia said. "He started the Wisconsin Judicare, which is still active today. At that time, in the 1960s, to provide free legal counsel was very important. He served on the school board for 22 years. Today, after four or five terms, guys are done. Donald did it for over two decades."
Donald O'Melia started the Wisconsin Judicare in 1966 while he was serving as president of the state bar. The program was funded by the Office of Economic Opportunity and paid private attorneys to provide legal services to people with a low income.
He also served on the DNR board after former Governor Tommy Thompson appointed him.
His legacy is one of service, but to his family and others in Rhinelander who knew him well, he was also a family man. His daughter, Mary Peterson, said she remembers how much the area meant to him.
"Running for president (of the State Bar of Wisconsin) is a big commitment," she said. "It's not paid, but it was important to my dad to serve at that level. He was also offered a place on the state Supreme Court, but turned it down because of his love of the Northwoods."
At times, he may have been stretched a little thin, but Peterson said he always found time for his family.
"Every noon, we had our big meal," she said. "He would come home and take a power nap for 15 minutes. Then he'd get up, wrinkled suit and all, and go back to work. There aren't very many attorneys with 11 children who would come home from work and take the whole pack of us swimming or berry picking. He did that regularly. He had nephews and nieces tagging along too. People now would cringe at the thought of us all packed into our station wagon with arms and legs hanging out. He always made time for us."
That commitment extended to the community as a whole, and that didn't go unnoticed.
"After his death, there was a basketball game and they observed a moment of silence to remember Donald and all he did," John O'Melia said. "Harlan Larson announced it and it was a nice way to remember him."
Now, the scholarship in his name benefits future attorneys all over the state who aspire to achieve the kind of service Donald O'Melia did. In a way, he continues to serve.
Andy Hildebrand may be reached at [email protected].
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