Bio: Welsh, Reed – Abbotsford Wall of Fame (2021)

Transcriber: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Welsh

Source: Tribune-Phonograph (Abbotsford, WI) 22 Sep 2021

Reed Welsh will be inducted into Abbotsford’s Wall of Fame as a Friend of Education during a halftime ceremony at the Oct. 1 Homecoming football game versus Oconto.

After graduating from UW-Eau Claire, Welsh began his long educational career in Abbotsford. He taught physical education and history at Abbotsford from 1977 to 2002. In addition to his duties as a teacher, Welsh served as guidance counselor during the 19891990 school year and athletic director from 1991 to 1998.

Welsh was very involved in extracurricular activities while teaching. He coached football for 26 years, nine as head coach. He also was involved in coaching track and field for 14 years, basketball for three years, and one year as an assistant wrestling coach.

Welsh was principal at Abbotsford Middle/Senior High from 2002-2005. In 2005, Reed stepped into the district administrator position where he remained until his retirement in 2016. During that time, he facilitated the District-Wide Strategic Focus Committee, which served as the catalyst for the community successfully passing a $12 million referendum in November of 2007 to replace an aging elementary school and remodel the existing middle/ senior high building.

During his 39 years serving the School District of Abbotsford, Welsh lived and breathed Abbotsford. He took tremendous pride in the district and community. He co-chaired the North Athletic Field Committee, which resulted in the relocation of the football field. He was also a founding member of the Abbotsford Booster Club. Welsh was awarded the Modern Woodman Outstanding Contributions to Community Award in 1998 and the Community Service Award, sponsored by the Abby/Colby Crossing Chamber of Commerce, in 2013. He served as president of the chamber for two years and vice president for five years.

Welsh was active in the Christmas Parade and served on City Economic Development and First City Forward committees. He was on the Lead Gift Committee for the City Community Center/Library/Public Safety Building and was on the City of Abbotsford Planning Commission from 2008-2017.

Reed and his wife, Cherie, currently live in Green Bay, where Reed is a university supervisor of student teachers for UW-Green Bay and UW-La Crosse.

Cherie is also a long time Abbotsford educator. She taught elementary physical education and coached for 32 years prior to retiring in 2012. They are proud parents of three children, all graduates of Abbotsford High School, and four grandchildren.

Their children, Joshua (Wendy), live in Whitefish Bay, with their two daughters, Taylor and Logan. Jordan (Lee) lives in Lake Worth, Fla., with their two sons, Braxton and Braylon. Jenna (Nate) lives in Wauwatosa.