CHAMBER BESTOWS LIMBAUGH, BUSINESS AWARDS

Vernon Anthony Auer is a man with many careers -- salesman, municipal court judge, Air Force pilot.

In between, Auer spent many hours involved in community projects and sitting on community boards, including the Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce, Boy Scouts, Red Cross, Area Wide United Way and much more.

Over the years, the Cape Girardeau businessman has garnered many honors: Peace Officer of the Year, Chamber Go Getter Award, Boss of the Year, and a special Vernon Auer Day proclamation form the city.

In retirement, Auer picked up another prestigious award Friday night. He received the annual Rush H. Limbaugh Award presented by the Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce during a banquet attended by more than 500 people at the Show Me Center.

The banquet had an otherworldly theme, with inflatable aliens above the dais and flying saucers on the tables.

Also honored at the annual chamber event were Kwik Kopy Printing and Rose Concrete Products Inc., which shared the Small Business of the Year Award. Cathy Schlosser received the Go-Getter Award for the fifth straight year for outstanding work with the chamber's membership committee.

Outgoing Chamber chairman Bart Ozbun recognized new and retiring directors along with his successor, Steve Leus.

David Limbaugh, a Cape Girardeau attorney and syndicated columnist, presented the award named for his grandfather, Rush H. Limbaugh. Established in 1989, the award recognizes a business person who has expended an exceptional effort for the community over time.

Rush Limbaugh sent him a letter congratulating him on his retirement as a judge, Auer recalled for the assemblage. "I just wonder if I did all the things he said I did," he quipped.

An attorney for more than 75 years here, Rush Limbaugh was the award's first recipient. Others include: radio and television station owner Oscar Hirsch; businessman and former mayor Howard C. Tooke; businessmen Harry Rediger, Charles Hutson, Paul Ebaugh and Joe F. Gambill; businessman and former mayor Narvol A. Randol; businessman and former mayor J. Hugh Logan; and businessmen Gene Huckstep, Dennis Marchi and J. Ronald Fischer.

Auer, a native Illinoisan, attended high school at Prairie du Rocher, Ill., Chaminade College at Clayton and McAlister College in St. Paul, Minn. Following graduation, he became a salesman for Missourian Printing and Stationery Co. in Cape Girardeau, selling bank and courthouse supplies. He married Charlotte Walther in 1940.

Auer enlisted in the Air Force in 1942. He received his pilot's wings in 1944 and flew missions in India, Burma and the China Theater over the next two years. He was awarded two Distinguished Flying Crosses, four Air Medals and three Battle Stars. Auer served an additional 26 years in the Air Force Reserve, as commander of the 9671st Air Reserve Squadron at Cape Girardeau and commander of the 9548th Recovery Squadron at Malden, Mo. He retired from the military in 1972 as a lieutenant colonel. He is a member of the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the Hump Pilots Association.

When he left the active Air Force he started Dysart-Auer Studio. In 1948 he moved to Cape Girardeau, where he worked at Walther's Furniture for 37 years and served as president of the company. He also worked at Walther's Funeral Home for 30 years, serving as vice president.

In 1952, Auer was appointed to serve as judge of the Cape Girardeau Police Court. He formed the Missouri Municipal and Magistrate Judge Association in 1958 and is a charter member of that group.

Auer retired as judge on Dec. 27, 1982. On that date, then-Mayor Howard Tooke issued a proclamation declaring Vernon Auer Day in appreciation of his community service for more than 30 years.

This year marked the first time two businesses tied for Small Business of the Year honors.

Kwik Kopy, a franchise, was opened by Richard and Jane Daume in 1985 in 1,200 square feet of leased space at 354 Silver Springs Road. The business grew fast. By the end of the second year, the company won an award from its franchise for the greatest increase in sales in one year.

Gross sales had grown from $91,000 to $203,000.

Kwik Kopy moved into its own new 5,000-square-foot building at 112 S. Broadview in 1995. The company had grown 710 percent in 10 years.

Kwik Kopy offers customers all printing services, including full-color newsletters and brochures. The company employs 11 workers.

Rose Concrete was acquired by Larry and Bettye Payne in 1984. The company has expanded its markets from Missouri to include Illinois, Tennessee and Kentucky.

During the first year, the staff of seven grew to 13. Today, Rose Concrete employs 20 full-time and six part-time workers.

The company's annual growth has averaged 20 percent.

Rose Concrete manufactures concrete pipes, box culverts and various precast concrete products.

The company started its own concrete supply company in 1990.

Other new equipment permits the company to produce pipes from 12 inches to 72 inches in diameter.