On Thursday, October 21st, 2021 Rory Schroeder (EHS class of '73) was recognized as the 2021 Alumnus of the Year at the Elkhorn Public Schools Foundation's annual Hall of Fame event.

Rory Schroeder (EHS class of '73) with Hall of Fame award presenter Laura Burford, (EHS class of '93)

Rory Schroeder was born in Omaha, Nebraska to Orlo and Aloise Schroeder on April 1st, 1955. They lived in the Millard area where his brother Wyatt was born. Rory started attending Elkhorn Public Schools in elementary school.
Orlo and Aloise bought a local plumbing business in Elkhorn, and when Rory and Wyatt were old enough to drive, they began to learn the plumbing trade. Rory graduated from high school in 1973 having played football, basketball, track, and baseball. He also played trumpet in the band and sang in the choir. Rory and his future wife, Kathy Pojar, had the leads in the high school musical his senior year, and Kathy has been his “Fair Lady” ever since.

Rory and Kathy married in the fall of 1974. Rory went to work full time, and they started their family. God blessed them with a son Nick and a daughter Laura. Rory and Wyatt bought the business from their parents and began Schroeder Plumbing Inc; working on new homes, service work, and backhoe work. Since they owned the only backhoe in town at one time, they also had the responsibility of digging graves in area cemeteries. In the late 1980s, Rory was asked to be on the board and to become sexton of Prospect Hill Cemetery. Rory continues to hold these volunteer positions to this day. Rory served as treasurer of District 41 School for 9 years where Nick and Laura attended through 6th grade. Both Nick and Laura graduated from EHS as well as Rory and Kathy. Nick is a cardiologist in Veterinary medicine working in South Florida. Laura works for an Omaha Company, Medical Solutions, but lives in South Dakota working remotely from home. She and her husband blessed the family with three grandchildren: Jacob, Cassidy,
and Reed. 

Rory and Kathy joined Our Saviour’s Baptist Church 42 years ago and have been involved in bible studies, boards, and commissions, as well as Youth for Christ (Campus Life) at EHS from 1980 to 1995, holding most of the meetings in their home.  Rory continues to own and operate Schroeder Plumbing Inc. in western Douglas County and the surrounding area. He and Kathy built a home 9
miles north of Elkhorn on an acreage in Washington County. They enjoy spending time with their children, grandchildren, and extended family.  They have been blessed with lifelong friends that they still get together with regularly.