Bob Leopold
Sauk County 4-H Volunteer

Bob Leopold joined the Hiawatha 4-H Club in Green County as a shy youth whose parents wanted him to gain confidence and meet other kids. Bob said he benefited most from 4-H in learning to stand up and speak in front of people and being able to help younger members learn.

These 4-H life skills laid the foundation for his career as a teacher and a principal. Bob’s teaching career spanned 33 years, mostly in the Reedsburg School District. Outside of school, Bob maintained ownership of registered cattle and made them available as managerial project animals to 4-H youth who did not own show cattle. He required the youth to work weekly with their project animal and taught them how to fit and show their cattle.

Bob chaperoned State Fair Dairy Youth for 20 years and was Sauk County Fair Dairy Superintendent for 25 years. He also chaperoned youth at Upham Woods and Washington Focus. Bob has officiated as a county fair judge for dairy, goats, youth leadership, and exploring.

Bob served on the Sauk County 4-H Senior Leaders Executive Board for 16 years as a District Representative and two terms as Vice President and President. He represented 4-H as a Citizen Member to the county board UW-Extension Committee. Bob was recognized with the Sauk County Friend of 4-H Award and Friend of the Farmer Award from the Holstein Association.

Bob said his biggest pleasure from volunteering with youth is seeing young people grow and become successful adults, many who are in 4-H today.