An Introduction to
NFB Idaho Treasurer -

Harry Gawith

Harry Gawith is a long time sighted member of the National Federation of the Blind. When a person has the opportunity to attend a national convention, you will always see Harry. Since he attended his first convention in 1972, he has been assigned to assist with the door prize chairman. When names are called for each door prize, he serves as the spotter. But Harry not only participates in this fashion, he is a man who is on the move and always very busy.

Harry graduated from Oregon State University with a degree in Industrial Arts and worked for over a decade at the Idaho Commission for the Blind as the shop instructor. Harry believes in blind persons and he expects performance. When you took a class with Harry, you learned the skills and put them into practice.

Harry is married to the former Jan Omvig, who operates Jan’s Cafeteria in the LBJ Building, which houses the Idaho State Department of Education and several other agencies. For several years, Harry has served as cook for the business.

He has served as Treasurer of the National Federation of the Blind of Idaho since 1975. Harry has never asked for any recognition. However, good things come to good and hard working people. At the 2001 NFBI State Convention in Boise, Harry was given a Special Presidential Award. President Larry Streeter, in introducing Harry stated that the award was long overdue and truly deserved. Harry is an avid golfer and his plaque touched on his interest in the sport and included a golf ball and its relationship to the NFB.

President Streeter in presenting the award declared, “I cannot think of a person more deserving to reserve this recognition than you. Harry Gawith, I know that you love golf but I do not know if you ever made a hole in one – tonight you will – Harry, you always score a hole in one for the NFB.” How true it is.

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