Jackie Wahl: Everybody knows her name

Although diminutive in stature, Jackie Wahl’s impact on the Tipp City community has been immense.

And much like the corpulent Norm Peterson striding into his favorite bar Cheers, everyone in town seems to know her name.

Part of the seventh generation of her family born and bred in the area, the ubiquitous Wahl is a tireless advocate and a conscientious steward for the city and its environs. But time takes a toll on us all and while she’s not going into seclusion by any means, the Tipp City graduate plans on stepping back somewhat and giving the roses a little sniff.

As such, one of her shedding of duties is stepping down from the board of the Tipp City Foundation (TCF), where she’s served for nearly four decades. When asked why, she answered succinctly. 

“It was time. When I’m done, I’m done,” she said.

The decision stems from the fact that with her seat coming up for renewal and the board being in a good place with no gaps, now seemed like the perfect time to hand over the reins to current and future board members, she qualified.

“Because I’ve been here so long, people just naturally connect me with the Foundation,” she said. “Serving on the board has allowed me to meet people that I would have not otherwise met.”

Had you asked the 12-year-old Jackie what the TCF was, she wouldn’t have had a clue. But in October 1986, when a classmate of her father said a seat on the board had become available and asked if she’d like to fill it, the 33-year-old mother of two jumped at the chance. And while her father passed away in February 1987, just before her first meeting the following month, Wahl was filled with pride over the fact that her father knew she’d be serving on the board prior to his passing.

Her family history is a keen part of who she is,” said Heather Bailey, TCF volunteer. “She brought her respect for the history of the community to the table when she voted on grants. Communities change over time and she used her influence as a board member to drive for positive, impactful, lasting results.”

At the time she joined, Wahl was the youngest member of the TCF board by several decades. And because of her effervescent personality…she soon became the face of the Foundation. After nearly 40 years, she’ll now leave as one of its elder stateswomen.

A short time into her tenure, the Foundation received a $1 million bequest, which upped the ante on its ability to grant more substantial awards. Prior to that, the most the TCF dished out to qualified 501(c)(3) organizations was approximately $2,000 annually, she said. That figure, and the number of awards now granted, is far greater.

“The Foundation continues to grow,” said Wahl. “It’s a matter of supporting the community we love.”

Never a rubber stamp for applications that came before the board’s purview, Wahl said she only wanted to approve awards that would be of benefit to the community. Admittedly opinionated, she half-jokingly said that people seem to like her in spite of that fact.

“To me, it’s very inspirational that she would invest 39 years of her life with the Tipp City Foundation,” said current board president Richard Bender. “It definitely shows that she cares about our town, the schools, and all the organizations that have been funded.”

Bender added that he’ll miss having her historical information readily available.

“I could always count on her to know the backstory to previous grants and information about the community.”

An avid reader, Wahl’s long been a proponent of buying books for Tipp schools. She’s also excited to have helped fund choir concerts, science fairs, a picnic pavilion at Kyle Park, and to help with the school’s involvement with the Dayton Literary Peace Prize, among many other projects.

Whereas before it was private, the TCF now falls under the umbrella of The Troy Foundation, and as such, has the ability to award scholarships to students, something of which the Tipp City grad is quite proud. 

“As a lifelong resident of Tipp City, Jackie has the understanding of current and historical needs of the community,” said fellow board member Jim Ranft. “Her longevity anchors us to the previous Foundation leadership. Jackie has been involved with the many organizations we serve, giving her great insight into grant requests. I think of her as an ambassador for the Foundation.”

While a senior at Tippecanoe High School, the graduating class had the foresight to vote Wahl, “Most Involved.” As recently as four years ago, she served indefatigably as president of four different organizations. After serving on its board for a number of years, Wahl took over as director of Tipp-Monroe Community Services for several more. Her multitudinous community activities over a lifetime are too numerous to do an accounting.

“I’ve always been involved…it’s in my personality,” she said. “I’ve always wanted to help people.”

She grew up in the country, lived in a Victorian on Main Street for a time and now again lives outside the city limits. Wahl and her late husband of 40 years, Bob (he died in 2013), raised two daughters. Annie is married with children living in Oxford, and Katie is an attorney in Dayton, living in Tipp City, who’s both an alumna and an ardent supporter of the University of Notre Dame. Together, they’ve established a Wahl Family Fund within the Foundation.

Wahl who has received three cancer diagnoses (“Yet here I am”), said she couldn’t imagine living anywhere else but Tipp City (“It’s home”).

Beset by some minor health issues, she wishes to get stronger physically. And even though she’s pairing down, she’ll keep plenty busy with friends, family, reading, and needlework. When the weather’s agreeable, you’ll surely find her out on the porch with her intimidatingly large Malamute-mix canine, Lobato, sitting dutifully by her side.

“I hope people continue to support the Foundation,” she said. “No doubt it will keep on growing.”