By Leslie Collins
Northeast News
July 13, 2011

Rich Noll was more than a likable guy. He was a diligent worker, the go-to problem solver and a man with perseverance.

“He was positive, friendly, had a great sense of humor,” Patty Noll said of her late husband. “He remembered people’s names. He never forgot a name.”

First District City Council member Scott Wagner witnessed this first-hand.

Wagner, who sought to establish the Rich Noll Pacesetter Award to recognize city workers, met Noll 15 years ago while working as the marketing director at City Market. After leaving City Market, they lost contact, but when they ran into each other ten years later, Noll still remembered Wagner’s name.

“Rich Noll was someone who remembered you,” Wagner said during the July 7 unveiling of the award at City Hall. “He cared about you and wanted to have that connection with you. As I started talking to others, it was very evident that not only did I have that experience, but a whole lot of other people did, too.”

Noll worked for the City of Kansas City for 26 years and started out as a public management intern. Working his way up from budget analyst to budget supervisor, he became the assistant city manager in 1995 and continued to serve the city until he died from a sudden illness in 2010.

“The legacy of his service was well known and well appreciated,” Kansas City Mayor Sly James said. “It’s no coincidence this award will be known as the Rich Noll Pacesetter Award because that’s exactly what Rich was – a pacesetter in city hall and city government.”

During the June 16 city council meeting, Jim Glover relayed his experience with Noll.

“I had the opportunity to serve with him for 12 years. I enjoyed every moment,” Glover said.

Noll had the knack of solving a problem with a smile, he added.

With recent wage freezes and staff reductions, Wagner said the award was a chance to not only honor Noll, but the city’s employees who go above and beyond.

Nominees will be judged on customer service, timeliness, communication and concern for residents. Each month, a seven member committee comprised of representatives from the mayor’s office, city manager’s office, business community, Neighborhood Advisory Council, two city council members and Patty Noll will identify a winner from the public’s nominations. Rich Noll Pacesetter Award recipients will receive a proclamation from the city and a prize of their choice, which could include tickets to a show at the Sprint Center or other city owned venues. All nominees will receive a letter of honorary mention from the selection committee.

“These folks are on the front line doing hard work and working hard and they deserve our credit and they deserve our respect,” James said of the city employees.

Asked what it means to have her late husband’s name live on through this award, Noll said, “I think it’s very important and it’s definitely an honor to his service to the city. He took it very seriously. His work with the city was a very important part of his life.

“It was more than a job. It was more than a career. Every day he came here to try to do his best.

“I know that Rich is being extremely honored to have such an award.”