Northwest Ohio is home to talented and generous people from all walks of life. They take time to impact the community through their work, by volunteering or with good-natured entrepreneurship. M Living, showcasing community members in our publication throughout 2024, is recognizing 50 locals, all over the age of 60, whose contributions to our community have improved the quality of life. The December/January issue honored the first eight community members, the February/March issue featured the second eight profiles, the April/May issue featured the third set of profiles, the June/July issue featured the fourth set of profiles and the August/September issue featured the fifth set of profiles. Here are our final 10 50 Over 60 Community Standouts.
Fritz Bryers
[law]
Fritz Bryers has been practicing law for over 46 years, specializing in constitutional law, healthcare, education, prison reform and complex civil and implant litigation. Bryers received his undergraduate degree in American History and English from Duke University and continued his education at Harvard Law School where he obtained his Jurisprudence. At Harvard, Bryers served as Book Review Editor for Harvard Law Record and he founded and directed the Civil Rights Action Committee. Bryers is dedicated to establishing and advancing the rights of free speech and free press, as well as access to information about the government.
His contributions outstretch his legal work. Fritz was also a visiting professor at The University of Toledo for 12 years where he taught constitutional law, communication law and the first amendment. He is also dedicated to several community efforts, serving on boards for several Toledo organizations. He is also the president and CEO of Vintage Ariel, host of Jazz Spectrum on WTGE and the lead guitarist of the Fritz Bryers Band.
“There are always problems to solve, and I take great pleasure in solving problems efficiently and effectively. And there are always causes that can be advanced, at least in part through the legal system,” Bryers said. “So there’s always something to be accomplished, and always people to be helped, groups of people whose interests need to be protected or societal causes that need to be vindicated.”
Dr. Tony Armstrong
[healthcare]
Dr. Tony Armstrong has over 38 years of experience in the medical field. Dr. Armstrong received his Doctorate of Medicine from Wright State University in 1985 and received his American Board of Obstetrics, he studied Obstetrics and Gynecology at the Georgia Baptist Medical Center and completed his Residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at the Atlanta Medical Center. He then went on to practice with his father, who also practiced obstetrics and gynecology for 50 years. He and his father worked together for 14 years.
Dr. Armstrong has been the Medical Director for Specialty Care and Obstetric Services at Mercy Health Physicians North for the last 10 years. He is also a Delegate for the Ohio State Medical Association and the American Medical Association and 2019 President-Elect of The Ohio State Medical Association. “Every life experience contributes to the development of a person’s character. My key role models were my mother, a federal magistrate judge and my father, an OBGYN for 50 years in Toledo,” Dr. Armstrong wrote. “My passion for medicine extends beyond daily clinical practice as I am an advocate for healthcare reform.”
Jerry Anderson
[TV Personality]
Jerry Anderson has graced the screens of Toledo homes for over 40 years. Anderson’s first job in broadcasting was in radio at WFOB in 1974. He spent four years there before moving to WSPD Radio in Toledo in 1978. In 1980 he made the jump from radio to TV, starting his career in television news. By 1981, Anderson was anchoring the 6 pm and 11 pm news on Channel 13. In 1994 Anderson joined WTOL 11 news to anchor “First at Five.” Before long, Anderson was anchoring the 5 pm, 6 pm and 11 pm news on Channel 11. Jerry retired in 2018 after 24 years at WTOL 11.
Throughout his 24 year career, Anderson has received an Emmy for Outstanding News Anchor in the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Cleveland region, won two Edward R. Murrow awards and was named best News Anchor in Ohio by the Ohio Associated Press Broadcasters. Anderson continues to stay active in the Toledo community after retirement. “I was meant to do this. When you think about my interest from the time that I was a kid, this is what I wanted to do, and then doors kept opening for me,” Anderson said. “That to me, was a God thing,” he added.
Dr. Riaz N Chaudhary
[healthcare]
Dr. Riaz N Chaudhary served patients in Oregon for over 30 years. Dr. Chaudhary received his medical degree from King Edward Medical College, now King Edward Medical University, in Lahore, Pakistan in 1970. Dr. Chaudhary, a Pakistan native immigrated to the United States in 1972. He interned at Lakewood Hospital during his first year in Cleveland, and moved to Toledo to complete his residency at the Medical College of Ohio, now the University of Toledo Medical Center. He founded the Oregon Clinic Inc. of Oregon in 1978, where he was the president and practiced until he retired. Dr. Chaudhary has also been a member of the Toledo Rotary Club since 1995.
“After following in my older brother’s footsteps, I decided to become a Medical Doctor. I have served patients in the Oregon area for more than 30 years,” Dr. Chaudhary wrote. “I am passionate in the diagnosis and treatment of chronic diseases with a major interest in diabetes, heart failure and hypertension.”
Laneta Goings
[volunteer]
Laneta Goings is a woman of many hats: leader, realtor, volunteer, mother and grandmother. After receiving her BA from the University of Toledo in Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies, Goings was the Vice President of Apex Micrographics for 32 years, from 1979 to 2011. In 2009, Goings began her real estate career as a realtor for Howard Hanna Real Estate Services.
Goings is most admired for her volunteer work. She has provided her guidance and leadership skills to several nonprofit and civic organizations around Lucas County, including The Toledo Zoological Society, the YWCA, 40th St. Vincent Women’s Advisory Committee, Sherman Elementary School and many more. The organization Goings is most proud to volunteer for is the brainchild organization of her grandson, Touré McCord, Books For Buddies, a campaign that encourages literacy and provides free reading materials to disadvantaged youth in Northwest Ohio. Goings is the founder and president of the organization. “As a child, it was instilled in me that it is ‘More Blessed to Give than to Receive.’” Goings told Mature Living.
Pat Appold
[entrepreneur]
Pat Appold, together with her late husband James, developed the historic Oliver House into what it is today: a space for restaurants and pubs, meeting rooms and apartments. The Oliver House is the oldest commercial building in Toledo still in use. Today, the Oliver House is home to Maumee Bay Brewing Co., Rockwell’s Steakhouse and some apartment units.
Appold is the president of The Oliver House Development Co. and Maumee Bay Brewing Co. In 2014, Appold and her late husband James won the Outstanding Philanthropist Award by the Northwest Ohio Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals. Appold is also on the Board of Trustees for the Greater Toledo Community Foundation.
Susan Reams
[arts]
Susan Reams had a pivotal role in the development of Toledo’s nationally recognized public art program. Reams had been on the board of the The Arts Commision of Greater Toledo for 50 years and is an Honorary Trustee to the commission as well. Reams was also an art consultant for Mayor Jack Ford from 2002-2006.
Reams, a highly praised art advocate, was appointed to serve on the Ohio Arts Council from 1984 to 1994 by Gov. Richard Celeste. She was instrumental in the creation of the 1% For Art Program and the Art In Public Places program. She was first chair of the Art in Public Places program for over 50 years. In 2019 Reams raised $900,000 to reinstall the light art project on the Anthony Wayne Bridge.
Dee Talmadge
[volunteer]
Dee Talmadge, former elementary school teacher and Ottawa Schools board member, has a lifelong commitment to volunteer and philanthropy. Talmadge, a graduate of DeVilbiss High School has given back to the city that raised her throughout her life. She received her B.S. in Education from the Ohio State University and her master in education in elementary guidance counseling from The University of Toledo. She and her husband Lance both received the Blue T Award from UT for their contributions to the progress of the Alumni Association and the University. Talmadge also received the Dr. Alice Skeens “Outstanding Woman Award” from UT Women’s Commission and the College of Education’s Distinguished Alumnus Award.
She was appointed to the Owens Community College Board of Trustees in 2002, 2008 and 2014. She has served on several other boards including Women in Philanthropy board of the University of Toledo, American Red Cross, Kidney Foundation, Toledo Hospital Auxiliary, foundation boards for ProMedica Toledo Hospital, Historic Woodlawn Cemetery, Ottawa High School and many more.
Robert Zollweg
[design]
Robert Zollweg, renowned designer for Libbey Glass was the designer and creative director for Libby Inc. for over 45 years. His dedication to the historic Toledo company is evident in the work he continues after his retirement. He is the current president of Libby House, the historic home of Edward D. Libbey, “father of the glass industry” in Toledo.
Zollweg is also the author of 200 Years Of Glass: A History of Libbey Glass, which details the history of the innovative company. In 2019, Zollweg was named the 45th Guest Artist Pavilion Project (GAPP) artist. During his GAPP residency, Zollweg focused on making glass through hand sand casting.
Olivia Holden
[non-profit]
Olivia Holden has been the Executive Director for ASSETS Toledo, a non-profit that serves people interested in starting and learning about the skills needed to run a business, for over 23 years. Holden attended the University of Toledo, where she earned her degree in Paralegal and Human Resources, the University of New York at Albany where she majored in nursing, Capital University in Columbus where she became a Certified Business Analyst and Notre Dame University where she became a Certified Business Executive.
Holden serves on the board of Toledo Lucas County Seagate Convention Center and the Huntington Center. She is also a member of the Unison Behavioral Health Group Board and the University of Toledo MBE Diversity Council. She was appointed by Governor Ted Strickland to the State of Ohio Minority Business Council and is certified mediator by the Supreme Court of Ohio.
“What motivates me is seeing a person walk through the door and they are like, ‘Oh, the deer in the headlights,’ but once we get in and we talk and we teach and they perform,” Holden told Ohio Black Expo, “There’s nothing greater knowing that there’s some little bit that we have imparted in they can now become independent.”
