In an elegant ballroom filled with legends in the making, the Quarter Century Collie Group honored three of our sport’s significant influencers. The group’s President, Tom Coen, presided over an evening of reminiscing as Dr. Richard Greathouse and Dorothy Welsh were inducted into the Quarter Century Collie Group’s Hall of Fame and Gayle Kaye received the prestigious Right Stuff Award.
Lots of hard work and anticipation went into coordinating such an event. The team that worked together to orchestrate the special moments included QCCG Vice President Leslie Jeszewski, Secretary Darci Brown, and Treasurer Heather Newcomb.
Hall of Fame storyboards with pictures of the past inductees lined the Marriott’s Pere Marquette Cotillion Ballroom. Juniors spent the day carefully organizing and creating an impressive display. The historic hotel’s celebrated architecture, magnificent murals, and chandeliers made the venue a most appropriate setting to celebrate the honorees past and present.
1923 – 2015
Dr. Greathouse was a unique man. He was a public man who was very passionate about community service. He was a pediatrician, the coroner for Louisville, Kentucky, a Naval Reserve captain, a professor at the University of Louisville medical and dental college, counselor to victims of tragedy, supporter of numerous animal welfare organizations, dog show judge, a Collie breeder and exhibitor, and a Norwich Terrier and Papillon breeder. Dr. Greathouse was one of the founders of the Collie Club of Kentucky and a lifetime member of the Louisville Kennel Club and the Collie Club of America.
Notable Collies that were owned by Dr. Greathouse were CH Lewellen Cali-Collaire and his homebred CH Devonshire Dark Cheri who was Winners Bitch at the Collie Club of America National Specialty in 1960.
A former President of the Collie Club of America, he judged Best of Breed three times at the Collie Club of America National Specialty (1964, 1974 & 1981), the Doberman National specialty three times, the Akita Club of America, the Giant Schnauzer Club of America, the Mastiff Club of America, the Komondor Club of America, the Lakeland Terrier Club of America, the Beverly Hills Kennel Club, and judged at Westminster four times, which included the Herding Group in 1983.
He was a founding member of the Collie Health Foundation, as well as an ambassador for 25 years for the Morris Animal Foundation.
In his spare time, he was also the Roc Doc, being the doctor for the bands that played many concerts in Kentucky. He became a favorite physician of some rock bands, and he would attend their concerts in other states as their physician.
Doc lived a full and healthy life until he passed away at home at the age of 92.
1923 – 2015
Dorothy Welsh was born Jan. 13, 1923 in Chicago. The family located to Oak Park and Des Plaines where Dorothy graduated from Northwestern University/National College of Education and earned her Master’s from the University of Colorado. She did graduate assistant research work on autism and became one of the earliest elementary educators to study the spectrum disorders.
Ultimately, she left elementary education and working with children with autism and turned her energy to exhibiting and breeding Collies in 1944 under the kennel name of BELLOCHANTY and continued to actively show Collies through 1969. She showed CH. Bellochanty Belafonte to BIS from the classes to finish. She had Best in Show Collies in three of their four colors. She married J. Lynn Welsh, also a prominent exhibitor-breeder-judge, in 1969 who encouraged her to become more active in judging. He passed away in 1974.
Dorothy judged dog shows worldwide for 45 years. She judged all breeds and served as a judge on every settled continent. She judged Intersex at the 1996 Collie Club of America National in Columbus, Ohio, and she judged Intersex at the 1984 Collie Club of America National in Allen Park, Michigan. She judged the Canadian Collie National in 1996. She was the Best in Show judge at Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in 1991. One of the original proponents for a formal museum celebrating dogs, which ultimately became the American Kennel Club Museum of the Dog, Dorothy served as President of that museum. Mrs. Welsh served on the Board of Directors of the AKC, as an AKC Delegate for the Chicago Collie Club, and was President of the Wheaton KC. She was inducted into the Ken L Ration Hall of Fame in 1993 and received the Fido Award for “Woman of the Year” in 1987. Her international following increased again when she performed as color commentator on the USA Channel and other telecasts of major dog shows in the 1980s.
Dorothy passed away on November 17, 2015 at the age of 92. Not just did the Collie World lose a pillar of our breed but the entire dog world in the United States did as well.
QCCG Vice President Leslie Jeszewski explains to us the significance of the Right Stuff Award. “It came about as the inception of past QCCG President, the late and deeply missed Chip Atkins. Chip wanted to start a new tradition, the QCCG banquet, for future years by initiating the “Right Stuff Award” to a living honoree, dedicated to the Collie world—a selfless, special person who made a difference. This year’s recipient, Gayle Kaye, most certainly defines Atkins’ vision!
One who’s done it all, Dr. William Brokken entertained the crowd with stories about Gayle Kaye, and a video presentation prepared by Ginny White was enjoyed by all. Unfortunately, a last-minute emergency prevented Ginny from being there in person to sing the praises of her dear friend and mentor.
As breeder, exhibitor, judge and mentor, Gayle has dedicated her life to the Collie.
Chelsea Collies is known for beauty, temperament, health and intellect, contributing to the breed and bringing joy to many.
She has made contributions to CCA and CHF serving in multiple roles. A noted historian, she has authored award-winning Collie books.
In recognition for all her contributions, we honor Gayle with the Right Stuff award.
In years past, others whose presence were celebrated in the Cotillion Ballroom include United States Presidents John Kennedy, Gerald Ford, Ronald Regan, and Dwight Eisenhower. Bob Hope, Tony Bennett, Richard Pryor, and Dr. Martin Luther King also spent time in this Peoria, Illinois, landmark’s grand salon. Perhaps some of our Collie Club of America Juniors who helped prepare the room for this year’s ceremonies will achieve such success!
Thanks to Laura DeLaurentis, DeLAURENTIS PHOTOGRAPHY, for capturing the memories of this spectacular event!
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