Franklin Schodek of Richmond, at right, a career land surveyor, received the 2017 Bert E. Bleil Heritage Award for his exemplary lifetime work in local history preservation and promotion. At left is Richmond Mayor Evalyn Moore, who delivered the presentation speech. Also pictured is Fort Bend County Historical Commission chairman Charles Kelly of Sugar Land, who emceed the Thursday, March 2 (Texas Independence Day) award event at Safari Texas. The award and its trophy, a bronze eagle in flight on a base shaped like Fort Bend County, were the brainchild of the late Bert Bleil of Richmond, past chair of the commission.
PHOTO COURTESY OF SCOTT WILLEY, FORT BEND HERALD