SHARE

Maritime Aquarium Honors Norwalk Law Firm With Red Apple Award

NORWALK, Conn. – Two families, one of Darien and the other formerly of New Canaan, and a Norwalk law firm recently received Red Apple Awards from The Maritime Aquarium.

From left,  Hannah, Sarah, Michael, and Nancy Herde of Boston (formerly of New Canaan); Dr. Brian Davis, president of The Maritime Aquarium; Louise and Michael Widland of Norwalk; and Kit and Rob Rohn of Darien.

From left, Hannah, Sarah, Michael, and Nancy Herde of Boston (formerly of New Canaan); Dr. Brian Davis, president of The Maritime Aquarium; Louise and Michael Widland of Norwalk; and Kit and Rob Rohn of Darien.

Photo Credit: Contributed

The families of Michael and Nancy Herde of Boston (formerly of New Canaan), Rob and Katharine “Kit” Rohn of Darien, and Norwalk’s Shipman & Goodwin law firm were honored Thursday, April 23, at the aquarium’s annual fundraising event.

Michael Herde is a former member of the aquarium’s board of trustees. Nancy Jumper Herde was a member of the Junior League of Stamford-Norwalk – one of the organizations that founded The Maritime Aquarium.

The Herdes sponsored a portion of the “Go Fish! Long Island Sound & Beyond” exhibit in 2010. Their daughter, Hannah, co-chaired The Maritime Youth Advisors and served as an aquarium intern and volunteer.

“We miss all of the Herdes, for their devotion to the Fairfield County community, for their influence on the aquarium’s story and for simply being a collection of tremendous individuals all together in one admirable family,” Brian Davis, aquarium president, said in a press release.

Rob Rohn is chairman of the aquarium’s board of trustees and first joined the board in 2006. Kit Rohn has worked for the National Audubon Society and the environmental research organization Inform. She is a founding member of Conservation International.

The Rohns co-chaired the aquarium’s annual Cirque de la Mer fundraising gala in 2013. Their daughter, Katie, was an aquarium intern; their son, Nick, has served as a volunteer.

“As board chairman, Rob guides the aquarium with intellect, patience and commitment,” Davis said. “He and Kit always bring a warm, graceful presence and passion to their involvement. They inspire us, and we are grateful for all they have done for The Maritime Aquarium.”

Several partners and employees of Shipman & Goodwin, especially Mike Widland and Robin Frederick, have donated many free hours of legal advice to the aquarium.

Widland is secretary of aquarium’s board of trustees. He has also served terms as chairman and vice chairman.

“Mike has guided the aquarium with wisdom over the years,” Davis said. “His connections, insights and expertise have been vital to us here in Norwalk and Hartford.” 

to follow Daily Voice Norwalk and receive free news updates.

SCROLL TO NEXT ARTICLE