Late Otto Bos, Schoolteacher Among ‘Citizens of the Year’

The late Otto Bos, aide to Gov. Pete Wilson, and Betsy Chamberlain, a teacher for 25 years, were among the 11 San Diegans honored as “Citizens of the Year” last week.

The annual awards are part of America’s Finest City Week, which was established in 1972 by then-Mayor Pete Wilson to celebrate the city of San Diego. The weeklong celebration ending Sunday is organized each year by the San Diego Junior Chamber of Commerce.

About 300 people attended the ninth annual awards dinner, held at the Hyatt Regency La Jolla, said George Mitrovich, president of The City Club, which presents the awards.

Chamberlain, city budget analyst James Baross Jr., firefighter Gordon Browne, Sheriff’s Deputy David Geasland, attorney Virginia Nelson, Dr. Christopher Mathews and Police Detective Paul Olson were chosen by their professional associations to receive the award.

Four other honorees--Bos, Judge Robert Coates, philanthropist Judson Grovenor and attorney Terry Lehr--were selected by The City Club and the Jaycees, Mitrovich said.

“The awards are not given because they perform their professional responsibilities well,” Mitrovich said. “They are paid to do that. But it is given in recognition of all those extra things that some people do on behalf of all kinds of organizations--charitable, arts and athletic. They are people who are participants and involved with their community.”

The award to Bos, the second posthumous award bestowed in nine years, is given in honor of his memory and the contribution he made to so many lives, Mitrovich said. The first posthumous award was given in honor of U.S. Navy Capt. William A. Robinson, who was involved with the San Diego Crew Classic.

Municipal Judge Coates was chosen for his efforts in focusing attention on the plight of street people and the homeless, Mitrovich said.

Businessman Grovenor was selected for his generosity to the San Diego Symphony, Children’s Hospital and other community groups.

Attorney Lehr was chosen for his civic contributions to the San Diego Crew Classic, the Old Globe, the House of Hospitality in Balboa Park and other groups.

The City Club is a nonprofit group established 16 years ago to provide a forum for public issues, Mitrovich said. The group has sponsored three national conferences, including a conference on immigration.