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Dick
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Dick was a unanimous All-American, playing center and linebacker, and repeated as an All-American in 1964. Despite not carrying the ball, he was a top contender in the Heisman Trophy balloting both years, finishing sixth in 1963, and third in 1964. His jersey number, 50, was one of only two ever retired by the University of Illinois, the other being 77, worn by the legendary Harold “Red” Grange. Eventually, Dick would be named to the College Football Hall of Fame (1983). He is generally considered one of the greatest college football players of all time.
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In 1974 Dick was elected to the International Polka Association's "Polka Music Hall of Fame", and in 1975 he was the recipient of the "Outstanding Young Men of America" award. In 1965 he established the original East Coast Polka Festival, "Pillar Polkabration", now in its 43rd year, and in 1980 held his first of more than 74 "Pillar Polkabration" weekends. These continue to this day in New York!
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Dick Van Patten has proven to have a good head for private enterprise as well. Since 1989, Mr. Van Patten and his partner Joey Herrick have been supplying the public with premium quality dog and cat foods, Natural Balance Pet Foods, Inc. has grown into an international company, providing pet owners superior quality pet foods throughout the United States, Canada, the Pacific Rim and Europe. Today, Natural Balance is highly regarded for their Ultra Premium line of pet foods for dogs and cats.
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"It is not an exaggeration to say that the Mr. Whipple character, which Dick Wilson portrayed for so many years, is one of the most recognizable faces in the history of American advertising," said Dennis Legault, Charmin brand manager. "Dick deserves much of the credit for Charmin's success. He helped define Charmin with consumers, reinforcing the product's softness with the 'Please Don't Squeeze the Charmin' slogan. He is a part of the Charmin family, and he will be missed."
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Dick has previously worked with Accel as CEO or Chairman of three category-defining portfolio companies. He was CEO of Illustra Information Technologies, a pioneer of object database technology, which was acquired by Informix in 1996. Dick was then co-founder and Chairman of Quokka Sports, an online immersive media company, which completed its initial public offering in 1999. Most recently Dick was CEO of Wily Technology, the leader in Web application management, which was acquired by Computer Associates in 2006.
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PALM SPRINGS, Calif., Jan. 9 /PRNewswire/ -- TV legend Dick Van Patten, will be honored with the 301st star on the Palm Springs Walk of Stars. The star will be unveiled Saturday, January 12th, 2008 at 11:00AM at 125 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way in Palm Springs.
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