The Castle Award: Honoring Leadership in Advancing Rosecrance’s Mission of Recovery

First instituted in 2007, the Castle Award recognizes individuals and families who’ve provided exceptional or exemplary leadership to advance Rosecrance’s mission.

Recipients of the Castle Award are among the most dedicated supporters of Rosecrance. Their contributions embody the spirit of visionary leaders Clarence and Millard Castle through an unparalleled commitment to Rosecrance and the individuals and families we serve.

The Castle Society badge

About Clarence and Millard Castle

Between them, father and son Clarence and Millard Castle watched Rosecrance grow from a small orphanage into the organization that it is today. Together, they provided more than 100 years of combined service and leadership.

Clarence E. Castle began his service in the early 1920s as a member of the Rosecrance Memorial Home for Children Board of Directors. An insurance salesman and an active member of Centennial United Methodist Church, Castle joined the Board at the request of the United Methodist Church’s Rock River Conference. He served as treasurer until shortly before he passed away in 1970. Just before his 75th birthday, Clarence said in a newspaper interview that his work on the Rosecrance Board provided his “greatest personal satisfaction.” In 1970, Clarence was honored at the Rosecrance Annual Benefit for his devotion to the agency.

In 1947, after graduation from the University of Illinois and following his service as a Major in the U.S. Army under General George S. Patton in World War II, Clarence’s son, Millard E. Castle, joined the Rosecrance Board. A traffic manager at J.L. Clark until his retirement in 1981, Millard was a faithful member of Centennial United Methodist Church throughout his lifetime and active as a Mason and a Shriner. He loyally served on the Rosecrance Board and the Finance Committee, rarely missing a meeting, until his death in 2005 (at age 90).

As former Rosecrance Board member John McNamara recalls, “Millard was always optimistic.” He adds, “To me it seemed to reflect an enormous faith in God—the cause was right; kids needed our help. “Of course, we could—and would—do it!”

Castle Boulevard, the entrance drive to the Griffin Williamson adolescent campus, was named in ongoing tribute to the unparalleled dedication and philanthropic leadership of these two great men.

Prior Castle Award Recipients

  • 2023: William “Bill” Thiede, Founding Chair of The Rosecrance Foundation
  • 2022: Philip W. Eaton, Former Rosecrance President and CEO
  • 2019: Lisa Lindman, Rosecrance Foundation Board Member
  • 2018 Hoichi Kurisu, Designer of the Healing Garden at Rosecrance Griffin Williamson Campus
  • 2017 John Cook, Rosecrance Health Network Board Member
  • 2016 Northern Illinois Conference of the United Methodist Church
  • 2015 John J. McDonough Chair of The Rosecrance Foundation Chicago
  • 2014 Thomas C. Furst, Board Member and former Chair of Rosecrance Health Network Board
  • 2013 The Rosecrance Family
  • 2012 Jerry Paris, Rosecrance Health Network Board Member and former Chair of The Rosecrance Foundation
  • 2011 The families of John and Linda Anderson and John and Judy Anderson Graff
  • 2010 Randy Krup, Rosecrance Health Network Board member and Rosecrance Properties Board Chairman
  • 2009 John and Kim Griffin, Dave and Cherry Griffin Beto and Wally Griffin Beville, the family of Walt Williamson and Polly Griffin
  • 2007 John Mink, Board member and former Rosecrance Health Network Board Chair
  • 2007 Jean Castle, Honorary Recipient, wife of Millard Castle

Learn more about The Rosecrance Foundation and ways to contribute:


For additional information about how you can help, please contact:

Sally Draper
Sr. Vice President
Executive Director of The Rosecrance Foundation


sdraper@rosecrance.org