Trustee Richard Polter turns 90 alongside his co-op
In May 2026, as NWEC celebrates its 90th anniversary, one of its dedicated trustees will mark a parallel milestone: Richard Polter turns 90.
Born on May 6, 1936, Richard embodies the resilient, community-driven spirit that has defined rural electric cooperatives since their inception. His life story weaves together personal grit, a passion for learning, and decades of service — making him a living testament to the co-op’s enduring mission.
NWEC traces its roots to 1936, when a group of northwestern Ohio farmers, frustrated by the lack of electric service in rural Williams and Defiance counties, formed the cooperative under the Rural Electrification Administration’s federal program. The first lines were energized in January 1938, initially serving members who used an average of just 40 kWh per month. Today, NWEC powers more than 6,000 members across more than 900 miles of distribution lines and 83 miles of transmission lines, with average monthly household usage nearing 1,100 kWh.
Richard’s own introduction to electricity came in 1947, around age 11, after his family — parents Earl and Wilimina Polter, along with his three siblings — moved to a Williams Center-Cecil Road farm. Life before power was simple and demanding: no indoor water, kerosene lamps for light, a wood stove for heat, and a battery-powered radio that allowed perhaps one show per night — often Gene Autry or Tex Ritter.
“When it got dark, you normally went to bed,” Richard recalls.
Laundry meant scrubbing clothes by hand or using a gasoline-engine washer; bathing involved a tub and buckets hauled from outside. Once electricity arrived, lights came on with a switch, indoor plumbing transformed daily chores, and farm work became less burdensome. “Washing clothes...indoor plumbing...electricity just made life so much better,” he says, his voice carrying the quiet gratitude of someone who vividly remembers the before and after.
That pivotal change ignited a lifelong appreciation for progress — and for the knowledge required to embrace it. Richard graduated from Mark Center High School in 1954 and, at 18, volunteered for the military. His Army service took him across continents: basic training at Fort Knox, Morse code school, flights through Newfoundland and Iceland, and deployment to Germany with the 42nd Artillery. He rose in rank, operated radio watch (once nervously holding his own at 18 words per minute against faster operators), and even played baseball for the unit. Discharged in 1956, he returned home and began a 42-year career at Frey Office Supply in Defiance as an office machine repairman.
Using his GI Bill, Richard embarked on a three-year apprenticeship, attending specialized schools in Chicago for Royal typewriters and Addressograph duplicators, and later across the country — Atlanta, Boston, Kansas City — for copier training as technology shifted from typewriters to photocopiers and beyond.
Following in his father Earl’s footsteps, he served as a Mark township trustee for about 12 years. He later earned a CDL license while driving trucks as a township zoning inspector.
In October 2012, an NWEC Trustee approached Richard about filling a board vacancy due to a medical resignation.
“I didn’t know if I’d like the position or not,” Richard recalls, grinning. “Well, turns out I like it.”
Appointed to complete the term, he has served ever since, now in his fifth three-year term. Richard completed NRECA director training, earning a Gold Certificate through courses in Traverse City, Columbus, and more, often traveling with his wife, Carma, whom he married in January 1959 after a chance meeting in Hicksville years earlier.
“You’re never too old to go to school,” he insists. “Whenever you have the opportunity to gain knowledge or take a class, do it. You never know when you’ll use it. You just might get paid for it someday!”
Adapting wasn’t easy. “I’m not a computer man,” he admits. Early board packets were paper stacks, which have now become iPads. NWEC President/CEO Darin Thorp patiently guided him, Richard says.
He questions expenses thoughtfully, often asking, “Why do we do this?” and appreciates clear breakdowns showing member benefits.
“I’ve learned a lot,” Richard says. “Being a co-op, we don’t make money... People don’t know what it takes to hire people these days and run a business.” He advocates innovation and expresses interest in nuclear power for reliable, cost-effective energy.
His motto reflects his practical, humble approach: “I’ll find out and get back with you.” He refuses to guess on member questions — whether about outages or concerns — preferring accuracy over speed.
“Don’t let your ego get ahead of yourself,” he advises, echoing advice from a former boss. “Someone tells you you’re no good? Agree with him ... Swallow your ego and move on ... Tell him, ‘I’ll try to do better next time.’”
This humility has served him well on the board, where he enjoys meeting interesting people, answering calls personally, and connecting authentically.