The Oro Valley Historical Society is guided by a dedicated team of volunteers who serve as our Board of Directors and Committee Chairs. Their collective efforts ensure the preservation and celebration of Oro Valley’s rich heritage. From organizing educational programs to managing historical collections, these individuals play a pivotal role in bringing our mission to life.
President: Bob Kellar
Vice President: Open
Secretary: Devon Sloan
Treasurer: Paul Loomis
Founders of the Oro Valley Historical Society
Officers: Sue Chambasian, Twink Monrad
Scroll down the page to read the bios of our leaders!
Collections: Sue Chambasian
Docents: Tina Zogott
Heritage Garden/Education: Joyce Rychener
Newsletter: Les Chambasian
Speakers Bureau: Open
Advisors: Pat Spoerl, Jim Williams
Founders: Dick Eggerding, Jim Kriegh, Pat Spoerl, PhD.
The Oro Valley Historical Society was established on April 25, 2005.
President
Bob began volunteering at Oro Valley Historical Society in 2022. He hails from Vancouver, Washington, where he raised his family, and was a pharmacist owner of an independent pharmacy and medical supply business.
Upon retirement, he relocated to Oro Valley, where he fell in love with the blue sky, the town’s charm and the stunning backdrop of the Catalina Mts. And in the Oro Valley Historical Society, he found a like-minded group of individuals who take their love of history seriously, work hard, and enjoy themselves immensely in the process.
Bob was appointed as our President in May 2025 and feels honored and excited to be taking the reins of OVHS in this, the twentieth year of the society’s existence. He hopes to focus on an improved website and social media presence to increase outreach, and continued attention to improvements at Steam Pump Ranch, our home.
And, as always, he looks forward to sharing the history of Greater Oro Valley to any and all who will listen. History is fun, and it loves company!
Secretary
Devon has been a volunteer with the Oro Valley Historical Society since 2018 after retiring as Director of Convention Services at the El Conquistador Resort, A Hilton Hotel.
She moved to Oro Valley from Seattle in 1999 and was delighted to become part of an organization that is able to provide camaraderie with other volunteers while sharing the incredible stories of people, animals, geology, vegetation, architecture, and more that are such important parts of our community.
Join us – history loves company!
Officer
I am from Racine, Wisconsin. I earned a bachelor’s degree in Physical Education with a minor in History and later a Master of Education degree. I taught high school physical education for 31 years and volunteered at the Racine Heritage Museum Research Center.
I joined the Oro Valley Historical Society in 2014 to help organize its collections, and in 2016, I created the Collections Committee to manage and preserve them. I have assisted with creating museum displays, educational posters, and grant writing. Presently, I serve on the Board of Directors, work as a museum docent, and chair the Collections Committee.
My hope is that through our efforts, people of all ages will better understand and appreciate HISTORY.
Officer
I spent most of the first half of my life in Tucson and the rest here in Oro Valley. In 1976, we, with our two sons, bought a house three doors away from Jim and Marjorie Kriegh and their family. We quickly became fast friends. We heard firsthand about the history of the incorporation of the Town of Oro Valley as the idea was born in the Kriegh living room.
When the Oro Valley Historical Society became a reality, I joined as a member and have since served on the Board two separate times. The enthusiasm of all of the volunteers who keep this Society going is amazing and makes me want to continue to participate. The history of the Town is certainly being preserved and more information is learned by all of us as we go along!
