Berenice Abbott
This influential 20th century photographer was born in Springfield in 1898. She studied briefly at Ohio State University before moving to Europe to study sculpture in Paris and Berlin. Her first major works were featured in a 1921 gallery and she had her own studio by 1926.
After much success, she returned to America and took up residence in New York City, focusing on architectural pieces that later made up the “Changing New York” exhibit. She also worked with several other subjects, including science. She was forced to move to Maine due to health reasons and passed away at her home in Monson at the age of 93.
Alaina Reed-Hall
Born in Springfield as Bernice Ruth Reed in 1946, Alaina Reed-Hall is best known for her long-time role as Olivia Robinson on PBS’ “Sesame Street.” Reed-Hall had a successful career on the small screen, also having the role of Rose Lee Holloway on the NBC sitcom “227” and recurring roles on “Ally McBeal” and “ER” in the 1990s.
Reed-Hall had been in talks to return to “Sesame Street” in the early 2000s, but passed away from breast cancer in 2009. She was 63.
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Will McEnaney
Many sports buffs might know this name thanks to the part he played in baseball history. Will McEnaney was born in Springfield in 1952 and is a North High School graduate. Drafted by the Cincinnati Reds in 1970, he went on to pitch as part of the “Big Red Machine,” the Reds roster that dominated the National League between 1970 and 1979, clenching two World Series titles during the span.
McEnaney went on to play for other teams after being traded by the Reds in 1976, including the Montreal Expos, the Pittsburg Pirates and the St. Louis Cardinals. Today, McEnaney lives in Florida.
Richie Furay
This 1997 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee is actually a Yellow Springs native. Not much is known about his younger days, but Richie Furay is best known as one of the members of legendary folk/rock group Buffalo Springfield, along with other big names like Neil Young and Stephen Stills. Furay was also part of two other influential bands: Poco and the Souther-Hillman-Furay Band.
After his formal retirement, he became a pastor in Colorado, but still performs on the circuit in both solo concerts and sometimes as a member of Poco.
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Rick White
This former baseball player is a Kenton Ridge High School graduate. He was drafted by the Pirates in 1990 and eventually became a relief pitcher for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. White played for several other teams during his career as well, including the Phildelphia Phillies, the New York Mets and the Houston Astros.
Currently, he is the co-owner and general manager of the Champion City Kings, a collegiate summer baseball team in Springfield.
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