ROTARY...
THE
IOWA
INFLUENCE
District Governors, District Conferences
and Rotary Highlights
A compilation of historical facts concerning the administration
of Rotary International within
District 6000 and its precursors.
By Bill M. Reese
Governor, 1994-95
DEDICATION:
This book is dedicated to :
My wife Joyce
for her love, patience and understanding
for being my partner and very best friend.
All future District Governors and their partners
may their Rotary service be as enjoyable as mine.
This book is printed as an approved project of Rotary International - District 6000.
Use of the information herein for any commercial purpose is prohibited.
Dear Rotarian,
Why this book? When I was putting together my district
directory for 1994-95, I happened to notice that previous directories
had not been consistent in the spelling of the names of Past District
Governors. I tried to do a little research, and discovered that the
district records really didn't have much information beyond three to
five years back. I did the best I could -- and have since discovered that
I made the wrong choice in variations of a name or two. With as
Bill M. Reese 1
much effort as a Governor expends -- I think it only fair that we
maintain the correct spelling of his name. Don't you? I also
Bill M. Reese
wondered about WHO these men were -- what they did for a living
and how they fit into their communities. What led them to become a Rotary District Governor? I
still don't have all the answers -- and never will -- but I've gained a much better idea of their
good works and the INFLUENCE they had on Iowa business and community life -- and on the
formation and growth of Rotary!
What really got me started was when PDG Paul Hellwege gave me his collection of past
district conference program books. Then, Chuck Mooney, long-time secretary of the Bettendorf
club, filled in some of the missing years. In response to requests, several clubs and individuals
have provided bits of information. An appeal to Margaret Omori, our service supervisor at
Evanston, resulted in a large box of historical official conference reports and many conference
programs -- including the very first -- Governor John Knutson's in 1916! There are still some
gaps -- and pictures are hard to find. I continue to have hope that some of the missing items will
surface, and can be included at a later date.
So -- what has been The IOWA Influence on Rotary? Well -- read on and find out about
PAUL P. HARRIS who read law in Des Moines in 1889 and received an LL.D. degree from the
University of Iowa; MACK OLSEN, first president of the Rotary Club of Des Moines in 1911
and RI vice-president in 1913-14; WILLIAM COPPOCK (1920-21) of Council Bluffs who was
RI 2nd vice-president in 1921-22; PAUL RANKIN (1922-23) of Dubuque who became First
Assistant Secretary at RI headquarters; CARL WEEKS (1923-24) of Des Moines and his strong
hand in developing early Rotary philosophy in 1915-16 and his outstanding leadership as
Governor; CLYDE L. HULSIZER (1928-29) of Des Moines who was an RI Director in 1929-30;
HENRY J. BRUNNIER, RI President in 1952-53 who was born in Manning, Iowa, and whose
wife was the original Rotary Ann; ALLIN W. DAKIN (1953-54) of Iowa City who became an
RI Director in 1955 and RI 3rd Vice President in 1956; and all the others, who in their own way,
have helped make Rotary and District 6000 what it is today.
Yes, there are some untold stories. One, two, or more of the PDG's fell from favor or did
not live up to expectations. But, each brought their own set of abilities and their unique
personalities to the job of Governor -- and Rotary is the better for it.
Someone once told me that no matter what happens during the term -- a Governor will be
remembered for the District Conference -- and if the attendees had FUN and learned something
about Rotary. It is obvious that most Governors tried to accomplish this, however, times change
and the Rotary District Conference is no longer viewed as the "Social Event of The Year." The
"old-timers" seemed to have a different approach to FUN -- as described in the following excerpt
from the Rotary Club of Ames 75th Anniversary Book (author unknown):
In 1921, the average age of our members was 37; in 1951 that average had jumped to 50, and currently it
stands at almost 57. While age may not entirely dictate the level and nature of fellowship activities, past records do
disclose that much of the fun and hilarity of the early days was a bit more raucous at times.
District Conventions in those early days were attended by at least 75% of the members, and the Ames Club
always produced some uproarious stunts and entertainments. At the Sioux Falls convention in March, 1922, all the
members wore big badges and took along five footballs painted with the Iowa State College insignia. When the
Ames delegation started tossing those footballs around the hall, it created a considerable uproar and resulted in much
applause from brother club members.
When the convention was held in Davenport in 1923, a large delegation attended from Ames. The hotel
accommodations were so limited that they had to sleep four and six to a room, so it's easy to guess how much
sleeping was done. The favorite song on this trip was "My Name is Yon Yonson; I Come From Visconsin", and the
passenger coaches were filled with songs all the way home.
At the Waterloo convention in 1924, the club sent the "Mechanical Quartette" composed of four members
dressed in coveralls, their faces painted white to represent robots. The leader was equipped with a screw driver and
an oil can to keep the robots in good working order and in tune. The favorite song at the Convention was "The Old
Oaken Bucket", and when "Hop" Hopkins got stuck on the word "Bucket, Bucket, Bucket", and the leader had to use
his screw driver and oil can to get him going again, the convention members went into hysterical laughter and
applauded vigorously.
The following year the Ames Club developed the "Swinnette Quartette" and the four members used horns
soldered on the end of a length of stovepipe for their instruments. Dressed in appropriate uniforms and humming
old time tunes through their horns, the group again made a big hit at the convention and won first prize for their
comedic efforts.
The District Rotary picnics held at the college in the late 20's were always big affairs with attendance
ranging from twelve to fifteen hundred. These picnics by the Ames club usually developed into old time Fourth of
July celebrations with potato races; fat men's races; sack races; nail-driving contests, and pole climbing contests.
Baseball games between different towns were enjoyed by the men, and the children enjoyed the gymnasium and the
swimming pool. The District Governor was usually in attendance and gave a speech in the evening, after which
Tolbert MacRae led the crowd in community singing.
While the district conferences of recent years may(?) be a little more restrained,
friendships are still reinforced there and the spirit of Rotary continues to thrive and grow
stronger and stronger. I wish I could write about the results of Rotary in Iowa...all the
community and humanitarian projects...countless numbers...but the book would be too big to
carry.
********
A friend of mine once wrote, "I don't know if this book is a labor of love, or a love of
labor." My feelings, at this point, are the same. Fortunately, it has been INTERESTING &
FUN! I've had to choose a stopping point for now -- this effort will never be finished ---knowing full well that the good works of Rotary and District 6000 will go on and on ------Your Rotary friend,
Bill Reese
June, 1997
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Information for a compilation such as this comes from many different sources. I make no
apology for the quality of the pictures. Many of them were scanned from images taken from
microfilm records of old newspapers. Many more were scanned from district conference
program booklets. Each step in the process seems to degrade the quality --- and my amateur
efforts at editing the scanned images did not always result in improvements. The facts relating to
each PDG and the annual district conferences are included herein on a "best efforts" basis. My
grateful thanks goes to PDG "Breck" Breckenfelder for his proofreading skills (just when I
thought I was finished - he came up with about thirty changes). Undoubtedly there are still
errors ---- for which I beg your understanding and forgiveness.
I am also grateful for information provided by the following individuals -- again I
apologize if I have failed to list your name:
Algona
Ames
Bettendorf
Boone
Burlington
Cedar Rapids
Council Bluffs
Davenport
Des Moines
Fairfield
Grinnell
Hampton
Iowa City
Leon
Marshalltown
Mason City
Mt. Pleasant
Ottumwa
Parkersburg
Pella
Sioux Falls
Waterloo
West Des Moines
Kirk M. Hayes, Judy Thoreson - Granddaughter of PDG Al Falkenhainer
Don Goering, Rupert Kenyon
Chuck Mooney
PDG Paul Hellwege
Milt Paule, Ed Whitham
Larry Christy
Barb Malick
Henrietta Cahill
Cecil Bolsinger, Gerry Schneph, PDG Jim Vickery, Kay Wright
Fred M. Flinspach, Tom Louden
Liz Durham
Alan W. Selene
PDG Paul & Mary McNutt
Charles Elson
Reese L. Gibbs
LaVonne Willford
Connie Taylor
Lowell Langland
Becky Thorne
Calvin L. Joosten
Milt Husby
Bill Close
PDG Conley J. Biddle
Many thanks also to Margaret Omori, former Service Supervisor at Rotary International
and to the staff at the State of Iowa Historical Library.
ROTARY'S EARLY ORGANIZATION
Rotary was founded in 1905 by Paul P. Harris. In August, 1910, when there were 16
clubs, the National Association of Rotary Clubs was organized. Paul Harris was elected as the
first president for 1910-11, and elected again as president for 1911-12. The name was changed in
1912 to the International Association of Rotary Clubs and Paul Harris was elected "President
Emeritus". (In 1922, the name was shortened to Rotary International.)
Iowa's involvement with Rotary began in 1911 with Club Charter #27 granted to the
Rotary Club of Des Moines. (See notes on Mack Olsen 1913-14)
Beginning with the year 1912, the structure of Rotary in the United States was divided
into five area divisions. Iowa, at that time, was located in the "Central Division". Each division
was under the supervision of a vice-president. The Rotarian vice-presidents serving the Central
Division were as follows:
1912-13 Russell Greiner
1913-14 Mack Olsen
1914-15 William Biggers
Kansas City, MO
Des Moines, IA
Detroit, Mich.
RI President 1913-14
DISTRICT GOVERNORS AND DISTRICT CONFERENCES
By 1915, Rotary had grown to the extent that a system of District Governors was
initiated. Iowa was part of District 10 which included the states of Iowa, North Dakota, South
Dakota and Nebraska.
GOVERNOR
DISTRICT 10
1915 John Knutson (Sioux City)
1916 Orville Fee (Lincoln, NE)
1917 Amos A. Ayers (Sioux Falls)
CONFERENCE HELD AT
Waterloo
Sioux City
Cedar Rapids
District 16 included the states of Iowa, South Dakota and Nebraska.
DISTRICT 16
1918 Fred L. Northey (Waterloo)
1919 Charles Strader (Lincoln, NE)
1920 William Coppock (Council Bluffs)
1921 Luther Brewer (Cedar Rapids)
Omaha
Des Moines
Dubuque
Sioux Falls
RI 2nd Vice-Pres. 1921-22
DISTRICT GOVERNORS AND DISTRICT CONFERENCES, Cont'd.
One early district conference program book lists 1922-23 Governor Paul Rankin under
District 16, however, his official conference report is as District 11 and contains a resolution
regarding the breaking up of the "Old Eleventh" and formation of the "new" District 11. The
number of clubs dropped from 76 in the "old" to 46 in the "new" under 1923-24 Governor Carl
Weeks. The territory of the "new" District 11 was approximately the eastern two-thirds of Iowa.
This territory remained unchanged until the re-districting formed District 193 in 1949.
GOVERNOR
CONFERENCE HELD AT
DISTRICT 11
1922 Paul Rankin (Dubuque)
1923 Carl Weeks (Des Moines)
1924 Charles Boardman (Marshalltown)
1925 Al Falkenhainer (Algona)
1926 Bruce F. Gates (Waterloo)
1927 Pearl K. McKee (Indianola)
1928 Clyde L. Hulsizer (Des Moines)
1929 Clarence Knutson (Clear Lake)
1930 Thomas W. Purcell (Hampton)
1931 Roy Louden (Fairfield)
1932 Charles Rhinehart (Dallas Center)
1933 Gerald W. Hunt (Guttenberg)
1934 William P. Bair (Des Moines)
1935 Willis C. Edson (Storm Lake)
1936 Albert C. Fuller (Cedar Falls)
Davenport
Waterloo
Fort Dodge
Des Moines
Mason City
Iowa City
Cedar Rapids
Marshalltown
Burlington
Davenport
Des Moines
Dubuque
Ottumwa
Fort Dodge
Cedar Rapids
DISTRICT 132
1937 William M. Brandon (Davenport)
1938 P. K. Wright (Iowa Falls)
1939 G. B. Price (Leon)
1940 Lester A. Royal (West Liberty)
1941 Charles T. Cownie (Des Moines)
1942 T. E. Davidson (Mason City)
1943 Lou G. Chrysler (Grinnell)
1944 H. O. Bernbrock (Waterloo)
1945 Dan J. P. Ryan (Parkersburg)
1946 Alvin R. Edgar (Ames)
1947 Dallas M. Harrison (Hampton)
Waterloo
Des Moines
Davenport
Mason City
Des Moines
Cedar Rapids
Des Moines
None -- because of the war
Burlington
Waterloo
Des Moines
DISTRICT 133
1948 Edward D. Walker (Burlington)
Ottumwa
RI Director 1929-30
DISTRICT GOVERNORS AND DISTRICT CONFERENCES, Cont'd.
The boundaries of District 193 were established as of 1 July 49, and have remained the same
through district number changes to D-600 and D-6000.
GOVERNOR
DISTRICT 193
1949 G. Floid Hatcher (Grinnell)
1950 Thomas G. Fultz (Pella)
1951 Oliver H. Bimson (Indianola)
1952 Clarence R. Off (N. English)
1953 Allin W. Dakin (Iowa City)
1954 Paul E. Hellwege (Boone)
1955 Nathan W. Keith (Newton)
1956 Wallace E. Barron (Ames)
DISTRICT 600
1957 Lester R. Glover (Ottumwa)
1958 Kirby Webster (Marshalltown)
1959 W. Ralph Taylor (Mt. Pleasant)
1960 Fred W. Johnson (Grinnell)
1961 Harold O. Hegland (Ames)
1962 Richard N. Hoerner (Keokuk)
1963 Watters Scott (Oskaloosa)
1964 R. W. (Bunny) Harper (Ottumwa)
1965 M. Robert Everetts (Washington)
Resigned July 31, 1965
1965 George H. Rigler (Iowa City)
Appointed
1966 John D. Coolidge (Bettendorf)
1967 Ralph E. Kirk (Boone)
1968 Alson E. Braley (Iowa City)
1969 J. Wayne Douglass (Oskaloosa)
1970 Fred Morain (Jefferson)
1971 Logan Reif (Kalona)
1972 G. Keith Hawk (Knoxville)
1973 Henry B. Hook (Davenport)
1974 R. Lynn Johnson (Chariton)
1975 Albert M. Efner (Ottumwa)
1976 Ralph E. Patterson, Jr. (Ames)
1977 Eugene R. Melson (Jefferson)
1978 Conley J. Biddle (West Des Moines)
1979 David L. McPherren (Rose Hill)
1980 Lloyd A. Knowler (Iowa City)
CONFERENCE HELD AT
Davenport
Des Moines
Ames
Burlington
Carroll
Ottumwa
Davenport
Des Moines
Boone
Iowa City
Mt. Pleasant
Oskaloosa
Ames
Keokuk
Oskaloosa
Ottumwa
Marshalltown
Ames
Boone
Iowa City
Oskaloosa
Lake Okoboji
Iowa City
Des Moines
Bettendorf
Des Moines
Ottumwa
Ames
Des Moines
Des Moines
Oskaloosa
Iowa City
RI Dir. '55; RI 3rd VP '56
DISTRICT GOVERNORS AND DISTRICT CONFERENCES, Cont'd.
GOVERNOR
CONFERENCE HELD AT
1981 Donald A. Koch (Indianola)
1982 Donald R. Kahn (Burlington)
1983 Waldo W. Wegner (Ames)
1984 Charles H. Gabus (NW Des Moines)
1985 Paul E. McNutt (Iowa City)
1986 C. Kenneth Crist (Chariton)
1987 Doyle W. McCully (Bettendorf)
1988 Cecil J. Porter (Marshalltown)
1989 Henry Hartz III (Bettendorf)
1990 E. H. Breckenfelder (Muscatine)
Des Moines
Burlington
Ames
Des Moines
Iowa City
Des Moines
Davenport
Marshalltown
Bettendorf
Muscatine
District 6000
1991 Everett L. Laning (Indianola)
1992 John L. Dasher (Ames Noon)
1993 William J. Cameron (Keokuk)
1994 Bill M. Reese (West Des Moines)
1995 Ken Noble (West Liberty)
1996 James A. Vickery (Des Moines)
Des Moines
Ames
Keokuk
Des Moines
Coralville
Des Moines
1910-11
1911-12
RI President:
Club:
Paul P. Harris
Chicago
Paul P. Harris (1868-1947), a lawyer, was the founder of
Rotary, the world's first and most international service club. Rotary
is an organization of business and professional men and women
united worldwide who provide humanitarian service, promote high
ethical standards in all vocations and help build good will and peace
in the world. Paul Harris was born in Racine, Wisconsin, U.S.A.
on 19 April 1868. The second of six children, his parents were
Paul P. Harris
George N. Harris and Cornelia Bryan Harris. Married to
Jean Thomsen Harris (1881-1963), he had no children. He received the Bachelor of Physical
Culture and LL.D. degrees from the University of Vermont and the LL.B. degree from the
University of Iowa. He received an honorary Ph.D. in 1933 from the University of Vermont.
Paul's connection to Iowa began in 1889 when he went to Des Moines to read law in the
office of St. John, Stevenson & Whisenand, preparatory to entering the law department of the
State University of Iowa in Iowa City. He graduated from the law department in June, 1891.
On 23 February 1905, Paul Harris formed the first club in Chicago with three law clients:
Silvester Schiele, a coal merchant; Gustavus Loehr, a mining engineer; and Hiram Shorey, a
merchant tailor. They were the nucleus around which formed the thousands of Rotary clubs
throughout the world. Paul Harris named the new club "Rotary" because the members met in
rotation in their various places of business. Club membership grew rapidly.
The first printed roster of the Rotary Club of Chicago had 19 names. But, at the end of
1905 there were 30 members. Paul Harris later wrote of these first members: "There were no
drones in the 1905 group. Everyone was interested and busy. Practically every member
contributed one or more serviceable ideas."
The second Rotary club was founded in San Francisco in 1908. In August, 1910, when
there were 16 clubs, the National Association of Rotary Clubs was organized. When clubs were
formed in Canada and Great Britain, the name was changed in 1912 to the International
Association of Rotary Clubs. In 1922, the name was shortened to Rotary International.
International Convention:
International Convention:
1910
1911
Chicago, IL, USA
Portland, OR, USA
Attendance: 60
Attendance: 149
The first Rotary convention was held in the Congress Hotel of Chicago in August, 1910.
Paul Harris was elected as its first president (in 1912 he was elected "President Emeritus")
1910-11; 1911-12 Continued
Note: The following time-line of significant events in Rotary's history is an excerpt from a
Rotary publication titled Ninety years of Rotary: A Look Back:
1905
1908
1910
1911
1912
1917
1930
1933
1937
1945
1947
1950
1962
1965
1968
1974
1979
1985
1989
1990
1994
First Rotary Club established in Chicago, Illinois, USA
Second club formed in San Francisco, California, USA
First Rotary Convention held in Chicago
First issue of The Rotarian magazine published in January, 1911
First club outside the U.S. chartered in Winnipeg, Canada; clubs also formed overseas
in the U.K.
Endowment fund, forerunner of The Rotary Foundation, established
First grant from The Rotary Foundation awarded to the International Society for
Crippled Children for US$500
Four-Way Test created by Chicago Rotarian Herbert J. Taylor
Through 1945 --- Many Rotary clubs forced to disband during World War II
49 Rotarians help draft U.N. Charter in San Francisco
Rotary founder Paul Harris dies; first 18 Rotary Foundation scholarships granted
"Service Above Self" and "He Profits Most Who Serves Best" elected official Rotary
mottoes
First Interact club formed in Melbourne, Florida, USA
Rotary Foundation launches Matching Grants and Group Study Exchange programs
First Rotaract club formed in Charlotte, North Carolina, USA
Youth Exchange becomes an official Rotary program (clubs have sponsored informal
exchanges since 1929)
Health, Hunger and Humanity program created by the Rotary Foundation
Rotary announces PolioPlus program
Council on Legislation permits clubs to admit women
Rotary Club of Moscow chartered -- first ever service club in former Soviet Union
Western Hemisphere declared polio-free
By the end of its first decade, Rotary had grown so large (nearly 200 clubs and more than 20,000 members)
that it needed to be organized into districts. During its second decade, Rotary clubs were begun across the globe in
South and central America, India, Cuba, Europe, The Philippines, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa.
As Rotary extended its reach, so grew its spirit of service. During World War I, Rotary discovered new
areas of service -- at home in war relief and peace fund drives as well as in active service and emergency efforts
overseas. After World War II, many clubs that had been disbanded during the war re-established themselves and reinitiated service projects. Clubs in Switzerland and elsewhere organized relief efforts for refugees and prisoners of
war. As testament to Rotary's dedication to peace, 49 Rotarians helped draft the United Nations Charter in San
Francisco in 1945. And inspiration for UNESCO (the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural
Organization) came from a Rotary-sponsored conference of educators in London, who met to discuss the
organization of a vast post-war educational and cultural exchange program.
The principal source of Rotary's current activities to provide humanitarian assistance, enhance education,
and promote international understanding and peace is The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International. Relying on
voluntary contributions, it was established in 1917 as an endowment fund and became The Rotary Foundation in
1928. It grew modestly until 1947 when it received a significant number of gifts in memory of Paul Harris upon
1910-11; 1911-12 Continued
his death in 1947.
The first program initiated by the Rotary Foundation was Graduate Fellowships (today called
Ambassadorial Scholarships) which sent its first 18 students abroad to 11 countries in 1947. Today, more than 1,100
students are sponsored abroad every year through The Rotary Foundation's Ambassadorial Scholarship Program.
Other humanitarian and cultural exchange programs such as Matching Grants, Group Study Exchange, Health,
Hunger and Humanity Grants, and Grants for Rotary Volunteers are today funded by The Rotary Foundation.
Rotary's most ambitious undertaking, announced in 1985, is the PolioPlus program, with a goal of
eradicating polio. The world's Rotary clubs raised an unprecedented US $242 million for child immunization in
developing countries -- more than doubling their campaign goal. Rotarians have been the catalyst for the multitude
of volunteers needed to carry out this massive immunization campaign. In September, 1994 an important milestone
in the battle against polio was achieved when the Western Hemisphere was declared officially polio-free.
Women were officially admitted into Rotary clubs in 1989, when the Council on Legislation, Rotary's
legislative body, voted to eliminate the requirement that club membership be limited to males. Today there are some
1.2 million professional men and women belonging to more than 27,000 clubs worldwide.
Currently, Rotary International is encouraging clubs to focus service activities in the areas of hunger,
environmental concerns, illiteracy, drug abuse prevention, childhood immunization, and helping youth and the
elderly. They are motivated by the desire to place "Service Above Self" and, in the words of Paul Harris, to
"universally apply tolerance and friendliness" in the pursuit of international goodwill and peace.
1912-13
RI Vice-President:
Club:
Russell F. Greiner
Kansas City
RI President:
International Convention:
Glenn C. Mead, Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania, USA
1912 Duluth, MN, USA
Russell F. Greiner was a charter member (1910) of the
Kansas City, Missouri, Rotary Club. He was the president of GreinerFifield Lithographing Co. He served as a member of the
RI Committee on Local Public Affairs, 1911-12; Vice-President,
Russell F. Greiner
1912-13; Chairman of the General Transportation Committee, 1912-13;
RI President, 1913-14; Chairman Flag Committee, 1914-15; numerous other RI committees and
as a Rotary Foundation Trustee from 1938 to 1943. He was also an author and provided several
articles for the Rotarian Magazine. He remained active in Rotary affairs right up to the time of
his death on June 4, 1961.
The following is an excerpt from a May, 1985, article in The Rotarian, by Ray Morgan,
entitled "Rotary in Kansas City":
When Kansas Citian Russell Greiner was elected one of four vice-presidents of Rotary
International in 1912, he was assigned, as he put it, "a little patch of ground including Ohio on
the east, Missouri on the west, and reaching from Canada to Mexico -- and was told to get out
into it and organize clubs in cities of 100,000 or more."
Russ Greiner did just that, organizing more Rotary clubs than any other vice-president -and earning the presidency in 1913. "It was like a present-day district governor's assignment," he
later recalled of his club extension work. "I had phenomenal luck at it."
It was also Russ Greiner who influenced Chesley Perry to become the first full-time
general secretary of R.I. And largely through his efforts Kansas City came to host the R.I.
convention in 1918.
Also from The Rotarian, February, 1980:
On January 14, 1915, the first official Rotary flag was unfurled atop the Hotel Baltimore, in Kansas City,
Missouri, USA. The flag had been adopted in November of the previous year from a design committee of which
Russell F. Greiner, of Kansas City, was the chairman. The new flag was predominantly white with the Rotary wheel,
in colors of blue and gold, occupying the central portion.
A February, 1930, article in The Rotarian entitled "What Sixteen Past Presidents Say -- at the
turn of a quarter century of Rotary History", contains a quote by Russ Greiner as follows:
A Prophesy Fulfilled
Rotary is destined to girdle the world in banded brotherhood. It is ours to remove the dollar mark from the
world's eyes and hold up to its new vision the glorified emblem of Rotary.
--Closing paragraph of my address as president at Houston, Texas, 1914. Three
countries and 123 clubs were represented.
1912-13 Continued
Politics always played an important part of early elections within Rotary. The April, 1934, issue
of The Rotarian contains an article written by Russ Greiner entitled "Confessions of a Rotary
Politician." The entire text of the article is included here in order to show the flavor of the times,
and because it also mentions an Iowan (William Coppock - RI 2nd Vice President, 1921-22):
Echoes -- one day last week the clamor of battles of long ago echoed across my desk in the form of a letter
from an old Rotary friend.
"What has happened to politics in Rotary?" he wanted to know. "And what has happened to you, Russ? We
hear of duties and services, deeds, accomplishments, agendas and conspectus, plenary sessions and enactments; but
where is the old time wire pulling? Where is the skillful manipulation; the pointings with alarm and visionings with
pride; the penny-dreadful personalities that used to lead up to the final knock-downs and dragouts at the annual
elections?
"For a time, Russ, I used to go to conventions serenely certain that I would see you in action. But,
apparently, you have faded out and are now just a stodgy business man talking platitudes about ethics and world
fellowship-----." The letter is signed "Sam."
Ho-hum. What a frank relationship is friendship. And it so happens that this letter was from one of the
cleverest politicians Rotary ever developed--the only man who was ever elected a director without being at the
convention.
Let me say this to my old friend, "Sam, old quidnunc, you should know that you are talking like the elderly
persons who say the winters are warmer than they used to be. Some winters are warm and others are cold, in Rotary
and elsewhere.
"You and I are partners in crime in opposing the ancient hokum of 'let the office seek the man.' We know
the office never seeks the man unless a lot of people get together to elect him; and, after all, that is all there is to
politics. Let's be honest about it. Yes, Sam, we are both growing old but who is ever too old for a good back-stage
fight at a Rotary convention? We may yet see more hard winters."
In the meantime, I am taking advantage of the excuse to turn loose a few of the echoes from the explosions
behind the stage of conventions--a very few and, because of lack of space, much too briefly. In twenty-three years in
Rotary, I have missed only four conventions and have actively participated in thirteen contested campaigns--enough
intrigue to fill a thick book.
Let's start with my vivid impressions of that Buffalo convention of 1913, the year I was elected President.
the delegates crowded into a hall at East Aurora, guests of Elbert Hubbard, gazing at the picturesque figure of a man
speaking from the raised platform. In the full glory of stage lighting effects and background stood Elbert Hubbard.
With the light glistening on his great mane of hair, be looked like a bronze statue. And from his lips came the name
of "Russ" Greiner.
No, it was no surprise to me. I knew my friends, who were also friends of Hubbard's had arranged to have
him eulogize me. But I didn't realize a man who had never seen me could speak with such eloquence of my virtues.
Yes, it was effective--and it was politics.
My friends left nothing to chance. Lest the delegates forget my name, they had me paged day and night in
every hotel housing delegates. No man was ever entirely out of ear shot of the bell boys' fog-horn voices, "Paging
Mr. Greiner."
And then the climax. The news of the convention that year was the British delegation, the first to attend and
International Rotary convention. Outstanding among the British was that dominating personality, Charley Dewey,
president of a London Insurance Company. We called him "Admiral" Dewey. Who should rise in the convention to
nominate me but Dewey. He was greeted with cheers before he said a word. And then he launched out on a
marvelous speech. Naturally, we had cultivated his friendship from the first day we arrived in Buffalo.
San Francisco -- 1915. I mention that convention because it was there I learned two things. The first was
the fact that the old political saying about letting the office seek the man can be used to good political purpose. And
the other was the danger of impromptu speeches.
We arrived in San Francisco all on fire to put over our candidate, Arch Klumph, of Cleveland. We had
1912-13 Continued
traded favors and made friends for Klumph for weeks preceding the convention. But the minute I walked into his
hotel room, I realized the jig was up. The boys on the other side had convinced him it wasn't ethical to seek the
office and he refused to run. It took us a year to revise his code of ethics.
Ernest Skeel, of Seattle, an outstanding man who had written Rotary's platform of principles, finally
permitted us to enter his name. At a great banquet in the Palace Hotel with two thousand people at the tables, Skeel's
name was nominated in a speech that was a classic.
Then up came Skeel, looking around modestly and prepared to speak extemporaneously. With his modesty,
he gave out the impression he was refusing the nomination and we had to withdraw his name. We went through with
Allen Albert, who was elected.
We were always learning something new. The Salt Lake City convention in 1919 was full of dynamite,
although most of the delegates went serenely to the vote thinking Bert Adams, of Atlanta, had been uncontested
from the start.
We learned better the day of the opening session, when the best place on the program was given to John
Dyer, of Indiana, an impressive looking fellow with a flow of oratory. His address was a hit and as we left the
session, we found at every door men passing out printed copies of Dyer's speech. He was a formidable candidate.
There was a hurried conference with Dyer's backers. "You can't win," we told them. "Take the vice-presidency."
And they did accept the vice-presidency without ever knowing how scared we were. In that case, I didn't
consider bluffing dishonest.
That was the fore-runner of the great fight at Atlantic City in 1920, the year our candidate, Frank Harris,
was ill in bed at his hotel. Harris was from Illinois, an eminently qualified man who had been offered a cabinet
position by President Theodore Roosevelt. Because of his illness, I advised him to withdraw.
The incident is one of the regrets of my life. Frank refused to withdraw. Until he died a few months later,
he thought I had "double-crossed" him. Many times I have left conventions with my friends denouncing me, but in
other cases they have lived to understand the situation.
For several years before the Los Angeles convention in 1922, the Kansas City club had been grooming my
old friend, Ray Havens. We had seen him elected sergeant-at-arms and vice-president, by men whose support would
elect him president.
In the Union Station at Kansas City that year, we met a special train of delegates on their way to the
convention. Our wide-open grins were all set for their cheers; but, we were met by grim silence.
"We can't promise our support now," said a friend and a leader from the south. "See us in Los Angeles."
It was a problem of sitting tight. We knew they were in with us too deep to crawl out, and at the end they
gave their vote to Ray.
I well remember that convention for its proof that you can never count a vote until it's voted. A close friend
of mine said we were certain of the vote of the whole British delegation. "Just forget them, Russ," he said. "It's in the
bag."
But the Britishers found a countryman in Coppock, of Iowa. Naturally, as long as they were not actually
pledged to us, the British vote went to Coppock.
For plain nerve-wrecking elections, I nominate the Chicago convention of 1930. It started gloriously with
our candidate, Almon E. Roth, of Palo Alto, Calif., a strong favorite. Highly educated, young, good-looking, and
popular, he was born to be a candidate. But just as we had things under way in Chicago, he was called home due to
an accident to his son.
There we were, chasing through Chicago hotels in search of delegates while our candidate was two
thousand miles away, and no certainty that he would return in time for the vote. It was enough to give a politician
nervous indigestion.
And then came that wonderful telegram---"On my way back to Chicago," signed "Al." In the largest ballot
ever cast at a Rotary convention, 3335, Roth was an easy victor.
And so it has gone from year to year, with plenty of trouble and plenty of gratifications. I am happy in the
thought that I have never been on a loser. If I have come out of my experiences with a maxim, it is this---"No man
ever went anywhere in Rotary politics unless he was honest, both with his own crowd and his opponents." Whenever
I have been against a man he has known it from the start.
1912-13 Continued
Greiner's views on equal pay and women in the work force were expressed in a short item in the
September, 1943, issue of The Rotarian:
After the First World War, many married women were inclined to continue in their jobs. It caused a real
problem, for most employers felt it an obligation to their communities and to their businesses to replace them with
men or with single women. We must take pains now to avoid a repetition of that problem--for this time, with the
vastly greater numbers involved, it would be far more serious.
We must face it: If the boys returning from service are to be given jobs, married women must be released
and returned to their duties as housewives and mothers. I am opposed to the peacetime employment of women with
husbands on pay rolls--who just want money for nonessentials.
As for the situation in our company, we have no women employees who do a man's work, but if we did, we
would pay equal wages for equal work. In stenographic and clerical work women can run circles around men.
Perhaps the best view of Russell Greiner's personality comes from an article he wrote for the
October, 1960, issue of The Rotarian:
AT THE RIPE old age of 92 I am enjoying life
very much. Blessed with good health, work to do, and a
world of friends, I look ahead to each new day with real
anticipation.
Some 20 years ago I hit upon a little plan that
has helped me avoid much of the unhappiness that
accompanies a fault-finding old age. It makes friends for
me, puts a smile on my face and a spring in my faltering
step. That plan is simply this:
I have made it a "must" every day to write a
letter, to make a telephone call, or to pass along some
words of cheerful tone to someone who has contributed
something worth while to right living. I have found it a
most helpful means of enriching human relationship.
We all appreciate and enjoy commendation,
congratulations, condolence, compliments, words of
cheer, approval, recognition, appreciation, a prayer, a thank-you, and even constructive criticism. This simple act
sweetens and enriches the whole existence of the sender and receiver. Love is not always expressed in words alone.
It may also be passed along through actions and attitudes. A cheerful smile, a cordial hand clasp, a helping hand
demonstrate the love God has implanted in one's soul.
Mark Twain once said, "I can live two months on a compliment."
1913-14
RI Vice-President:
Club:
Mack J. Olsen
Des Moines
Mack J. Olsen, a realtor, was the first President of the
Rotary Club of Des Moines (1911-12). This club, chartered on
August 1, 1911 (Club #27), is the first Rotary Club in Iowa, the
Mack J. Olsen
fourth oldest Rotary Club west of the Mississippi.
(From History of Des Moines & Polk County)
Mack Olsen, one of the leading and influential citizens of Des Moines, is well known as a successful realestate dealer of the city. Born in Monroe, Wisconsin on September, 26, 1873. Mack obtained his early education in
the schools of Monroe and Stoughton, Wisconsin, and subsequently was appointed to the United States Naval
Academy at Annapolis, Maryland, as a member of the class of 1895. He attended the institution for four years but
did not graduate, as a career in the navy seemed to hold out few prospects of advancement. Tendering his
resignation, he came west and accepted a position as traveling salesman with a Milwaukee firm selling stoves and
sheet metal. He was afterward made sales manager of the Agar Packing Company, with headquarters at St. Louis,
remaining in the service of that concern from 1900 until 1904. In that year he came to Des Moines and embarked in
the real-estate business, having since dealt extensively in Des Moines city property, of which he owns considerable.
He helped organize and has been the president of the Des Moines Real Estate Exchange. Aside from his interests as
a real-estate dealer he owns stock in a number of local insurance companies. Married Anna Miller November, 2,
1898 at Grinnell, Ia.
In the local ranks of the republican party Mr. Olsen is a prominent factor, being now president of the Iowa
State Republican League. An honor of which he feels justly proud is his appointment by President Taft as a member
of the board of visitors to the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis for the year 1911. This board is appointed
by the president to visit the academy, make a complete examination of everything in connection therewith and report
to the president, secretary of the navy and congress. He was a member of the committee of twenty-five that
originated and put in force the Des Moines plan of city government and is also one of the committee of twenty-five
appointed to settle the street car controversy. He is the vice president of the Taft Republican Club, an organization
composed of fifteen hundred young republicans. At the primaries of 1910 he was a mayoralty candidate, while for
two terms he was a director of the Commercial Club. He originated and installed the electrolier system of street
lighting, which is conceded to be the finest system of street lighting in the United States, Des Moines having the
reputation of being the best lighted city in the country. He was the organizer and for two years the president of the
Norwegian Club of Des Moines. The Grant Club also numbers him among it valued members and he is a life
member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and a member of the Knights of Pythias. In religious faith
he is a Universalist, while his wife belongs to the Episcopal church. He is a man of undoubted integrity in business,
of progressive spirit and marked enterprise, whose popularity and prosperity have been won through his many good
qualities and his well directed efforts.
RI President:
International Convention:
Russell F. Greiner, Kansas City, MO, USA
1913 Buffalo, NY, USA
Note: Mack Olsen was elected a Director of RI for the year 1912-13, and served as one of eight
RI Vice-Presidents in 1913-14.
1913-14 Continued
Excerpts from the Des Moines Club directory (1995):
In mid-March, 1911, Dan Bonus, a Des Moines businessman, while in Chicago, was a guest at a new
businessmen's club luncheon. He was favorably impressed with the friendly atmosphere shared by the members -which was unusual in the early 1900's. When he returned he invited four of his friends, Mac Olsen (Realtor), Albert
Rainsburg (Register & Tribune), Walter St. John* (Equitable Insurance), and Harley Stipp (lawyer) to lunch with
him at the Grant Club (then located on the North side of High Street between Sixth and Seventh Streets). Dan
related his experiences and each of the men recognized the potential of such a club. They agreed to meet the next
week with each man inviting a guest from a different business.
The five became ten, the ten grew to 20 and continued to grow until on Monday, May 1, 1911, 40
businessmen met, elected officers and directors, and the Rotary Club of Des Moines became a reality. Charter #27
was presented by Paul Harris on August 1, 1911.
* Walter St. John's father was a member of the law firm St. John, Stevenson & Whisenand located at 201
Fifth Street, where Paul Harris, the founder of Rotary, read law for a year and a half before enrolling at the
University of Iowa College of Law in September, 1890 and graduated in June, 1891.
1914-15
RI Vice-President:
Club:
William Biggers
Detroit
RI President:
International Convention:
Frank L. Mulholland, Toledo, Ohio
1914 Houston, TX, USA
Note: The issue as to proper community size to support a Rotary club was of concern in 191415. Past RI Director F. Wayne Graham had the following comments in The Rotarian, February,
1985, regarding the formation of the club in his home town:
All my years of membership in Rotary have been as a member of the Rotary Club of Morris, Illinois, USA,
Charter #171, issued in 1915. Prior to 1914, the Board had ruled that extension of the Rotary organization should not
be into communities of less than 10,000 population. Then, in 1914, Ottawa, Illinois, was granted a charter, though at
the time it was only about 9,000. Growth barrier No. 1 was thus removed. ...with the aid and support of both Ottawa
and Joliet, Illinois, steps were taken to obtain a charter for Morris, at that time only 4,900. Then, all the members of
the Board of Directors of the International Association of Rotary were from larger cities, and objections were put
forth that a small group of men (about 45) could not raise the necessary funds to carry on a proper Rotary club. Also,
granting a charter to Morris would again lower the population limit, which had been in effect since 1910.
Numerous trips were made to Chicago for conferences---four or five potential Rotarians from Morris
meeting with Russell F. Greiner, then association president, a special committee from the Board, and General
Secretary Chesley R. Perry. The matter dragged on until Frank Mulholland became president... President Frank was
favorable to the idea and presented it at his first Board meeting... As was more or less the custom at that time, Paul
Harris "sat in" on the Board sessions. As always, the debate on extending to such a small town was the barrier. Paul
Harris asked to be heard on the matter. His statement: "I believe the real future to Rotary service lies in the smaller
communities of the world--places where neighbors meet and act in concern as established friends."
Shortly thereafter the Board adopted a Resolution to admit Morris, Illinois, but with the qualification that it
should be for a one-year term and notice of immediate withdrawal if the club's members did not function as a true
Rotary club.
1915-16
Governor:
Club:
John O. Knutson
Sioux City
Notes from The Story of Iowa (Lewis Historical Publishing
Company):
A prominent business man of Sioux City, John Ole Knutson has been in
the food brokerage business since 1910. He organized the John O. Knutson
Company in 1915, and has since added associate offices in Des Moines, In
Omaha, Nebraska, and in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. During the past thirty-five
or forty years he has played an outstanding role in civic enterprise in Sioux City
and has been quick to lend his support to all good causes. Mr. Knutson is a
Mason and Odd Fellow and a Rotarian, and has been quite active in fraternal
matters.
John O. Knutson was born February 18, 1879 in Lyle, Mower County,
Minnesota, the son of Knut and Johanna Knutson. He attended the local public
schools and graduated in 1897 from the Clear Lake, Iowa, High School, after which
John O. Knutson
he took a business course at the Iowa Business College, Des Moines, finishing his
course in 1898. From 1898 to 1908, Mr. Knutson was plant manager for the Puck Soap Company of Des Moines.
In 1908 he started in business as a merchandise broker in Omaha, Nebraska, and remained there for two years before
coming to Sioux City in 1910 to start a food brokerage business. In 1915 Mr. Knutson organized the John O.
Knutson Company, a partnership, and since that date he has served as president and general manager. The business
has its headquarters in Sioux City. The Sioux Falls, South Dakota, branch was established in 1936, under the main
office name, while the Omaha, Nebraska, associate office operates under the name of the Knutson Brokerage
Company, and the Des Moines associate office is the Knutson-Newburgh Company. Mr. Knutson is a past director
and past vice president of the National Food Brokers Association.
Mr. Knutson was one of the organizers of the Sioux City Associated Charities in 1912. This later became
the Organized Welfare Bureau, the Family Welfare Bureau, and then Family Service Inc. Mr. Knutson has served
four terms as president of this organization and has served continuously since its founding on its board of Directors.
He is an organizer and past director of the Sioux City Community Chest, and an organizer in 1912, and a local
council member of the Boy Scouts of America. Since 1921 he has been a trustee and secretary of the Wall Street
Mission, and he is also active in the work of the Sioux City Community Center, the Sioux City Library, the Day
Nursery, the Church of All Nations, the Goodwill Industries, and a summer camp at Crystal Lake. He is a charter
member of the Sioux City Rotary Club, which he helped organize in 1912, and he served as its president in 1917.
He served as district governor for Iowa, Nebraska and South Dakota in 1915-16, and as an organizer established
Rotary clubs in Fort Dodge, Mason City, Marshalltown, Ottumwa, Iowa City and Dubuque in Iowa, and Sioux Falls
and Aberdeen in South Dakota. In 1914 as secretary and a member of a delegation en route to a Rotary International
Convention, he was one of the group that composed the famous Rotary Code of Ethics on a train between Oklahoma
City and Houston. He is also a charter member of Founders Club No. 1, Sioux City, of High-Twelve International.
Fraternally, Mr. Knutson is affiliated with the Independent order of Odd Fellows, in which he has attained the rank
of Patriarch Militant, being captain in 1900, and with the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, being a Knight
Templar and holder of the Thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite, and member of the Ancient Arabic Order of
Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He is a charter member of the Abu Bekr Shrine Chanters, a singing group identified
with the Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, and became its first secretary; he wrote in 1921 the
version of the Iowa "Corn Song," which was dedicated to and used by the Chanters in their public appearances. Mr.
Knutson is also a member of the Sioux City Chamber of Commerce, the Izaak Walton League, and the Sioux City
Boat Club. He is a leading member and elder of the First Christian Church. The Raw Material National Council,
farm economics and social work are his hobbies, while his recreation is golf.
1915-16 Continued
On November 27, 1901, at Des Moines, John O. Knutson was married to Mary Winifred Ellis, daughter of
Joseph T. and Dora Isabel (Payton) Ellis.
RI President:
International Convention:
Allen D. Albert, Minneapolis, MN, USA
1915 San Francisco, CA, USA
District Conference:
Waterloo
January 23-24, 1916
Russell-Lamson Hotel
Excerpts from the conference report:
Every one of the fourteen Rotary Clubs of the 10th District was represented at the First Annual Conference.
Over one hundred visiting Rotarians besides all the Waterloo Rotarians registered at the Russell-Lamson Hotel.
Davenport took the honors for the largest visiting delegation, 21 Rotarians, headed by President-Elect "Bill" Korn,
and the inimitable "Ozzie" Becker arriving in a special car. The "baby" club, Dubuque, was represented by three
husky youngsters who reveled in the liberal supply of Rotary milk that was on tap.
When the Waterloo Club invited the Conference to meet in Waterloo it was the expectation of the Club to
pay all expenses, but it was urged by others outside of Waterloo that this first Conference should establish a
precedent by being self-sustaining and that the expense should be covered by an enrollment fee. An estimate of
expenses and possible enrollments was made and the following report is given that all may see what was done with
the money and as a guide for future Conferences.
RECEIPTS
151 Registrations, men, at $3.00
44 Registrations, ladies, at $1.50
F. W. Powers, Treasurer of Waterloo Club
$ 453.00
66.00
32.77
$ 551.77
DISBURSEMENTS
Horton-Holden Hotel Company:
Luncheons
Dinners
Cigars
A. D. Albert, expense
J. O. Knutson, expense
Cards for Hotel Lobby
Stewart-Simmons Press, printing
Music
Rev. H. R. Best, expenses
Majestic Theatre, tickets for ladies
F. L. Northey, expense
Posters for Frolic
Miscellaneous
$ 106.50
261.25
12.50
26.40
24.25
$ 430.90
3.00
51.65
16.00
27.92
2.80
7.75
9.00
2.75
$ 551.77
Conference Chairman:
Plenary Session:
Fred Northey, President, Rotary Club of Waterloo
K. of P. Hall
1915-16 Continued
Notable Speakers:
(The complete text, or a summation, of each speech appears in the
Conference Report)
Rev. Henry A. Best, Rotarian, Sioux Falls, SD
Special church service Sunday evening. As reported in a local Waterloo
paper -"The address of Rev. Mr. Best was one of the most magnificent
ever heard in Waterloo. Eloquent, logical, masterful in his deductions,
forceful in his presentation of truths, he is a platform orator who grips his
audience by the very earnestness of his message and piles truth upon truth,
precept upon precept, until none there can be but who is convinced of the
righteousness of his cause."
Allen D. Albert, Rotary International President
(President Albert spoke briefly on various topics during the course of the
Conference. At the Rotary Banquet, he was introduced by Waterloo
President Fred Northey as follows: "Ladies and Fellow Rotarians: -- I take
great pleasure in introducing our esteemed President, Allen D. Albert."
President Albert began his address as follows: Mr. President, Beautiful
Ladies, and Fellow Rotarians: -- In the course of approximately ten weeks
of dinner going and chicken eating, for I have had chicken nearly every day,
I have been subjected to a great many introductions, but never before so
tersely, as in the one we have just heard from Fred Northey." He then
proceeded to tell about various introductions he had received.)
Entertainment:
Carl Weeks, Rotarian, Des Moines
"Extension of Rotary"
O. J. Fee, Rotarian, Lincoln, Nebraska
"Rotary and the Other Fellow -- a paper by Fred M.
Hunter of Lincoln"
Tom Kelly, Rotarian, Omaha, Nebraska
"Involuntary Past Rotarians"
La Rue's Rotary Orchestra
The Pythian Glee Club
1915-16 Continued
Excerpts from "...always on Thursday...", a story of the Rotary Club of Des Moines (1978), by
George F. Rutledge:
Although several Rotary conventions had been held up to 1915, there had been nothing definite developed
as to the destination of Rotary, or any answer provided to the question, "Where are we going?" The Board of
Directors of the International Association of Rotary Cubs in 1914 sent out an S.O.S. for ideas on which to build a
solid foundation for the future structure of Rotary so it could stand the test of the future.
It remained for the Rotary Club of Des Moines in that year, and the next, to outline
practically the operating principles of Rotary International as we know them today!
Bert Rainsburg was president and he appointed a committee of which Carl Weeks (PDG 1923-24) was
chairman, with Will Tone, Hal Ray, Hill M. Bell and Stanley Walker. They prepared a report on "Rotary
Philosophy." The report was unanimously adopted by this club and it was voted that it should be presented to the
Rotary Convention at San Francisco in 1915.
The proceedings of that convention will show there was full discussion on the report and it was accepted at
full value. Following the San Francisco convention, numerous clubs asked for sufficient copies of the report to
supply all their members and thousands of copies were furnished by this club to Rotarians in the United States and
Canada.
Since that report has had an overwhelming affect on nearly 850,000 Rotarians in nearly 17,700 clubs in 154
countries it is only fitting it be set out here, exactly as first presented in 1915.
"Rotary is a Democratic institution. We individuals make our Club what it is. With this in mind, we have
attempted a statement of our practices and workings, that will stand for our conception of the Spirit and Philosophy
of Rotary.
As Rotary Clubs are made up of men of divers tastes, callings and ideas, and as International Rotary is in a
nebulous state, it will readily be seen that Rotary has no definite Philosophy, the good reason that it is in process of
growth and development, with aims and ideals as varied and divergent almost as the number of members of its
affiliated Clubs.
The stated objects of Rotary International are to standardize Rotary principles and practices, to encourage
and promote the organization of Clubs, to study the work of existing Clubs, and promote the proper spirit of
Fraternalism among Rotarians.
We believe the Spirit of Rotary to be, so far as unfolded, a happy combination of enlightened unselfishness
and fellowship. Its basis is in business. A study of Rotary, as expressed by previous National Conventions,
indicates that the original intent was purely mercenary. As the Organization grew, more enlightened expressions
crept in, until now, a situation faces those who have thought about it, and we are led to ask whether International
Rotary seeks to make us a Business, a Religious, or a Fraternal Organization. Sometimes the doubt arises whether
or not the individual Clubs may become fuel providers for an oversized and rather unnecessary National furnace.
We believe Rotary is largely a local expression and that International Rotary should be a very loose and
inexpensive bond, binding the various Clubs together for information and acquaintance purposes only.
Primarily, we believe Rotary to be a large town proposition, with little reason for it in smaller places, where
the opportunities for acquaintance are more extensive. Small and select bodies are the type which have always
initiated and accomplished the revolutions of the world. We believe Rotary should be selective, but not exclusive.
It should be confined to business and professional men. One man, the most representative, called from each line.
Until the advent of Rotary, fellowship, the thing of entertaining a regard for another, and taking an interest
in his welfare, had, in a large or collective sense, bid fair to become a lost Art in Cities. We believe Rotary, through
no original intention of its founders, has developed into an Organization which makes for close acquaintance
amongst men in Cities. This is Rotary, and as we see it, this is the great thing in it. This accounts for the
spontaneity of its growth, and for its latent possibilities. If Rotary sticks to this, avoiding side issues, it will supply a
real need, and retain its virility.
1915-16, Continued
In the close meeting and fellowship of good men in Rotary, is accomplished all that many Organizations
with larger expressed purposes, pretend to. A Rotary Club is an Organization of business men, with more or less in
common, who meet for a visit at stated intervals. The opportunities these meetings afford for promoting close
acquaintance and fellowship, between man and man, and one business and another, is Rotary. If Rotary should
accomplish nothing more, it would prove itself well worth while. We even go further and say that if when Rotarians
meet, the program were limited to lunch, and the visit on the Rotary basis, Rotary would still be a solid success.
It is our belief that it is not the province of Rotary to infringe on the work and objects of other business and
social Organizations, but it should stand behind every community movement for good. We believe the first purpose
of Rotary is to bring about the better acquaintance and larger fellowship of representative business men. If, going
beyond, it accomplish more, that is to the honor and credit of Rotary.
In Rotary, the privilege of the salutation by first name, makes for quick and enduring acquaintance. Most
of us are reasonably busy; our Rotary associations bring us into frequent and agreeable contact with men we want to
know -- with men we should know. For this reason, we believe prospective members should be selected from those
actively engaged in business. Rotary should not be encumbered with dead wood, and when a man changes his
house, or line, we believe he should be automatically eliminated. If his house, or his new line are all they should be,
his return to the fold will be rapid. If you represent the best in your line, and your personality is on a par, it is not
our duty to give you business, or to entertain a regard for you, or take an active interest in your welfare, it is our
pleasure, and pleasure always and forever outweighs and overbalances duty.
We believe Rotary membership should stand for character, quality, service and that a man and his business
should possess a high standard of these three before his name is presented as a candidate for membership, with any
hope of his election. When Rotary has accepted a man, it should be equivalent to saying: 'We know this man, we
have tried him. He is true; his business stands four-square to the world. You may deal with him in confidence.
The reason we invite a man to become a member is because he is looked upon as one qualified to represent
his line, on the basis of our Club's idea of representation. A membership in this Club does not carry with it an
obligation of business. If the character of the man is right, the quality of his product or service right, he will enjoy
the trade of Rotarians and others, because of these qualities, and not because he is a Rotarian.
We believe a Rotarian is expected to attend the meetings of the Club, because the value of Rotary comes
from the fellowship through acquaintance with one another.
We believe the rule should be applied impartially, to automatically eliminate members who, without
satisfactory excuse, fail in attendance for three successive meetings. A Rotary Club that has the vision, will grow
under this rule.
A man in business, and especially a Rotarian, should be continuously educating himself for service, looking
for opportunities to be useful, quick to adopt new ideas which mean the betterment of his business, his City or his
State. Men are realizing that they have responsibilities to their fellow men, and one of the best places for the
expression of that responsibility is through the Rotary Club. A member should constantly keep before him, the fact
that he was chosen to represent his line, and for that reason should desire and endeavor to give his very best to the
world, and give it graciously.
Finally; the union of fellowship and service is so unusual, that some, on coming into contact with its
organized expression, are carried away with its possibilities. Rotary is fellowship and service organized. If it
continues to be just this, plus the possibilities, it will mean more to us, with the passing years, than if we give it
Utopian objects to accomplish."
1915-16, Continued
Also from "...always on Thursday...":
A personal contribution by Carl Weeks, Vice President (Des Moines Club) in 1915,
supplemented the Report on Rotary Philosophy. It is also reprinted, verbatim, as it expresses the
individual's obligation of Rotary membership completely, concisely, thoroughly.
THE UNWRITTEN OBLIGATION OF ROTARY
By Carl Weeks, Vice President, Rotary Club of Des Moines
My membership in Rotary is offered as a recognition of merit in what I
do. It imposes upon me the necessity for continuing diligently in doing that as
best I can.
On a basis of true quality, it requires of me most frank friendship and
sincere good-fellowship toward all Rotarians.
It requires my active co-operation in Rotary, and with individual
Rotarians, within the limits of reason and good taste.
It requires that all, and Rotarians in particular, shall receive the utmost
in courtesy, consideration, and values, in their dealing with me.
It requires of me that I be able, and that I faithfully discharge any
business or other obligation I honorably assume.
Rotary requires of me that I be a good citizen, in the largest sense of the
word, and as a man engaged in the service of business (a calling equal in honor
to any), that I show by example my faith in the ultimate triumph of honesty,
friendship and righteousness in business.
Over and above all else, it requires, good-fellowship, to the end that I
will be willing to understand my friend's point of view in his business, and see to
it that he shall come to know mine.
To praise Rotarians in business, where praise is merited, and contribute
my quota toward establishing in my Circle, my City, my State, my Nation, and
through them, the World, the Democracy and Friendship and Understanding.
1916-17
Governor:
Club:
Orville Fee
Lincoln, Nebraska
RI President:
Arch C. Klumph, Cleveland, Ohio
International Convention:
1916
District Conference:
Sioux City
Cincinnati, OH, USA
Orville Fee
Note: Excerpts from The Sioux City Daily Tribune, January 20, 1917
More than 200 Rotarians in session here. Governor Fee was given a demonstration when he called the
meeting to order. The Rotary spirit was evidenced in songs and yells resembling an enlarged gathering of college
students.
Dr. Pidgeon in Opening Address Urges "Service"
Dr. E. Leslie Pidgeon, Winnipeg pastor, and an international Rotary vice president, in his address before
the Rotary mass meeting in the First Presbyterian Church declared the aim of Rotary is to "serve humanity." ...
Excerpts from The Rotary Foundation -- 75 Years of Service:
Arch Klumph was a man of extraordinary energy, and his devotion to the cause of Rotary unparalleled.
"There is no limit to the opportunities for Rotary to spread its field of service," he once said. Rising from boyhood
poverty to outstanding success as a businessman in Cleveland, Ohio, Arch Klumph was also an active civic leader,
accomplished flutist (he was a member of the Cleveland Symphony Orchestra for 14 years) and sportsman. As
chairman of a committee to write a new Constitution for Rotary International, he was responsible for the document
which set up districts, created the office of district governor, and established the annual district conference. He also
wrote the standard constitution and by-laws for all Rotary clubs, adopted in 1915. His work provided the cohesive
unity necessary for Rotary's growth.
(In 1917) ...Klumph...proposed to the Atlanta Convention the creation of an "endowment fund for
Rotary...for the purpose of doing good in the world in charitable, educational and other avenues of community
service." A few months later, the newly born endowment received its first contribution of $26.50 from the Rotary
Club of Kansas City, Missouri, U.S.A. -- the money was originally meant to buy a memento for President Klumph,
but the Missourians decided to contribute it towards the endowment fund instead. Another donation soon came in
from the Rotary Club of San Francisco. The endowment fund that would grow into the Rotary Foundation was on its
way.
1916-17 Continued
Quotes from Arch Klumph:
"We should look at the Foundation as being not something of today or tomorrow, but think of it in terms of
the years and generations to come. Rotary is a movement for the centuries."
"We do not intend...that participation in The Rotary Foundation is either a duty or an obligation on the part
of any individual Rotarian. We want every bequest to be voluntary and given as a privilege. Primarily the
endowment fund is established to provide a way by which Rotarians who have a true vision of the great possibilities
of Rotary in the future...may have the privilege and satisfaction of leaving something which will assist in carrying
the ideals of Rotary on, in perpetuity."
"The Rotary Foundation is not to build monuments of brick or stone. If we work upon marble, it will
perish; if we work on brass, time will deface it; if we rear temples, they will crumble into ruins. But if we work upon
immortal minds, if we imbue them with the full meaning of the Spirit of Rotary as expressed in our Objects and with
the just fear of God and love of fellowmen, we are engraving on those tablets something that will brighten all
eternity."
1917-18
Governor:
Club:
Amos A. Ayers
Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Amos Ayers was a charter member of the Sioux Falls, SD, Rotary
Club (1915).
Born
May 5, 1874 Cambridge, Illinois
Died
September 30, 1955
Master Mason
1904
Master Minnehaha Lodge,
Sioux Falls, SD
1907
Employment
Wholesale Grocery Broker
Amos A. Ayers
RI President::
E. Leslie Pidgeon, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
International Convention:
1917 Atlanta, Georgia, USA
District Conference:
Cedar Rapids
Montrose Hotel
Notable Speakers:
Hon. W. L. Harding, Governor of Iowa
Allen D. Albert, Past Rotary President
"Should Rotary Initiate Community Movements"
H. F. Brownell, Sioux Falls
"Rotary, a Universal Influence"
Sarj. Maj. Nice of London (of the English Army)
February 21-22, 1918
(Gave an interesting description of his experiences in the war)
Willard J. Kennedy, Sioux City
"What Financial Standing is Necessary as a Qualification
for Membership"
J. R. Perkins, Ft. Madison
"Rotary's International Aspect, and the Importance of an
International Convention in War Time"
Wm. A Pratt
"Rotary after the War"
R. A. McDowell, Louisville, KY, RI vice president
"International Rotary"
1917-18 Continued
Note: Excerpts from a Cedar Rapids newspaper, February 22, 1918.
LOFTY ROTARIAN IDEALS ABLY EXPOUNDED AT TENTH
DISTRICT CONFERENCE OPENING MEETING
Rotarians from many cities in Iowa, South Dakota and Nebraska poured into Cedar Rapids on every train
Thursday morning to participate in the Tenth District conference which opened in the big club room of Hotel
Montrose at 10 o'clock. Eighty Rotarians had registered at 9:30 and nearly two hundred at noon. They are enjoying
what is probably the most inspirational and helpful convention ever held in this city, a convention addressed by
highly educated men of rare eloquence, golden ideals and practical wisdom. It is a meeting filled with genuine
patriotism, warmed with a thrill of love for humanity and permeated with a desire and a determination to render
service. Service to humanity, the great keynote of former meetings, is this year supplemented with another of equal
force and beauty, service to county in this hour of "lamentable tragedy thrust upon an unhappy world", as Rotarian
Brownell of Sioux Falls, described it.
ARRIVAL OF DELEGATIONS
The delegation from Sioux Falls and Aberdeen, S.D., arrived Wednesday night, and spent the night on the
special sleepers that brought them here. Early morning arrivals were the delegations from Clinton, Ottumwa, Des
Moines and Council Bluffs. A big delegation came on a special train run from Iowa City over the C.R. & I.C.
interurban, and a large crowd was brought to Cedar Rapids over the Waterloo interurban from Waterloo. The
delegation from Davenport was also among the morning arrivals and their smiles of greeting were topped off by the
white felt "sky pieces" which the delegation wore.
GOVERNOR HARDING HERE
Governor Harding was an early arrival and seated himself modestly in the rear of the conference hall.
When the delegates discovered his presence they made him stand up and then they arose and cheered him.
The hall was tastefully decorated with national colors, Rotarian flags, and with the banners of the various
delegations. Among the "decorations" was a big red light in the rear of the hall facing the speakers. It was turned
on the instant the speaker had reached the limit of his time. Surely this is a Rotarian idea that ought to be copied at
all meetings -- especially where there are a lot of after dinner speeches. ...
SANG SPANGLED BANNER
The conference was patriotic from the start and at the beginning Rotarian Earle Killeen got the Rotarians on
their feet and started them singing The Star Spangled Banner. Wonder of wonders! They could all sing and they all
knew the words. Nothing like it ever happened here before. Killeen showed his pride in them.
RESPONSE BY GOVERNOR AYERS
The response to Rotarian F. C. Fisher's address of welcome was given by Amos E. Ayers, district governor,
of Sioux Falls, SD, who then took charge of the meeting. Mr. Ayers said, in part:
Since Governor Fee called our Conference to order a little over a year ago in Sioux City, 1917 has passed
into history and made its record as one of the most eventful years in the history of our nation.
From a position of "watchful waiting" on the thin ice of neutrality, we have taken our rightful place in the
ranks of those fighting for democracy -- for those righteous ideals of a free people, the ideals our forefathers fought
for in the early days of our country.
We, with our motto of Service, Not Self, are called upon now to take a place in the affairs of the nation
with less thought of self profit than ever before.
Recruited as we are, one from each profession or business, we are on trial in our respective communities to
measure up to that standard of leadership and service that our selective membership implies.
As Rotarians, we must, therefore take prominent place in all things financial and constructive in the needs
of our nation and of our soldiers at the front and in training.
To that end our clubs should carry on a campaign of intensive education of wartime needs.
Our program committee has carried this thought all through our conference program for this session.
I cannot impress too strongly on the delegates here assembled the necessity of good, strong delegations
from each club in our Tenth district to the International "Win the War" convention at Kansas City in June, at which
many subjects of national importance will be discussed.
1917-18 Continued
Two very vital topics will be the subjects of papers at this conference -- The duty of Rotary to the Boy and
Coordinating the work of Raising Funds for War Activities --.
The latter has good arguments pro and con and is an important wartime subject.
The Boy question is of more than wartime importance for it reaches into the future life of our nation and
there are no arguments against it.
We, as Rotarians and citizens must be alive to the growing need of better education in morals and
citizenship of the future men of our land. We are too prone to forget the necessities of the motherless or fatherless,
the waif of the street, in the problems of our own.
Pardon me if I talk shop for a moment; the food situation along certain lines is more serious than many
appreciate. Conservation as preached by Mr. Hoover is not a fad or a hobby, but a stern reality. Each of you as
individuals whatever your business or profession, should make of yourselves police officers to assist in the
observation of the conservation rules not only in your own homes but in the homes of your friends and neighbors.
We must win the war.
What possible sacrifice can we who must stay at home make equal to the sacrifice our boy and our
neighbor's boy offers when he goes to the colors maybe never to return. ...
THE IDEALS OF ROTARY
"Rotary may be defined as the business man's religion," said President H. F. Brownell, of the Sioux Falls
Rotary club in his address at the Tenth district conference here Thursday morning. It is not based upon any fear as
to his existence after death, but it is an expression of the faith in which he lives. All men need something by which
they may poetize and idealize their lives and so keep them from becoming humdrum and sordid. Rotary with its
altruism and other noble conceptions of life fills these needs and it has brought a new idealism into the world.
INFLUENCES OF ROTARY
"Today we are considering the influences of Rotary in the soul of the individual and also in its influence in
the nation and the world in the lamentable tragedy now thrust upon an unhappy world. Rotary is not an end to a
man's business affairs, but a living, vital force which guides him and directs all his relations with humanity."
ROTARY AFTER THE WAR
Mr. Brownell said he believed Rotary would be of immense influence in the world in the rapid
readjustment of ideals after the war. Then will come the time when the world will decide against the doctrine now
held in Germany that some are ordained to rule, and in favor of the American doctrine that all men are born free and
independent, capable of choosing, building and performing their own form of government, the kind of government
under which they desire to live.
After the war, the principles that guided John Hancock in signing the Declaration of Independence and
Robespierre and his followers in over-throwing the monarchial principle in France will prevail again. We thought
that principle was dead, but for many decades it has been nurtured by the house of Hohenzollern. It found
expression in the impious words of Frederick William, father of the present kaiser. "Salvation may belong to God,
but everything else is in charge of myself."
It found expression also in the words of Kaiser Wilhelm, "I am the instrument of the Almighty and war and
death to those who oppose my mission."
"Against that doctrine," said Mr. Brownell, "we will expend the last dollar of American fortune and the last
drop of American blood." (Cheers.)
ROTARIANS PLEDGE AID TO WIN WAR
Governor Harding made the speech of his life at the Tenth District Rotary conference here, Thursday
afternoon. Again and again he was cheered loudly and when he concluded the whole audience arose and gave him a
genuine ovation.
"The Iowa soldier in the Rainbow division, over there in the trenches, perhaps knee deep in mud, is fighting
for you and for your family," shouted the governor in the course of his address. "Are you going to back him?"
"Yes, we are; we will," cried the audience.
1918-19
Governor:
Club:
Fred L. Northey
Waterloo
The first President and a charter member of the Waterloo
Rotary Club was Fred L. Northey, 1915-16. His classification was
"Refrigerators". Fred was born at Conesville, Iowa, July 24, 1875
and came to Waterloo in 1886, graduating from Gates College.
Fred L. Northey
He was also President of Northey Manufacturing Company,
manufacturing commercial refrigerators for the hotel and restaurant trade. He was a director of
Black Hawk County Chapter of American Red Cross for 27 years. He was Past Exalted Ruler of
the Elks and a member of the Loyal Order of Moose. He was a life member of the Vestry of
Christ Episcopal Church. Fred served as City Clerk from 1936-1948. He was a loyal and
faithful servant and took part in many Rotary activities up until the time of his death on January
15, 1949.
RI President:
International Convention:
John Poole, Washington, D.C. USA
1918 Kansas City, MO, USA
District Conference:
Omaha
1919-20
Governor:
Club:
Charles Strader
Lincoln, Nebraska
RI President:
International Convention:
Albert S. Adams, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
1919 Salt Lake City, UT, USA
District Conference:
Des Moines April 19-20, 1920
Hotel Fort Des Moines
Conference Secretary:
Clyde L. Hulsizer
Notable Speakers:
Fred Bartlett, Aberdeen, SD
"A Message of Rotary"
John N. Dyer, 1st Vice President, Rotary International
(presented at the Princess Theater)
Adolphus H. Talbot, Lincoln, Nebraska
(Talbot was prevented from attending due to the death of
his sister. His speech was read by Adrian M. Newens of
Lincoln)
W. A. Pratt, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
"Americanism"
Special matinee performance of "Saturday to Monday" courtesy
of the Princess Theater
Entertainment:
Note: Excerpts from the Council Bluffs newspaper The Nonpareil, March 19, 1920
LOCAL MEN START ATLANTIC ROTARY
NINETEEN FROM HERE AT MEETING OF CLUB WEDNESDAY NIGHT
CHARLIE STRADER THERE
District Governor Starts New Organization on its Proper Pathway of Service
Local Men on Program
Nineteen Rotarians of Council Bluffs went to Atlantic Wednesday evening and helped nineteen Rotarians
of that place start the third Rotary club in southwestern Iowa. Members of the Red Oak club, organized during the
winter by the local Rotary, were at the Atlantic meeting.
Charlie Strader of Lincoln, Neb., governor of the Sixteenth district of Rotary, accompanied the local
delegation and gave a talk that put the new club on the proper Rotary path of service. ...
The star performers in the banquet room of the New Merchants cafe were J. Chris Jenson of this
city, who had charge of the organization of the Atlantic club; Harry Swan, president of the Atlantic Rotary;
1919-20 Continued
Glandon Fisher head of the Red Oak club, Charles Strader, "Twice Mayor" M. R. Roher, Charlie Beno, Carl Pryor,
local Rotary secretary, and Julius Ungar.
Jenson and Swan presided and Strader gave the main talk of the evening. Pryor outlined the history of
Rotary and gave a brief emphasis of its demand for service, reading a supplementary poem to Sam Walter Floss,
"House by the Side of the Road," written by a prisoner in the California state penitentiary. These verses held that a
man was not doing his best who "lived by the side of the road and was a friend to man," but that he should go up the
road and help the chap who had fallen before he got to the house.
Glendon Fisher of the Red Oak club presented to the Atlantic organization a big Rotary cog wheel and a
picture of Bert Adams, president of International Rotary.
Roher outlined some history of Pottawattamie and Cass counties and wound up with his well known hymn,
which all the Council Bluffs Rotarians helped him sing. Charlie Beno sang about how McFadden was taught to
dance, and then he and Julius Ungar demonstrated.
The songs of the evening were lead by Dr. Carl Brandt, cheer leader of the local club. The two score
"dignified" persons present sang loud enough to waken all the dells in Cass county, and some new verses were tried
out with good success.
Good rounds of cheers and several songs were devoted to Miss Lou Bragg, proprietor of the Merchants
Cafe, who made special arrangements for the banquet.
Note: Excerpts from the Des Moines Register, April 19, 1920:
700 ROTARIANS IN CONVENTION HERE
Conference Opens This Morning; to Parade in Afternoon
Between 600 and 700 Rotarians arrived here yesterday for the annual convention of the 16th District of the
International Rotary Club.
Meetings will be held at Hotel Fort Des Moines today & tomorrow and a luncheon will be given at Hotel
Savery today. Wives of the delegates will be entertained at luncheon at Harris-Emery's tearoom this noon.
District Governor Charles Strader of Lincoln Neb. was one of yesterday mornings early arrivals. He will
preside at all meetings.
John N. Dyer, first vice-president of the International Rotary Club is expected to arrive this morning. Mr.
Dyer's home is in Vincennes, Ind. He is the officer who will represent the International organization here.
Practically every chapter in the club in the territory has sent delegations. The largest body came from
Council Bluffs, there being 68 on the special that reached here last evening. Other especially large delegations came
from Mitchell, South Dakota, Charles City, Iowa, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Lincoln, Nebraska and Omaha.
Note: The Council Bluffs club was prominently featured thoughout the conference -- they came
in force, determined to elect their club president, Billy Coppock, as the next District Governor.
The following are excerpts from the Council Bluffs newspaper The Nonpareil, March 20, 1920:
COUNCIL BLUFFS IN GOOD AT THE ROTARY
Largest Delegation at Convention which began at Des Moines today
COPPOCK FOR GOVERNOR
A telegram from Des Moines this morning says that Council Bluffs probably has the largest delegation at
the big district Rotary convention. The Council Bluffs delegation numbers sixty-eight, while of those which had
arrived up to 10 o'clock this morning, the average was around fifteen. The telegram said there was, apparently, little
opposition to W. M. Coppock, president of the Council Bluffs club, for election as governor of the Sixteenth Rotary
district. The Omaha delegation, it was understood, would have a candidate, but it is believed that Coppock has the
better chance for election.
1919-20 Continued
(By a Staff Correspondent) Des Moines, Ia., April 19.
This is the song that is being heard on the streets of Des Moines, in the Fort Des Moines Hotel, The Savery
Hotel, Harris-Emery Tea room, Princess Theater and Hoyt Sherman Place. It is the song brought here by rotarians
and rotarettes from Council Bluffs, and they are making the convention city of the Sixteenth Rotary district hum
with its rollicking tune. They ... want "Billy" Coppock for governor of the Sixteenth Rotary District, comprising
Iowa, Nebraska and South Dakota. And here is the song they are singing for Billy to the tune of "Mickey".
Coppock, Billy Coppock,
You're the pride of ROTAREE
With your smiling so beguiling
With your friendly way and hearty
laugh so free:
We are for you, William Coppock,
We're here to see you through:
Billy Coppock, Billy Coppock,
Can you blame anyone for falling
in love with you?
Note: Excerpts from the Council Bluffs newspaper The Nonpareil, April 21, 1920
BLUFFS MAKE HIT IN ROTARY PARADE
This City Takes The Honors in the First Day of the Big Convention
TRAIN IN PROCESSION
DES MOINES, IA., April 19. -- It was almost Council Bluffs day at the convention of the Sixteenth district of the
Rotary clubs here today. Not only were there more persons wearing the Council Bluffs arm band of gold and blue
than any other, but the Council Bluffs train in the parade was the feature of the column. Charles McDonald of Sioux
Falls, the main speaker at the noonday luncheon claimed on the floor that he was a Council Bluffs product, and
Blain Wilcox and his home town got a big hand at the evening session when he gave every woman a rose and every
man a carnation. Praises were sung for Blain and for Council Bluffs, the song leader standing on the table.
The Council Bluffs train in the parade attracted attention from the time it left the Herring Motor company
building until it was taken back. A dozen men worked all day assembling the parts of the engine, tender and two
Pullman's and another dozen hired to carry the floats in the parade. A change of plans put the engine on wheels
instead of a truck. The train, around which the Bluffs men walked in blue overalls, jackets and caps, carrying
lanterns and huge oil cans, brought up the rear of the parade, and got the hand all along the streets. A good many of
the Council Bluffs women "rode" in the cars, and practically the entire boy population of Des Moines helped carry
the cars or "rode" on the platforms. A liberal amount of whistling and signalling from brakeman to brakeman
carried out the railroad idea to its finish. The front of the engine bore "C. B. R.", while the Pullmans were labeled
"Coppock's Special." Across the top of the cars were the words, "Council Bluffs---Railroads to Everywhere." This
inscription in large letters appeared on the back of the uniformed Council Bluffs delegation.
So pleased were other club members and the officials, that Charlie Strader, district governor, asked the
Bluffs boys to stay in their uniforms during the evening session. This they did, until the heat in the room drove them
out of the extra clothing.
During the forenoon session, Carl Pryor of the Council Bluffs club, made a hit with a short talk in a general
discussion of the capital and labor proposition, suggesting that Rotary had an opportunity to bring the two factions
of social life together, by bringing into the club the constructive elements of both.
The noonday luncheon was at the Hotel Savery, and the evening meal at the Hotel Fort Des Moines.
Special entertainment was provided for the women at noon, but all were together for the night banquet. South
Dakota had charge of the Savery hotel program, while Nebraska held forth at the Fort Des Moines.
The other southwestern Iowa Rotary clubs, Red Oak and Atlantic, are very much on the map. Glendon
Fisher, president of the Red Oak club, is prominent on the resolutions committee, and the parade feature of the
1919-20 Continued
Atlantic boys made a big hit. They bore a sign, "Atlantic, the Baby Club of Iowa," and each man was dressed as a
baby, and walked the street sucking at a huge bottle and nipple.
The songs that always go with Rotary meetings are very much heard. Council Bluffs, because of the
numbers of its delegates, can hold its own against all comers, but Dubuque, under the leadership of Song Leader
Murphy makes the southwestern Iowa boys look to their laurels. Charles City is another club that has the harmony
and volume. Kearney, Neb., got a good deal of applause at the Monday evening meeting, when the wife of one of
the members led the singing from a place on the table. It was at the evening meeting that Murphy of Dubuque
spilled his coffee, and at the invitation of a fellow Rotarian, practically every person of the 1,000 in the hall, threw
his or her napkin to him. The result was quite a linen shower for the Dubuque man.
Council Bluffs was handicapped at the evening meeting because her delegates were scattered. Taking the
day as a whole, it lost nothing in singing, however, for at noon, from their place in a corner, the Bluffs men had
something to sing about everyone and everything, and if there was no especial provocation, they just sang.
During the afternoon, John Dyer, first vice president of the International Association of Rotary Clubs,
spoke at the Princess Theater on the opportunity Rotary had to take part in the reconstruction period since the war.
A short play by Princess troupe followed his address, and the parade ended the afternoon session.
According to Rotary practice, no boosting of candidates was indulged in to any noisy extent the first day.
The Council Bluffs men and women say they will make up for lost time Tuesday, however, and sing and talk Billy
Coppock from breakfast to the time of the election at 2 o'clock.
Plans now are for Charlie McDonald of Sioux Falls to make the first seconding speech of Billy's
nomination which will be made first in a formal way to the nomination committee. After McDonald has spoken the
field will be open for other seconding speeches.
Part of the program of the Tuesday luncheon will be in charge of the Bluffs delegation. The reformation of
a grouch will be exemplified in a mock Rotary meeting. Ted Leary, Joe Smith and Chris Jensen will play the
leading parts.
Note: Excerpts from the Council Bluffs newspaper The Nonpareil, April 22, 1920:
C. B. GETS MORE ROTARY LAURELS
Silver Loving Cup Awarded Club for Most "Mileage" at Convention
MANN'S TALK GREAT HIT
Impromptu Speech by Clergyman Member of Local Club Called by
Many Best Given During Entire Conference
The Council Bluffs delegation to the Rotary club convention at Des Moines this week arrived home
Tuesday night and Wednesday morning, bringing with it everything that could be brought away. One of the last
things annexed by the club during its two-day stay in Des Moines was a silver loving cup for bringing the most
representatives the greatest number of miles to the meetings. When he awarded the cup, District Governor Charlie
Strader warned the Des Moines delegates who were planning to take some Rotarians on an auto trip about town, that
if any Council Bluffs persons were going with them, they'd better see that all spare tires were securely locked on, for
"Council Bluffs is taking everything out of this convention."
Billy Coppock, local president, was nominated for district governor by Carl Pryor at 11:30 o'clock Tuesday
morning. Charlie McDonald of Sioux Falls, a former Council Bluffs man, seconded. Then Muscatine came in and
Red Oak, and Lincoln, and Atlantic and some others, until it was evident that practically every club was going to
second Coppock's nomination, if given a chance. Governor Strader then asked for other nominations, and there was
a silence. And Billy Coppock of Council Bluffs, was declared unanimously elected.
MANN'S SPEECH GREAT
Coppock's election and the awarding of the cup were but two of the things Council Bluffs put across
Tuesday, however. At the noonday luncheon the local boys had charge of the entertainment and put on an imitation
Rotary dinner, and it was there that Rotarian Bill Mann (Rev. W. E. Mann of St. Paul's Episcopal church), gave his
talk on "Boys" that in the corridors of the convention hall afterward was called the "best this district ever heard."
Men whose eyes had not known tears for years, wept without effort at restraint, when the
1919-20 Continued
rector switched from a streak of humor in his short talk, to a height of thought and expression that held the thousand
men in the hall as no other talk or address had done.
Bill Mann's talk was given as a part of the little "Rotarian Dinner" presented by the Bluffs Rotarians. The
entertainment began with Ted Leary persuading Joe Smith to bring I. Soakem (J. Chris Jensen), a chronic grouch, to
the Rotary dinner. Joe succeeded in doing it, and the usual Rotary weekly program was carried out. After Bill
Mann's talk, as a part of the act, I. Soakem became a changed man. But the effect of the talk went much farther and,
according to Rotarians afterward, did as much as anything Council Bluffs did to put the club on the map of the
Sixteenth district.
C. B. FURNISHES A FOURTH
Council Bluffs furnished one-fourth of the Rotary representatives who visited Des Moines. That is, not
counting the members of the Des Moines club who were in the city. Of the forty-seven other clubs, Council Bluffs
furnished a fourth. This was evident around the Hotel Fort Des Moines, the Bluffs headquarters.
The business carried out Tuesday was mostly of routine Rotary matters.
One affair which was not on the program, but which Council Bluffs also controlled, was the dance in the
ball room of the hotel, given Monday evening after the evening's program. Until 12 o'clock, all Rotarians and lady
Rotarians danced to the music of an orchestra. At that time, however, the orchestra left and the Bluffs delegation
took charge. Mr. and Mrs. John Turner presided at the piano, and the dancing Rotarians, headed by Billy Coppock,
tripped the light fantastic until about 2 o'clock. Billy wasn't the only big Rotarian on the ball
room floor early in the morning, however, Charlie Strader, district governor was there, as was John Dyer, first vice
president of the international association.
As one member of the delegation put it, "We went, we had a good time and we got blamed near
everything."
1920-21
Governor:
Club:
William Coppock
Council Bluffs
Note: Excerpt from the Des Moines Tribune, April 20, 1920:
William Coppock, Council Bluffs, was elected governor of the tristate
conference of Rotarians in session at Hotel Savery this morning.
The election of Coppock was unanimous, there being no other
competitor for the place.
Coppock, who is president of the Council Bluffs, Ia., club at present, is
the laundry member of the organization there, and is secretary-treasurer of the
Eagle laundry.
He was elected president of the Bluffs club last year by the board of
directors, although not on the board itself, and has put the Rotarians of his city
William Coppock
behind all civic work. The establishment of the boy scouts in Council Bluffs
was due to the Rotary club.
During a recent Chamber of Commerce membership drive Coppock pledged every Rotarian to the chamber
as a worker and leader, and so successfully carried out his promise that the leader of the chamber drive said
afterward "The Rotary club was the backbone of the campaign."
Mrs. Coppock could not be present to see her husband's election, being quarantined at home with her older
son, who has scarlet fever. The Coppocks have two boys, William, Jr., and John.
RI President:
International Convention:
Estes Snedecor, Portland, Oregon, USA
1920 Atlantic City, NJ, USA
District Conference:
Dubuque
Note: William Coppock was RI 2nd Vice President in 1921-22.
1921-22
Governor:
Club:
Luther A. Brewer
Cedar Rapids
Luther A. Brewer was a charter member of the Cedar
Rapids club (1914) and was club president for the 1915-16 Rotary
year. In a brief history of the club, Brewer is described as "another
prime mover" in the formation of the club. His business was listed
as president of the Republican Printing Company.
Note: Mr. Brewer was a prolific author of primarily historical
articles and publications. The Iowa State University Library lists
over 20 titles under his name.
Luther A. Brewer
From The Biographical Record of Linn County Iowa (1901)
One of the prominent representatives of the journalistic profession in Iowa is Luther A. Brewer, the wellknown assistant business manager of the Republican, of Cedar Rapids. He took up his residence in this city on the
14th of July, 1884, and since the 10th of March, 1887, has been connected with the paper of which he is now the
active manager. He was born in Welsh Run, Pennsylvania, December 17, 1858, and is a son of Jacob and Kate
Brewer, also natives of that state and of Normandy French extraction. Our subject's ancestors were among the early
settlers of Pennsylvania, his great-grandfather having come to this country in the early part of the eighteenth century
and located there.
During his boyhood Luther A. Brewer attended the public schools of his native state, and prepared for
college under private instruction. In 1879 he entered Pennsylvania College at Gettysburg, where he pursued a
classical course and was graduated in 1883. He was then principal of the high school at Boonesboro, Maryland, for
one year, and at the end of that time came west to Spencer, Iowa where he was a teller in the Clay county bank for a
short time. As previously stated, he came to Cedar Rapids July 14, 1884, and for a time engaged in the study of law.
Later he was bookkeeper for a coal firm until offered the position of city editor of the Republican, entering upon the
duties of that position March 10, 1887, and capably filling them for two years. Subsequently he was assistant
manager in the business office of the company, and in 1894 was made business manager, having at the same time
purchased an interest in the paper, which he subsequently sold. In the conduct of the business he has met with most
excellent success, and has made the paper one of the leading journals in this section of the state.
On the 3rd of February, 1898, in Cedar Rapids, Mr. Brewer married Miss Elinore Taylor, a native of this
city. As a Republican Mr. Brewer has been prominently identified with political affairs and, was at one time
secretary of the county central committee and chairman of the city committee of this party. He was state inspector
of illuminating oils for three years and a half, having been appointed to that position to succeed the late L. S.
Merchant. Socially he is a member of the Knights of Pythias fraternity and religiously is a member of the Lutheran
Church, of which he is treasurer. Mr. Brewer is university publisher for the State University at Iowa City, and is
also lecturer on journalism at that institution. He is a man of literary tastes and exceptional ability, and has one of
the largest and most select private libraries in Iowa.
From History of Linn County Iowa by Luther A. Brewer and Barthinius L. Wick
THE DAILY REPUBLICAN AND THE EVENING TIMES
The Daily Republican is the outgrowth of the daily Observer. In 1872 the Observer was transferred to the
Republican Printing Company, and the name, which at first was the Cedar Rapids Republican, was changed to
1921-22 Continued
the Daily Republican, the present name of the paper.
Mr. Brewer, who had been assistant business manager, together with W. R. Boyd and L. S. Merchant
purchased the paper in 1892. The paper was at the beginning of what seemed to be an uninterrupted period of
ownership and prosperity when death suddenly claimed Mr. Merchant in 1894. Mrs. Merchant retained her
husband's interest and the paper went on as before and waged a fight against free silver in the campaign of 1896
which made it nationally prominent. Mr. Brewer in the meantime had built up a very large job printing and book
binding department.
In 1898 the entire plant was sold to H. G. McMillan and Cyrenus Cole. Mr. Brewer remained with the
paper as its business manager for some time. In 1907 Mr. Brewer left the business an opened up a big book-making
plant of his own known as The Torch Press. In July of the same year however, The Torch Press bought out the
interest of Mr. McMillan and the Daily Republican and the Evening Times have since been owned and published by
Messrs. Brewer and Cole. The Torch Press Book-shop is the biggest and most largely patronized book shop west of
Chicago.
RI President:
International Convention:
Crawford C. McCullough, Fort William, Ontario, Canada
1921 Edinburgh, Scotland
District Conference:
Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Notes from the 80th anniversary book of the Burlington club:
Phil Carspecken, long-time editor of "The Bur-ro", Burlington Rotary's weekly letter, wrote and dedicated
the following poem to his friend, Luther Brewer, while he was District Governor:
LUTHER A. BREWER
Rotarian - Aged 63
The ardor of youth, the wisdom of age,
A soul that delights to serve;
Harmonious blending of boy and sage--Of vigor and calm reserve.
Sportsman and scholar, a man of the mart,
A trav'ler on land and sea,
And Rotary's love in his kindly heart--That's Luther---at sixty-three!
There's that in his nature that speaks to me
Of a soul and heart at ease.
And the wisdom and quiet dignity
Of Plato or Socrates.
And one may travel for many a mile
Before he will chance to see
The glory that glows in the kindly smile
Of Luther---at sixty-three!
Tho Rotary's Message has reached the heart
Of thousands in youthful prime,
Who actively ply on the busy mart
And glow 'neath its touch sublime;
Of all who are heeding its teachings now,
Its halo, it seems to me,
Most fittingly graces the silvered brow
Of Luther---at sixty-three!
1922-23
Governor:
Club:
Paul Rankin
Dubuque
Excerpt from The Davenport Democrat and Leader,
March 22, 1923:
District Governor Paul Rankin of Dubuque, formerly of Davenport,
who is presiding at the sessions of the big Rotary International Eleventh district
conference here, is one of the best known of Rotarians. He has been
particularly active in his term of office. It is one of the rules of Rotary that the
district governor shall visit each of the clubs in his district at least once. "Paul"
has had a very large district, with 78 clubs in Iowa, Nebraska and South
Dakota. It is nearly impossible to visit them all and this is one of the reasons
why the district is to be split into two territories, an eastern and a western.
RI President:
International Convention:
District Conference:
Conference Chairman:
Banquet:
Raymond H. Havens, Kansas City,
Missouri, USA
1922 Los Angeles, CA, USA
Davenport
March 22-23, 1923
A. J. (Burt) Russell
Rock Island Arsenal
Paul Rankin
Registered attendance:
From outside the Host City
708 Men
210 Women
918 Total
From the Host City
162 Men
164 Women
326 Total
Total Registered Attendance
870 Men
374 Women
1,244 Total
Notable Speakers:
Herbert C. Wilson, Worchester, Mass.
"A Message from Rotary International"
Ed Eustis, Atlantic, Iowa
"Boys Work"
Senator Coe I. Crawford, Huron, SD
"Business Methods"
Gus Hostettler, Des Moines, Iowa
"Rotary in Action"
J. A. S. Pollard, Fort Madison, Iowa
"Philosophy of Service"
Ralph Stafford, Muscatine, Iowa
"A Rotarian's Ideal"
Fred Kammueller, Dubuque, Iowa
"Community Development between Rural and Urban
Population"
Geo. E. Newell, Hastings Neb.
"Friendships of Rotary"
1922-23 Continued
The following resolution was unanimously adopted by the Conference:
Subject: Division of the 11th District
WHEREAS the Eleventh District, during the past year, under the able and constructive leadership of Governor Paul
Rankin, has not only maintained, but has advanced the Ideals of Rotary and thereby has contributed to the growth
and influence of Rotary International,
BE IT RESOLVED, that we extend to Governor Paul our congratulations on his outstanding accomplishments and
the wonderful record he made in visiting every Club in the largest District in Rotary International and we recognize
that the Club accomplishments for the year have been due in large measure to his inspirational work on such visits.
RESOLVED that the present District Conference marks the end of the Old Eleventh as a single District of Rotary.
Instead of one Governor there will be two Governors -- Ambassadors of Rotary International -- for the Clubs of
Iowa, Nebraska and South Dakota.
WHEREAS it is a division, and yet not a division. That is the beauty and the strength of Rotary. A single Code; a
single pledge of "Service Above Self"; a single guiding motto -- "All things whatsoever ye would that men should
do unto you, do ye even so unto them", a single objective, "the betterment of the individual, of his town, State and
Country, of his craft or profession, and of Society as a whole". This is Rotary International, of which the old
Eleventh is still part, and it knows no division!
WHEREAS the Clubs are grouped in Districts not that they may function separately from the balance of the
International organization, but that through their own chosen Ambassadors they may more clearly hear the voice of
the International organization and may direct their thoughts and actions along the smooth channels of Pure Rotary.
WHEREAS Rotary is the same here as it is in any one of the Cities and Nations where the seed has been planted.
We will step from Iowa into Nebraska and South Dakota and have never a thought that we have crossed into another
"District". We only know and care that we are with Business Leader; Community Builders; Fellow Rotarians!
WHEREAS the splitting up of the Old Eleventh does not mean the breaking up of friendships; the setting up of a
high fence along the Western Counties of Iowa. It only means that we shall receive Rotary International's message
from two mouths and two pens instead of one. But we shall hear with the same ears; we shall see with the same
eyes; and we shall work with the same brains and hands. And we shall continue to labor shoulder to shoulder with
our fellow Rotarians, in and out of the Old Eleventh, for we are always joined and can never be separated in Service.
RESOLVED, therefore, that the foregoing preamble expresses the real heartfelt sentiment on the division of the Old
Eleventh District of International Rotary on the Eve of its separation as a unit District.
1922-23 Continued
The Davenport Democrat and Leader, March 22, 1923, contains several Rotary related articles
and included this cartoon under a front page headline that proclaimed "ROTARY RULES
DAVENPORT". The cartoon portrays world "Civilization" waiting for "Father Time's"
machine to have the drive wheel changed from "Greed" to Rotary's "Service Above Self".
1922-23 Continued
Excerpts from Des Moines Rotary Club Bulletin, 1923:
Convention Sidelights -- from Davenport Papers:
Ladies "Kid" Rankin
With the report of the resolutions committee disposed of, the conference settled down to its regular
program, but not before all delegates enjoyed a hearty laugh on their district governor.
At last evening's banquet, the women present were given small dorrines, as favors, through the courtesy of
Governor Rankin. When the governor granted permission to Harry K. Spencer this morning to hold the floor for 30
seconds, the center doors of the theater were thrown open and in filed the visiting Rotarian women.
They advanced toward the front platform. When in front of Governor Rankin the women bowed, and drew
from their dorrines, presented the night before, the small powder puff which they applied vigorously to their nose,
much to the merriment of the delegates and the pleased consternation of the governor. The women then marched
out.
"How happy I am ladies, that I didn't give you each a comb and brush," laughingly declared Mr. Rankin.
Gift To Rankin
A purse of over $500 in gold and a beautiful diamond set gold Masonic charm were presented to District
Governor Paul Rankin of the Rotarians at this morning's sessions. The presentation address was made by President
Frank D. Throop of the host club who expressed the gratification and appreciation of the Rotarians of Iowa,
Nebraska and South Dakota for their administrative head. Announcement was made that Mr. Rankin has been
selected as first assistant secretary at International Headquarters. "Governor Paul" as he is affectionately known to
all Rotarians, was so affected by the expression of esteem from his brother Rotes that the tears came to his eyes and
it was necessary for another to take the gavel until his composure returned sufficiently to enable him to express his
thanks.
If a man who belongs to Rotary really wishes to become a Rotarian, he will attend the Rotary meetings.
We know that some very good Rotarians say that if the program is top-notch that the "fellows will come out." That
may be true in some cases, but generally it is not. The man who has not sufficient interest in Rotary to attend -- just
for Rotary -- will never make much of a Rotarian, in our humble judgment. If it takes frills and high-lights to get
him out, the sooner he is dropped the better -- for Rotary means much more than entertainment for its members -- it
means a real opportunity for service -- which most Rotarians are eager to grasp. Why fill our club with the type of
fellow who only wishes to be entertained and fed? If that policy is not curbed, it may threaten the reality of Rotary
service. Who does it fit?
Clubs That Followed Rotary
It will be interesting to note the number and names of the clubs of a similar type -- comprising
approximately 300,000 members (90,000 of whom belong to Rotary) -- which have sprung up since the birth of
Rotary in Chicago on February 23, 1905. Here they are:
International Association of Lions Clubs
International Association of Kiwanis Clubs
International Association of Gyro Clubs
Civitan Cubs International
Confederation of Zonta Clubs
National Exchange Club
Optimist Clubs
Vortex Club
Conopus Club
American Business Club
Roxana Club
Co-operative Clubs
Probus Clubs
Cosmopolitan Club
1923-24
Governor:
Club:
Carl Weeks
Des Moines
Carl Weeks was President of the Des Moines Club in
1922-23. According to a copy of his personal letterhead, he was
President of several companies involved in the production of
cosmetics:
The Armand Company
Florian, Inc.
Symphonie, Inc
Armand De Mexico Mexico City
Florian Et Armand France
Armand Ltd. Canada
(See the notes on 1915-16 for his special Rotary activities)
Carl Weeks
RI President:
International Convention:
Guy Gundaker, Philadelphia, PA, USA
1923 St. Louis, MO, CA, USA
District Conference:
Waterloo
March 25-26, 1924
Registered attendance:
From outside the Host City
513 Men
256 Women
769 Total
From the Host City
156 Men
156 Women
312 Total
Total Registered Attendance
669 Men
412 Women
1,081 Total
Notable Speakers:
Frank H. Hatfield, Director, RI
"Rotary's Organization and Activities"
Wm. Louden, Fairfield, Iowa
"The Compulsory Attendance Rule"
Clyde Hulsizer, Des Moines, Iowa
"Classifications"
Douglass Malloch, Chicago, IL
"The Poet Who Makes Living a Joy"
E. Elmo Martin, Cleveland, Ohio
"Just Business"
Note: Carl Weeks was the builder and owner of Salisbury House in Des Moines. This 42 room home is a replica
of King's House in Salisbury, England. Within its thick walls are authentic appointments of the Tudor age: sturdy
furniture, broad spans of wall paneling, classic paintings, sculpture from East and West, precious tapestries, 100
Oriental rugs, stained glass windows and huge fireplaces. A collector's library includes around 3,500 rare volumes.
Pride of the collection is a leaf from the Gutenberg Bible. Salisbury House took five years to build - from 1923 to
1928. At that time, it cost Mr. Weeks $3 million to build, furnish and finish it. The structure is presently occupied
as offices for the Iowa State Education Association.
1923-24 Continued
Excerpts from a Des Moines Rotary Club newsletter, 1923:
The fact ... that we have announced Carl as Des Moines candidate for the District Governorship makes this
the proper time to tell his fellow Rotarians more about him.
You will like Carl. He is easy to know. You'll be drawn to him by his broad smile and firm hand clasp and
big clear eyes.
He was (as most great men) born on a farm near Todville, Linn County, Iowa. For three years he lived
there and then his parents joined the early pioneers in Kansas. Ten years later, poorer, but wiser, they moved back
to Iowa ("Sure crop Iowa").
When only twelve years old Carl started his business career a clerk in a drug store at 5th and Locust streets,
Des Moines. When fifteen he was going to the Highland Park College of Pharmacy, while getting other instructions
in the evenings from an uncle. After having clerked in a number of Iowa towns, Carl bought his own store in
Centerville. This was in 1901. Poor health, however, made it necessary for him to move to Utah a year and a half
later. Here he built up the splendid twelve cylinder machine that generates his tireless energy today. Even now,
Carl likes to slip away out West again and you will find in his home and office many reminders of the friendships
and associations found out there. In 1904, he came back to Des Moines and went into the Medicine business with
his brother, D. Weeks. In 1905 he organized the famous Armand Company of which he is owner and President.
Carl has been a Rotarian since 1914. In 1915, he was chairman of the Des Moines Committee on Rotary
Philosophy -- and you will find that Rotary today is very much the same as that committee eight years ago said
Rotary should be. That same year he was also chairman of the program committee. In 1921, he was again elected
Vice President -- in 1922 President and Des Moines Rotary has enjoyed a notable year under his leadership. He has
always been a tireless worker for Rotary. No call upon his time and energy has ever gone unanswered.
The majority of the clubs in this district have heard him talk and most usually upon his favorite Rotary
subject, "Business Methods." Carl talked before last President and Secretary's Conference at Mason City on this
subject and between 15 and 20 clubs in this district now conduct their Business Methods program according to the
plan he outlined at that time. His ability has been recognized and rewarded by International Rotary -- and he has
been asked to present the Business Methods program at the Milwaukee Conference on March 15th and St. Paul,
March 21st. In April he will make four talks on Rotary Business Methods before Clubs in England. He was
recently made an ex-officio member of the International Committee on Business Methods. All of which goes to
show that Carl is prepared to bring to the Governorship a wealth of experience in Rotary work.
A few facts about his business:
The Armand Company, manufacturers of toilet aids, is one of Iowa's
best known institutions. They do business all over the world. Main offices and factories are in Des Moines, but
there are branch offices or factories in St. Thomas, Ontario, London, Paris, Mexico City, Buenos Ayres, Argentina
and Sidney, N.S.W. Carl visits these offices regularly.
The story of the Armand Company is the story of a man who believes that--"Beauty is a divine expression; that the world is more wonderful today than ever before, its mountains more
sublime, the seas deeper and bluer, its men more comely and its women more beautiful; and that the creation,
perfection and perpetuation of Beauty in homes and surroundings, in children, in men and in women is expected and
even enjoyed by the Infinite."
Talk to Armand dealers or Armand employees and you will find that Carl Weeks practices an well as
preaches the principles of Rotary in Business. And, as Governor of the District, we know that he will give freely of
his tireless energy toward seeing that these same principles are understood by more Rotarians. Des Moines Rotary - that know him, is 100 per cent for him.
1923-24 Continued
Text of an ad sponsored by Rotarian Carl Weeks in "Rotary Week" bulletin on May 10, 1934:
Most of Us Move by Indirection ........................
 In 1907-08 Carl Weeks made a minor "flop" in the Face Powder business.
In 1910, he said he never would go into it again, but thanks to brother Leo, he did.
But nothing was done until 1915 and then only to "close out" a dead one (?).
By March of 1915, Armand was going up hill and couldn't stop.
Businesses have to be renewed. In 1929, Carl discovered a new principle in a new
Face Powder: powder which became transparent when applied. Because when
women put it on their faces, it makes them look like a symphony sounds, Carl
named it SYMPHONIE.
Lovely as your wife or sweetheart is, if she's not a SYMPHONIE user, have her
become one and then you'll fall in love all over again.
Text from a Des Moines Club brochure prepared for a tour of Salisbury House:
In 1921/22 Carl became Vice-President of the Des Moines Rotary Club. It was at this time that his
research and study began on the location and development of a new home. Armand cosmetics and the company
were doing quite well and it was time for the Weeks family to look for a new home.
In 1922/23 Carl became the President of the Rotary Club of Des Moines. This was the same time that
construction began on Salisbury House on the eleven acres of forest area in the western part of Des Moines.
In 1923/24 Carl became District 11 Governor of Rotary. To encourage communications between Rotary
Clubs Carl initiated a special program. The following is a quotation from the report on the August 21st Rotary Club
luncheon. "The presentation of the Eleventh District Rotary Wheel to the Des Moines club by representatives of the
Atlantic Club at last week's luncheon was the final presentation in a most interesting series of presentations, which
had their origin in the always fertile brain of our own Carl.
One of the outstanding things in Rotary is the better acquaintance and intimate association among its
members it gives. To carry this better acquaintance and intimate association to the Clubs of the District was the
primary purpose of the Rotary Wheel and its trip around the complete circle of the Clubs of the District has offered
the opportunity for every club to meet and become better acquainted with some other Club. At the same time, the
programs carried out in these presentations have given each Club an insight into the ideals of Rotary as held and
understood by some other Club and have broadened and strengthened Rotary throughout the Eleventh District.
Everybody knows that Carl Weeks has all the ear-marks of a politician about him, but not until he disclosed
the fact last week that the "Major" of Saulsbury, about A.D. 1574, was Christopher Weeks, and claimed lineal
descent from him, was his political ancestry fully established. By the way, it might easily be "Mayor Carl" in the
not distant future. And "Saulsbury House" again a city's official residence."
Carl's reign as District Governor left a strong legacy not only of increased club relationships, but increased
attendance levels for the District Clubs.
Carl Weeks was indeed the "Consummate Rotarian" and his construction of Salisbury House left another
legacy that Des Moines will long remember. Our thanks to Carl.
1924-25
Governor:
Club:
Charles H. E. Boardman
Marshalltown
Charles Henry Ernest Boardman was born in Marshalltown,
Iowa, August 16, 1870. He graduated from the Marshalltown high
school in 1888. He had an ambition to follow in his father's
footsteps in a professional way, and in order to fit himself for his
career he took a course in Cornell College, at Mt. Vernon, Iowa,
C. H. E. Boardman
from which he was graduated in 1892. He then began the study of law
under H. E. J. Boardman, and was admitted to the bar in 1894. Soon afterwards he began a
general practice in the local courts and succeeded in building up a very satisfactory and rapidly
growing clientele, practicing in all the courts in the state and the United States courts. He is
known to be a very careful and conservative investigator and as a pleader he is forceful and
convincing.
In political matters Mr. Boardman is a stanch Republican, and ably served his party for
two years as city attorney, during which time he made a most commendable record, winning the
hearty approval of all concerned, irrespective of party affiliations.
He was a member of the board of directors and general counsel for the Western Grocer
Company and on the directorate of the Fidelity Saving Bank. He was a charter member and past
president of the Marshalltown Rotary Club; charter member of Elmwood Country Club;
prominent in the Elks and Masons; member of First Methodist Church; American Bar
Association and the Iowa Society of Sons of the American Revolution.
During the first world war he served as county commander of the Red Cross and legal
adviser to the draft board and was a prominent member of the Marshall County Council of
Defense.
RI President:
International Convention:
Everett W. Hill, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
1924 Toronto, ON, Canada
District Conference:
Fort Dodge
March 23-24, 1925
Registered attendance:
From outside the Host City
From the Host City
Total Registered Attendance
509 Men
207 Women
716 Total
75 Men
75 Women
150 Total
584 Men
282 Women
866 Total
1924-25 Continued
Notable Speakers:
John E. Norman, Huntington, West Virginia, RI Director
"Rotary"
Chief Justice F. F. Faville
"World Obligation of Rotary"
Ed O'Dea, Des Moines
"How to Inject Pep into Meetings"
Dr. Thos Brooks Fletcher, Marion, OH
"When a Man Gets a Vision"
Rotary Ann's attendance trophy won by the Des Moines Club.
Mileage attendance trophy won by the Des Moines Club.
Trophy for Club having the largest percentage of its members present at opening session Monday
morning, won by the Carroll Club, with 78 1/8%.
A Resolution was presented (and adopted) by the Rotary Club of Marshalltown, Iowa, urging the
Board of Directors of International Rotary to consider the establishment of a department of
singing to be presided over by a competent song leader.
From a history of Marshalltown Rotary Club by E. A. Francis:
The Rotary Club of Marshalltown was chartered in 1915 and was the first Rotary Club to be established in
a city of less than 25,000. Its charter number is 185.
In 1924, the 11th District of RI was composed of 55 clubs.
From the Fort Dodge Messenger and Chronicle, March 23, 1925:
CARDIFF GIANT IS VISITOR AT ROTARY MEETING
Prominent among the visitors at the Rotary convention is the Cardiff Giant. He lies in state in the lower
corridor at the Warden Building and while hundreds pass his coffin he remains indifferent to them all. But the
Rotarians and Rotary Anns even though there are many things calling them on every side they all do give at least a
glance. Many of them do not care to linger long but they look long enough so that when they go home they can say
"And we saw the Cardiff Giant".
1925-26
Governor:
Club:
Al Falkenhainer
Algona
Al Falkenhainer was a charter member and first president of
the Algona Rotary Club (chartered April 14, 1922).
From the Upper Des Moines-Republican , December 21, 1932,
upon the death of Al Falkenhainer (12-20-32):
Albert Falkenhainer was born in Guttenberg, Clayton county, March 22,
1875 and was in his 58th year. He was educated in high school and a private
college and entered the Ruete drug store in Dubuque while quite young. He later
Al Falkenhainer
was manager of the Henry drug store in Emmetsburg, coming from there to Algona
in 1895. For several years he and Wm. Ehlers owned and operated a pharmacy here.
In 1898 Mr. Falkenhainer built the first building in the town of Titonka, and opened up his drug store as the
first business place in the new town. He helped to organize the town government there and built the first telephone
exchange there. In 1909 Al organized the Druggists Mutual Insurance Company and moved to Algona. Since that
time all of his business energies have been devoted to this organization which under his guiding hand has grown to
be one of the model cooperative insurance companies of the country, covering fourteen states and with policies
covering hundreds of millions of dollars in property risks. This company, which was the sole creature of his brain
and wonderful talent for organization, was the pride of his business life and stands today as a model for all mutual
insurance concerns.
Mr. Falkenhainer's talent for organization has left its mark in Algona and neighboring states in many
enterprises that will stand for years as a monument to his ability in that line. He was one of the main factors in the
organization of the Northwestern Pharmaceutical Society and served as its first president, and afterwards as
secretary and treasurer. In Iowa he organized the State Pharmaceutical Association in 1910 and served as its first
president until 1914. He was chairman of the Kossuth County Red Cross and served as state chairman of the Red
Cross in 1918, during the World War, when the Red Cross was the most important institution in the United States.
Al organized Kossuth county in the campaign for paved roads in 1920 and was given credit for the success of that
campaign for issuing bonds. It was through Al's efforts and enterprise that the Algona Country Club was organized
in 1920 and he was made the first president. He was chairman of the Algona Diamond Jubilee in 1929, the greatest
celebration that Algona has known. He devoted almost a year to organizing this event which attracted state wide
interest. He organized the Titonka Savings Bank and served as its first president.
But perhaps he had more pride and affection for the Algona Rotary club than for all else. This club was
organized in 1922 through Al's efforts and he was honored by being made the first president. He was made district
governor of Rotary in 1925, and was a member of the International convention at Ostend, Belgium, in 1927, and
served on the committee of arrangements, making two trips to Europe to prepare for the great international
gathering.
...Al was perhaps the best known man in Algona. His insurance company with its wide field, and his
Rotary work gave him much more than a state wide acquaintance. There are few cities in Iowa and surrounding
states that did not know and like Al Falkenhainer. No public matters or institutions in this vicinity, but what have
received the helping hand of Al Falkenhainer. It may be truly said that with the death of Al Falkenhainer, Algona
has lost its foremost citizen, whose civic work was always done quietly with no thought or desire for reward other
than the betterment of the community. This community has indeed suffered a calamity in the death of Al
Falkenhainer.
From History of Kossuth County
Christmas Day of 1898, when the first train arrived in the town of Titonka over the newly laid tracks of the
Cedar Rapids, Garner and Northwestern Railway, a young pharmacist by the name of Al Falkenhainer was ready for
1925-26 Continued
business. He had built the first business building in the village, having started as soon as the townsite had been
surveyed two months before.
A little more than three years later, fire destroyed the drug store and several other establishments. Young
Falkenhainer rebuilt, but the fire made him more aware of a problem facing drug stores in those days---loss
adjustments were difficult and rates were excessive. Falkenhainer became active in the young Iowa Pharmaceutical
Association and acted as secretary for several years. He eventually secured applications for fire insurance from
eighty druggists in Iowa, all that were needed at that time to form an insurance company, and in October 1909 a
charter was granted to the Druggists Mutual Insurance Company of Iowa.
Falkenhainer had moved to Algona before the charter was granted and for the first several years, records of
the company were kept in the back room of his drug store, later the K. D. James drug store and now the Honsbruch
Pharmacy. About 1915, space was rented on the second floor of the old First National building. In 1921, the H. C.
Adams building at State and Moore Streets was purchased and in 1951 an addition was completed which more than
doubled the home office floor space.
The first policies were issued in 1909, and when renewed in 1910, there were sufficient funds to grant a
refund of 25% to policyholders. Premium savings in the form of a dividend have been returned to policyholders
every year since then, ranging from 15% to 40% over the years. The company provided almost every type of
insurance. Efforts are concentrated on the drug field. Insurance also is written for many physicians and dentists, but
the Company continues to confine its coverage to the health professions. The company was the first propertycasualty company domiciled in Iowa to be given an A-plus policy-holders rating, the best in the industry.
The founder Al Falkenhainer died suddenly in 1932.
From the Fort Dodge Messenger, March, 1925:
Al Falkenhainer was born at Guttenberg, and is not of Irish descent. The insurance business put Al in
Algona, and after he got there he proceeded to capitalize the 'Go' in Algona successfully. Al is the father of the
Country club, but is a rotten golf player at that!
Al is a great booster. He was instrumental in putting across the paved road project in Kossuth county, and
was for a number of years on the city council. Some of his friends tried to make him mayor at one time, but the
other fellow had the larger number of friends, and Al was left out.
Al is a good mixer, but you can't talk with him five minutes without his telling you about a new insurance
policy he is putting out. He has a splendid wife, a son, and a daughter, talented and accomplished young folks, and
the worst thing Al ever did to them is to give them that awful name!
RI President:
International Convention:
Donald A. Adams, New Haven, Conn., USA
1925 Cleveland, OH, USA
District Conference:
Des Moines
April 29-30, 1926
Registered attendance (60 Clubs):
From outside the Host City
741 Men
501 Women
1,242 Total
From the Host City
167 Men
167 Women
334 Total
Total Registered Attendance
908 Men
668 Women
1,576 Total
(Ed. note: The above attendance is the highest ever recorded for a Rotary district conference in
District 6000 and its precursors.)
1925-26 Continued
Notable Speakers:
Entertainment:
Hon. John Hammill, Governor of Iowa
Carl Faust, RI Director
"Trinity of Rotary"
Mrs. Tolman-East, Denver, Colorado
"Colorado Scenery"
Paul Rankin, Chicago, IL
"How to Break Down the District Governor"
College Band of Ames
Several instrumental soloists
The following resolution was adopted:
DISTRICT SECRETARY AND FUNDS
Providing for the establishment and maintenance of the office of Secretary to the Governor of the Eleventh District
of Rotary International, and for the establishment of a Council for the governor of said district.
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Eleventh District of Rotary International, assembled in conference at Des Moines,
Iowa, this 30th day of April, 1926, approves and adopts the following plan:
1To relieve the Governor of such administrative detail by establishing, to be permanently maintained, the
district office of Secretary to the District Governor.
2The expense of such office beyond the amount furnished by International Rotary for secretarial purposes, to
be defrayed by the district.
3The 50 cents per capita tax now going to the conference fund to be diverted to the Governor's fund and to
be applied to such extent as required in the secretarial expense.
4The secretary is to be appointed or to be dismissed by the District Governor, with the approval of the
Governor's Council, which council is to be established as hereinafter provided.
5A Governor's Council consisting of four Rotarians of the district, with the duty of assisting the Governor in
any possible way, but without direct power, to be chosen by the Governor, subject to the approval of the Presidents
and Secretaries in their annual conference with the Governor.
6One member of the board to be selected from each of the four general quarter areas of the district.
Preferably one Past Governor to be a member.
7A temporary Secretary and Council to serve from July 1, 1926, to October 1, 1926, shall be appointed by
the incoming Governor, and the term of office of the succeeding Secretary and Council to begin October 1, 1926.
8The compensation and general duties of the Secretary and any details of this general program not herein
provided for are to be determined by the Governor and the Governor's Council.
1926-27
Governor:
Club:
Bruce F. Gates
Waterloo
Bruce F. Gates served as President of the Waterloo Club in 192526. His classification was "Business College". He was born
on Jan. 26, 1893 at Fayette, IA, came to Waterloo in 1898 and joined
Bruce F. Gates
the Waterloo Rotary in 1915. Bruce is the son of Almon F. Gates who
was the first Secretary of the Waterloo Rotary Club. Almon was the founder of Gates Business
College and Bruce became President of this fine institution. He became nationally known for his
fine speaking ability, and was in demand for Rotary talks throughout the state of Iowa and some
of the adjoining states. He was recognized as a very convincing speaker and delivered
commencement addresses all over the Middle West. He was a member of the Chamber of
Commerce, Elks, and Masons.
RI President:
International Convention:
Harry H. Rogers, San Antonio, TX, USA
1926 Denver, CO, USA
District Conference:
Mason City
May 10-11, 1927
Registered attendance (62 Clubs):
From outside the Host City
From the Host City
Total Registered Attendance
274 Men
101 Women
375 Total
66 Men
66 Women
132 Total
340 Men
167 Women
507 Total
Comment from Governor Gates:
The attendance was smaller than usual due to a combination of
circumstances, the most prominent of which were that the Conference was held in a smaller town than usual which
was not well located geographically, the host club was small, and two severe rain storms just preceding the opening
of the conference made some of the roads practically impassible, which cut the attendance about 400.
Notable Speakers:
Tom Sutton, RI Director, Tampico, Mexico
"Rotary"
Roy Ronald, Governor 19th District, Mitchell, SD
"Is Rotary Worthwhile?"
Bill Beachler, Pastor Brethren Church, Dayton, Ohio
"If I Should Resign, Could I be Re-elected?"
1926-27 Continued
Notes from "Historical Review of the Waterloo Rotary Club", by Fred D. Adams:
In memoriam -- Bruce Gates -- District Governor's address at Waterloo Rotary Club -- September 13, 1926
"The founders of Rotary were wise men. They realized that, if we are to develop our ability, we must
express ourselves in words, in deed, in action, and in service.
You and I are emissaries from Rotary to our craft, charged with the responsibility of doing what we can to
raise and elevate the ethical standards of the conduct of business.
We must realize that service is the rent we pay for the space we occupy and that we have not paid our debt
until we are engaged in some worthwhile community service.
We come into Rotary not by our application but by the invitation. It is a real honor to be a Rotarian. But
no honor comes to any man without responsibilities, and, just as Rotary is a signal and a distinct honor, so it carries
with it certain very specific responsibilities.
Yes! Rotary is coming and not going! Yes, this is the glad, happy sunrise, the morning of Rotary's long
years of useful life and service."
1927-28
Governor:
Club:
Pearl K. McKee
Indianola
Pearl McKee was born in Indianola, Iowa, on February 17,
1874. He attended Simpson College (1891) and was married to
Nellie J. Bradshaw, on June 24, 1896.
His work history is as follows: 1891-95 employed by father
in shoe store, Indianola; 1898-90 partner in Park & McKee
Pearl K. McKee
Dry Goods Co, Indianola; 1901-08 employed by F S Burberry
Clothing Store, Indianola; 1908-12 owner & operator store, Indianola; 1916-29 in book &
stationery business; 1934 Clerk of District Court.
He was a member of the Presbyterian Church. His hobby was gardening.
RI President:
International Convention:
Arthur H. Sapp, Huntington, Indiana, USA
1927 Oostend, Belgium
District Conference:
Iowa City
April 24-25, 1928
Registered attendance:
From outside the Host City
From the Host City
Total Registered Attendance
Notable Speakers:
357 Men
121 Women
478 Total
69 Men
69 Women
138 Total
426 Men
190 Women
616 Total
Paul Harris, Founder of Rotary
Walter Jessup, President of the State University
Notes from the Fairfield Club 75th Anniversary book:
Paul Harris, founder of Rotary, was present at a meeting held November 25, 1927, in the Presbyterian
Church. He spoke upon "Cost and Result of Rotary". At the conclusion of the address he was presented with a
billfold, a gift from the club by Roy Louden.
(Roy Louden was President of the Fairfield club in 1929 and District Governor in 1931-32.)
1928-29
Governor:
Club:
Clyde L. Hulsizer
Des Moines
Clyde L. Hulsizer was President of the Des Moines Club in
1924-25. He was also President of Hulsizer, Inc., which was
engaged as manufacturers and importers of art flowers and foliages,
Clyde L. Hulsizer
show window and interior decorations. Clyde was born at Grinnell
on September 27, 1877, and was married July 27, 1905.
His prior work experience included: 1900-01 high school teacher and coach, Marengo;
1901-03 high school teacher and coach, East High School, Des Moines; 1903 coach, North High
School, Des Moines; 1905 coach, West High School, Des Moines.
RI President:
International Convention:
I. B. Tom Sutton, Tampico, Tamps., Mexico
1928 Minneapolis, MN, USA
District Conference:
Cedar Rapids
April 29-30, 1929
Registered attendance:
From outside the Host City
From the Host City
Total Registered Attendance
356 Men
134 Women
490 Total
88 Men
88 Women
176 Total
444 Men
222 Women
666 Total
Comment from Governor Hulsizer re District Governor Nominee:
Dr. Harry M. Gage of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, was nominated by Charles Rhinehart of Dallas Center. No other
names were presented and Dr. Gage was unanimously elected.
PLEASE NOTE -- Notwithstanding the fact that Dr. Gage had signified his willingness to accept the position, he has
since found it necessary to decline on account of pressure of other duties. It seems evident that he had not consulted
the trustees of Coe College before stating that he would accept this added responsibility. Arrangements have been
made for an election of District Governor at Dallas and at least one desirable candidate will be there, available and
prepared to stay over for the Governors Assembly, if elected.
Excerpts from a letter to Chesley R. Perry, Secretary of Rotary International, from Governor
Hulsizer:
I wrote you yesterday concerning the unfortunate situation in reference to Dr. Gage's declining to serve as
District Governor after having been elected. The solution of this situation has delayed my official report to you. As I
stated yesterday, the problem, we think, is satisfactorily solved now.
Aside from this very unfortunate feature, I think the Conference was a very successful one. The attendance
was small due to the poor roads, but there was a considerable amount of enthusiasm and reports
1928-29 Continued
coming to me indicate that those attending considered it a very successful Conference. It was a full two day
Conference and we held our audience to the last.
Wade Marr made an outstanding address and won the hearts of every one. Our Round Table Assemblies
were excellent and there was not a dull minute in any of them.
On the morning of the second day, we had a special event which consisted of a five-cornered, "no
decision" debate in which five speakers were given fifteen minutes each to prove that the committees they
represented were the most important to the proper functioning of a Rotary Club. This is a feature which I think was
outstandingly effective.
The final session consisted of a Boys Work program with splendid addresses by Major John L. Griffith and
Dr. Charles Barker.
One other feature which I think proved very interesting was the reunion breakfasts at which past executives
of the District assembled with the District Governor under whom they had served.
Note: Clyde Hulsizer served as a Director of RI in 1929-30.
Upon his death in 1938, his will provided more than $20,000 to the Des Moines Club's
Student Loan Fund.
1929-30
Governor:
Club:
Clarence Knutson
Clear Lake
Clarence A. Knutson, bank president, was born in Clear
Lake, Iowa, June 16, 1885. He was educated at Clear Lake high
school and Memorial University, Mason City. He was married to
Hazel Wood on June 2, 1907.
His work history is as follows: prior to 1909 with father
in Knutson Hardware Co, Clear Lake; 1919-34 after father's death
Clarence Knutson
owner & manager with brother Knutson Hardware Co, Clear Lake;
1934-39 president First National Bank, Clear Lake; 1939- President Clear Lake Bank & Trust
Co, Clear Lake.
He served 3 terms as a member of the House of Representatives from Cerro Gordo
County in the Iowa State Legislature, active in good roads legislation, a sponsor of 1st gasoline
tax laws in Iowa. He also served 2 terms as mayor. During World War I, he was the local food
administrator.
He was a past president and chairman of the board of Iowa Hardware Mutual Insurance
Company, Mason City; president of the Cerro Gordo County Bankers Association; member of
Iowa and American Bankers Associations; president of Iowa Retail Hardware Association, active
in several lodges; member of Gospel Tabernacle, Mason City.
RI President:
International Convention:
M. Eugene Newsom, Durham, North Carolina, USA
1929 Dallas, TX, USA
District Conference:
Marshalltown
May 5-6, 1930
Registered attendance:
From outside the Host City
From the Host City
Total Registered Attendance
484 Men
246 Women
730 Total
60 Men
56 Women
116 Total
544 Men
302 Women
846 Total
Note: One of the resolutions presented at the conference reads as follows:
In consideration of the wide-spread interest evoked in the constituent clubs of the Eleventh District of
Rotary International by the plan originated and carried into operation by our District Governor, Clarence
Knutson of Clear Lake, Iowa, by which each club establishes contacts with some one Rotary Club in
another country; and in view of the beneficial effects obtained by this plan in extending knowledge,
friendly interest and practical application of the ideals of the Sixth Object of Rotary, we hereby resolve:
1929-30 Continued
First:
That this plan be given the enthusiastic approval of the Eleventh District Convention
assembled.
Second:
That we commend the further development of this plan to our incoming District
Governor, for carrying out again this year with such adaptations as shall commend themselves to
him and shall result in the rotation of the countries to be studied by the individual Eleventh District Clubs.
Third:
That we commend this plan to all American Rotary Clubs as a practicable education
project related to the Sixth Object of Rotary.
Governor Clarence Knutson requested that no action be taken on this but that it be left as only a suggestion both to
the incoming Governor and to the 64 clubs in the District. Therefore it stands as a recommendation to the incoming
Governor but not adopted as definite legislation.
A note in the conference report states that Governor Knutson did not think it fair and proper to even attempt to
outline the work for the incoming District Governor.
1930-31
Governor:
Club:
Thomas W. Purcell
Hampton
Tom Purcell was a charter member of the Hampton Rotary
Club (1924) and club president in 1926-27. He was owner and
editor of the Hampton Chronicle Newspaper. He was the sponsor of
the Rotary Club of Clarion.
Tom was born in Anamosa, Iowa, on July 19, 1875. He
married Nellie Babcock, Ida Grove, on June 16, 1896.
His work history is as follows: during summers while
attending school, farmer, Jones County; 1890-92 employed by
Eureka Newspaper, Anamosa; 1892-93 employed in newspaper
office Sac City Sun; 1893-97 Ida Grove Era; 1897 - editor &
publisher Hampton Chronicle; 1905-14 postmaster, Hampton, at
that time youngest PM to ever hold that position; 1923- operator
of farm, Ida Co, raiser of purebred Brown Swiss cattle, also operator
Thomas W. Purcell
of retail dairy, Ida Grove.
He also served as president of the Board of Education, Hampton; past president IPA;
member Iowa State Printing Board; past president Commercial Club; past president Hampton
Country Club; delegate to National Editors Association convention, New Orleans 1910, after the
convention he visited the Panama Canal. He was active in several lodges.
RI President:
International Convention:
Almon E. Roth, Palo Alto, Calif.
1930 Chicago, IL, USA
District Conference:
Burlington
May 18-19, 1931
Registered attendance:
From outside the Host City
From the Host City
Total Registered Attendance
Notable Speakers:
326 Men
142 Women
468 Total
71 Men
62 Women
133 Total
397 Men
204 Women
601 Total
Claybrook Cottingham, Director of RI
Notes from the 50th Anniversary program book of the Hampton club - June 5, 1974:
The Hampton Rotary Club was chartered on May 6, 1924, when Carl Weeks, of Des Moines, was District
Governor of the then old 11th District. Rotary club promoters here did not find it easy to secure authority from
Rotary International to establish a club in Hampton, and on investigation by representatives of the head office
Hampton was turned down as a "town too small to support a Rotary Club". Few towns, if any, the size of
1930-31 Continued
Hampton were getting into Rotary at that time. Those big boys from the city did not realize that a small town might
do as well and spread the Rotary spirit as well, and perhaps better than some of the larger towns.
The next year Hampton tried it again, and this time they put it over and secured a charter, and from that
start was the beginning of the era when Rotary International discovered that a small town club had a place in Rotary,
and in fact that the members could get more out of Rotary than those in the larger clubs with an unduly large
membership. Small towns, when not too small, have been most important in the progress and growth of Rotary
International since that time.
It would take a long story, and a most interesting one, to tell about the organization of the club here,
because it was at a time when the Rotary spirit did not float around the town in unanimous fashion. There was some
friction up and down the street here at the time, but with the organization of this Rotary club began the growth of cooperation among many of those who had imagined that they were on the "outs" with many of their neighbors. The
golden rule took on new life in Hampton during that period, and we believe it is still here and growing!
Rotary in Hampton had the surprise of its young life on charter night, when the big dining room at the hotel
was packed with visiting Rotarians and their ladies, with over 300 present, and it was necessary to send seventy-five
persons to the local cafes for food.
1931-32
Governor:
Club:
Roy Louden
Fairfield
Roy Louden was born September 11, 1890, on a farm
southeast of Fairfield, Iowa. He graduated from Parsons College in
1913 and was active in college affairs since that time. He served
continuously on the Board of Trustees since 1926 and at various
times served on the executive committee of that body. He captained
the championship football team of 1911 and also excelled as a
baseball player during his collegiate years. He was a past president
of the Fairfield Chamber of Commerce; served as a member of the
board of trustees of the public library; was past president of the
Iowa State Ad Club; and was a member of the Elks Club, Country
Roy Louden
Club and the Christian Science Church.
Roy was an executive with the Louden Machinery Company of Fairfield, Iowa, an
outstanding manufacturer of under-running cranes and industrial monorail. He was a member of
the State Board of Education from 1939 to 1951, when he died of a heart attack at the age of 60.
Governor's message from conference program book:
What can a District Governor say about himself that perhaps you don't already know too well? For me it
has been a wonderful experience -- one that I shall always think of with exceedingly fond recollections as the years
come and go. Along with the good things that have come to us through this happy association we call Rotary have
been a few troubles and problems here and there, of course. But I like to think we have shared these together and
that now as we look back they were after all insignificant as compared to the good that was ours. Through it all you
were always most patient, hospitable, kind and co-operative. To meet you -- to know you and to work with you is a
real privilege that rarely comes to any individual and I am most grateful to you for your confidence which made this
privilege possible.
My good Rotary Ann, "Tonie" and my Junior Rotarian "Tommy" have shared with me the many joys and
pleasures of the year's work. Around the council table three times a day Rotary has been a chief topic. As I made
my official visits, they followed my routes and my schedules on the dotted map indicating Eleventh District Rotary
which hangs in our home. So from you -- from them -- from all, my support has been 100% and my inspiration in
like proportion.
My earnest hope and my sincere desire is that our paths may cross more often in the future than they have
during the past. And that as your travels take you through Fairfield you'll remember that the latch-string at the
Louden household is always out.
RI President:
International Convention:
Sydney W. Pascall, London, England
1931 Vienna, Austria
District Conference:
Davenport
May 10-12, 1932
Blackhawk Hotel
Rotary Needs You -- You Need Rotary
Tom Warren, Davenport
Conference theme:
Conference Chairman:
1931-32, Continued
Registered attendance:
From outside the Host City
258 Men
102 Women
360 Total
From the Host City
123 Men
85 Women
208 Total
Total Registered Attendance
381 Men
187 Women
568 Total
Registration fee:
$2.00 for each person.
Tickets for banquet at Masonic Temple and for the entire
evening's entertainment including Governor's Ball and
Mardi Gras on board the Steamer "JS", $1.50 each.
Joint meeting:
Joint meeting with Fortieth District on Thursday afternoon held
at the Arsenal, Rock Island
Rotary International Convention, Seattle, WA, June 20-24, 1932
"On-To-Seattle"
Special Pullmans carrying Eleventh District Rotarians will be hooked
on to an all-Rotary special for the trip across the continent. Seattle the wonder city of the great Northwest, awaits
our coming. Think what it will mean to Rotary for Rotarians from all parts of the world to travel enroute together.
Lifelong acquaintances will be made. Good fellowship will prevail throughout every minute of every day. No
better way could be found to further the six objects of Rotary. Railroad rates are low. The trip is the opportunity of
a lifetime to see the gorgeous scenic beauty of the Northwest -- to attend a great International Convention -- to enjoy
every minute. Plan to go.
Tuesday, May 10:
Golf. Davenport Country Club
Prizes -- District Championship Cup for best gross score -- this is the
cup that belongs to the District. Davenport club is offering a handicap cup and a runner-up handicap cup.
Baseball.
In the beautiful new stadium-- said to be the be illuminated
field in America for night playing. A splendid band; the Davenport team of the Mississippi Valley League vs. the
Gilkersen Giants of Chicago -- reduced admission to $.50. After the game -- informal get-together and entertainment
by Rotary's Merry-Makers, in the Blackhawk Hotel lobby.
Plenary sessions:
Welcomes:
Notable speakers:
Luncheons:
RKO Orpheum Theater
By the Presidents of local clubs of Kiwanis, Lions, Exchange,
and Gyros
Luis Machado, Director of Rotary International, Havana Cuba
"Rotary International"
Charles McGinnis, member Pontiac, IL, club
"The Passing of Rotary"
Dr. Allen D. Albert, Past President RI; Assistant to the
President, Century of Progress, Chicago World's Fair; Member
Chicago Club
"Rotary as an International Influence"
Presidents' and Secretaries -- tickets $.75
Gold Room, Blackhawk Hotel
For all outgoing and incoming Presidents and Secretaries of both
Fortieth and Eleventh Districts
Leader:
Philip Lovejoy, First Assistant Secretary, RI
1931-32, Continued
Luncheons, cont'd:
Song Leaders -- tickets $.75
Parlor K, Mezzanine Floor, Ft. Armstrong Hotel, Rock Island
For all song leaders of both Fortieth and Eleventh Districts. An opportunity to
get fresh ideas on this phase of Rotary which is so vital to the successful
functioning of every club.
Club Service Program:
Vocational Service:
Community Service:
International Service:
Governor's Banquet:
Thursday Breakfast:
Thursday Joint District
Meeting:
Leaders: John L. Hoff, Ottawa, IL; Tolbert MacRae, Ames, IA
Ladies
Davenport Outing Club
Program: Mrs. W. T. Waterman, Mezzo-Soprano, "Early
American Song Recital"
Bridge -- with many prizes
Masonic Temple, Rock Island
Peoples Light Auditorium, Davenport
Chairman: Paul I. Aldrich, Member Chicago Club; VicePresident and Editor, The National Provisioner, Chicago
Davenport Chamber of Commerce, Davenport
Chairman: Dr. Allen D. Albert, Past President RI
Ft. Armstrong Hotel Ballroom, Rock Island
Masonic Temple, Davenport
Entertainment: A Gypsy -- Indian Rhapsodie
Rural-Urban Acquaintance -- tickets $.60
Gold Room, Blackhawk Hotel
Boys' Work -- tickets $.60
Main Dining Room, Blackhawk Hotel
Rock Island Arsenal
Speaker: George W. Rossetter, President, Chicago Association
of Commerce
"Budget Or Bust - Expenditures Must Come Down or the
Government Will Go Up"
We urge you to attend this great meeting. You can drive home easily
after it is over at 3:30. Don't waste the entire afternoon leaving after lunch,
getting home early but too late to do anything. Besides ---- Here's an added
feature
Paul P. Harris -- Founder of Rotary
Silvester Schiele -- First President
Harry Ruggles -- First Treasurer
Bill Jensen -- First Secretary
and others of the Pioneer-Veteran (1905) members of the Rotary Club of
Chicago together with other honored guests will be present on the platform and
will be presented to the audience.
Surely no Eleventh District Rotarian ever had such an opportunity to
pay tribute to the men who conceived and made this great organization possible.
1931-32, Continued
Entertainment:
Musical Sketch -- The Sears Sisters
Boat trip on the steamer "JS" -- Governors' Ball -- both districts.
Dancing by all those who desire it -- music furnished by one of the
finest dance orchestras in the Quad Cities -- Tony's Iowans, a 12-piece band.
Entertainment will be brought to those who do not dance -- clowns will see that
all are properly equipped with caps, hats, noise-makers -- fun, plenty of it.
Wandering costumed piano-accordion players -- a ladies trio in Spanish
costumes singing to the tune of a Spanish guitar. Interpretative, acrobatic and
tap dancing -- a real, honest-to-goodness, Mardi Gras.
The program book contains a poem by noted poet Edgar A. Guest, who was also a Rotarian from
Detroit.
THE ROTARY SPIRIT
Red roses for the living, and handclasps warm
and true,
A heart that's tuned to giving, and strength
to dare and do;
The sound of honest laughter, the joy of
honest toil;
For those that follow after, to leave a finer
soil.
All this has been and ever will be the Rotary
plan,
A man's sincere endeavor to serve his
fellow man.
A little less self seeking, a little more for
men,
Less bitter in our speaking, more kindly with
the pen;
A little less of swerving from paths of truth
and right,
A little more of serving and less of dollar
might.
More peaceful with our neighbors, and stauncher
to our friends,
For this all Rotary labors, on this its hope
depends.
To smooth the way for others, to make of life
the most;
To make the phrase "our brothers" mean more
than idle boast;
To praise sincere endeavor, when praise will
spur it on,
Withholding kind words never until the friend
is gone;
This is the Rotary spirit, this is the Rotary
dream,
God grant that we may near it, before we
cross the stream.
1932-33
Governor:
Club:
Charles Rhinehart
Dallas Center
From the nomination statement in the 1932 district conference
report:
Charles Rhinehart is a very successful business man, executive head of
Rhinehart Farms, Inc., Dallas Center, Iowa. Has been an outstanding community
worker, member of the state legislature and prominent citizen of the State. A
charter member and first president of his home club. Always an ardent Rotarian
Charles Rhinehart
and tireless worker on Rotary affairs. Has all the qualifications for a splendid
administration and is in a position to devote all the time necessary for properly carrying out the work.
(From the 1925-26 Iowa Official Register)
Charles Rhinehart, Representative from Dallas County, was born in Dallas county, March 4, 1876; was
reared on a farm; graduated from Iowa State College, 1899; married to Frances B. Schamel, 1906. A member of the
Sons of the American Revolution, Sons of Veterans, Odd Fellows and Masonic lodges. A farmer by occupation and
republican in politics.
RI President:
International Convention:
Clinton P. Anderson, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
1932 Seattle, Washington, USA
District Conference:
Des Moines
May 18-19, 1933
Registered attendance:
From outside the Host City
292 Men
96 Women
388 Total
From the Host City
176 Men
150 Women
326 Total
Total Registered Attendance
468 Men
246 Women
714 Total
Notable Speakers
Hon. Clyde Herring, Governor of Iowa
John Nelson, RI President's Representative
Roy Ronald, Past RI Director
Ladies Entertainment:
In addition to luncheons, teas, and parties, the ladies were entertained at the
Fort Des Moines Army Post, arranged by Rotarian Colonel Charles E.
Stodter, at which time a polo game, horse show, and military maneuvers were
staged.
The following resolution was adopted at the conference:
WHEREAS, the peoples of the United States and the other nations of the world are today confronted with problems
of government and economics, national and international, upon the correct solution of which the future of
civilization depends, and
WHEREAS, many of these problems present questions of a highly controversial nature, and
WHEREAS, some question has arisen in the minds of some of the members of our organization as to the
1932-33 Continued
propriety of the presentation and open discussion of such problems in club meetings, and
WHEREAS, it is the sense of this Conference that since the members of Rotary are, or should be, leaders of thought
in their respective communities, and it is of the utmost importance that correct knowledge and information with
respect to these most important matters should be disseminated,
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that this Conference record itself in favor of the presentation and
discussion in club meetings of the perplexing problems now confronting our people and the other people of the
world, even though such problems do present controversial questions, in order that the members of our organization
and, through them, their communities may be better advised and better qualified to discuss and act with respect to
them; but that this be done without action by the clubs as organizations, upon any proposed plan or solution with
respect to such problems.
A District Assembly was held on August 1-2, 1932, at Ames, and a second Assembly on May
17, 1933, at Des Moines, on the day prior to the District Conference. Governor Rhinehart had the
following comments on the August Assembly Report:
The attendance was above normal in spite of the fact that at the last minute some executives were requested
to stay at home on account of banking difficulties.
While the atmosphere in the beginning was anything but optimistic on account of the economic conditions,
I think; but with Tolbert Mac Rae as song leader, George Godfrey, Arthur Brayton, and C. N. Bigelow, as
inspirational speakers, along with Clyde Hulsizer, Al Falkenhainer, Bruce Gates, Roy Louden, Pearl McKee,
Leonard Racker, Clarence Knutson, and Carl Weeks, who made principal presentations, the meeting soon resolved
itself into a serious consideration of the Agenda.
I changed the suggested program only slightly, substituting for the Exemplification of Club Assembly that
of the "Budget of R.I.". When Al Falkenhainer had finished with that subject no one had the intestinal fortitude
necessary even to inquire about what salary Ches Perry draws.
Despite the serious economic conditions of the time, trips to the International Convention in
Boston (June 26-30, 1933) were encouraged. Excerpts from the special brochures follow:
Official Transportation Arrangements
11th & 19th Rotary Districts
Nebraska -- Iowa -- South Dakota
via
The Milwaukee Road
Pennsylvania Lines
New York, New Haven & Hartford R.R.
Special arrangements have been made by the transportation committees of the 11th, 13th and 19th districts,
Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota and Wisconsin to travel together to the convention. A delightful itinerary has been
planned, including a half day at the World's Fair, Chicago, a day in Washington or New York and providing
sleeping cars from certain points in these districts, obviating necessity of transfer enroute. From points other than
those from which the special through sleepers will start, convenient arrangements can be made to join the party in
the Union Station, Chicago.
1932-33 Continued
Pullman Fares to Boston going via Washington and New York as per schedule -- advertised as
follows:
From Des Moines:
Lower
$15.13
Upper
$12.10
Compartment
$42.50
Drawing Room
$53.50
The Transportation Committee Chairman for the 11th Rotary District is listed as H. W. Warren,
501 Locust St., Des Moines, Iowa.
A Post-Convention cruise to Bermuda was also offered to Mid-West Rotary on the S.S. Queen of
Bermuda, leaving from New York on July 1, 1933. The cost for the five-day cruise is $60 and
up -- this includes room with private bath and all meals aboard ship. Another option is a nine-day
trip which allows five days in Bermuda at a cost of $102 and up -- depending upon the steamer
accommodations desired. This includes steamer accommodations with private bath and all meals
onboard ship, also double room for two with bath at the famous St. George Hotel and all meals
while in Bermuda.
1933-34
Governor:
Club:
Gerald W. Hunt
Guttenberg
Gerald W. Hunt, attorney and publisher, was born in
Riverside, California on June 19, 1891. He attended Wheaton
College where he received a BA degree in 1912. He married
Margaret Sherwood of Sioux City, Iowa, on October 8, 1914.
His work history is as follows: 1913-14 history and science
instructor, Guttenberg; 1914-16 Superintendent of Schools,
Guttenberg, 1916-21 Postville; 1921 admitted to Iowa State Bar;
1921- practiced law, Guttenberg, owner Guttenberg Press, operated
a farm in Clayton County, city attorney; 1925-29 Clayton County
Attorney.
He also served as VP Clayton County State bank; director
Gerald W. Hunt
Enderes & Co.; past member of the Board of Education, Guttenberg.
During World War I, he served overseas in the 82nd division headquarters company. He was the
first president of Iowa State Society for Crippled Children. He was active in several lodges and
in the American Legion.
RI President:
International Convention:
John Nelson, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
1933 Boston, MA, USA
District Conference:
Dubuque
April 30, May 1, 1934
Julien Dubuque Hotel
Registered attendance:
From outside the Host City
From the Host City
Total Registered Attendance
Conference Chairman:
Notable Speakers:
277 Men
114 Women
391 Total
97 Men
93 Women
190 Total
374 Men
207 Women
581 Total
Dale D. Welch
Ernest W. Dunbar, RI Director
A District Assembly was held in conjunction with the District Conference. Governor Hunt had
the following comment on its effectiveness:
Not successful - conference overshadowed assembly. The assembly sessions of Sunday evening and
Monday afternoon were hardly adequate to the needs of the officers elect. This was partly due to the fact that the
Sunday evening session was attended by so many Rotarians who were not officers elect that the program had to be
more general in character.
1934-35
Governor:
Club:
William P. Bair
Des Moines
Attorney, Patent Law Practice. Bill was born the 18th of
December, 1881, at Rutland, Iowa. He lived in Nebraska until
1891, was in Chicago from 1891 to 1892, and in Fremont and
Des Moines in 1899. Admitted to the bar in 1908 and married in 1909.
President of the Des Moines Rotary Club in 1926-27.
RI President:
International Convention:
Robert E. Lee Hill, Columbia, MO, USA
1934 Detroit, MI, USA
District Conference:
Ottumwa
William P. Bair
May 5-7, 1935
Registered attendance:
From outside the Host City
From the Host City
Total Registered Attendance
246 Men
107 Women
353 Total
84 Men
74 Women
158 Total
330 Men
181 Women
511 Total
Courtesy resolutions thanked the host club, Ottumwa, the Boy Scouts of Ottumwa, the Ottumwa
Elks Club, Kiwanis Club, officials of John Morrell & Company, Ottumwa Free Press, Ottumwa
Courier, Chamber of Commerce, and City Officials of Ottumwa.
A paper authored by the International Service Committee of the Des Moines Rotary Club was
presented at the conference as follows:
A Definite World Peace Program for Rotary International
Many far-sighted observers, and even Sinclair Lewis, who once lampooned Rotary, have said that Rotary
International holds the best possibility of any agency for building up a substantial world peace.
This conclusion is well-founded for this reason: Political governments ("political" is used herein in its broadest
sense, meaning representatives of the state as such) have been handicapped in peace efforts because of a pulling and
hauling of innumerable special interests, the result being that the populations of the respective countries have been
kept largely in the dark and have therefore resorted to the natural process of permitting their inborn prejudices to
influence their actions.
Despite the fact that it is often said that wars are made by politicians, it is obvious almost every day that the war
spirit is kept alive by populations and if deprived of popular prejudices the various political governments would
experience far more difficulty in maintaining war establishments and the war spirit.
1934-35 Continued
The value of such lay or citizens' organizations as Rotary lies in the fact that they are entirely independent of the
ancient grooves of diplomatic interchange and are in direct contact with citizens of the respective nations.
The valuable function which Rotary may perform is illustrated by Mr. von Scheven of Baden-Baden, Germany, who
has been addressing Rotary clubs in the United States under the auspices of Rotary International. He says that in
Germany and France the sixth object is uppermost and tremendous advances toward maintenance of peaceful
relationships between France and Germany have been made because of the free interchange of speakers between the
clubs of Germany and France and visits back and forth.
The process whereby Rotary International may become a powerful and effective agency for world peace is
suggested by the statements of Mr. von Scheven, to which method some additional details might be profitably
added.
Formal and political means, such as disarmament, treaties, and covenants, probably always will have their part but
will never be fully effective without a broad, solid substructure of friendship, knowledge of other nation's problems,
interchange of ideas, and the realization that wars are becoming more and more economic and therefore must be
prevented by work among economic elements of society.
There is a natural reluctance in Rotary to infringe on political activities which thus far have been predominant in
world peace efforts.
The method that is herewith suggested to be adopted by Rotary International therefore proposes to avoid entirely the
political phases of world peace -- to go behind the military, diplomatic, and governmental lines, so to speak, and
work among the civil elements in the various nations, thus supplementing all sincere and wise governmental
measures for peace. By this avoidance there can be no possible criticism as to participation in politics -- either in the
partisan sense or world sense. The activities that are suggested or implied would be such as could merit only the
approbation of the various governments.
Physical armament is a result rather than a cause of the underlying war spirit. The great need is to bring about
mental disarmament among the populations of the principal nations of the world, especially those in which Rotary
clubs are found.
This is a thoroughly logical and reasonable proposition, inasmuch as friendship is the corner-stone of Rotary, and
this means friendship between individuals, friendship between clubs, friendship between districts, and finally
friendship between Rotarians of various nations of the world. "The little leaven leaveneth the whole lump". Rotary
International by promoting friendship and mutual education and free interchange of ideas can be the leaven to
produce a comprehensive and intelligent peace spirit among the nations to take the place of the war spirit which
exists here and there.
The following method is suggested after careful consideration by the International Service Committee of the Des
Moines Rotary Club, with the approval of a special committee on Rotary International convention technique and the
Board of Directors of the Des Moines Rotary Club:
1. It is suggested that Rotary International create a distinct division of each international convention to be known as
the Citizens' Peace Section or some other suitably descriptive name. The method of representation, of course, would
be determined by the Board of Directors of Rotary International or by suitable legislative action.
1934-35 Continued
The duty of this section would be to confine their discussions to means of furthering world peace by various means,
including:
(a) Maintaining speakers' bureaus to send out capable and broadminded speakers who would present international
points of view, not merely concerning nationalistic objectives, but concerning history, cultural backgrounds,
economic objectives, etc. These speakers could work in their own or other countries, preferably the latter, appearing
before Rotary clubs.
(b) Encouraging all forms of exchange professorships, international students' exchange, etc.
(c) Encouraging all forms of exchanging young business men, so that a junior executive in a Dutch furniture
factory, for instance, might be temporarily exchanged for a man in similar position in a Brazilian factory.
(d) Introducing a greater measure of international culture in the schools of the various nations.
2. The findings and reports of this section should be presented on the third day of each annual international
convention for the benefit of the entire convention.
3. The ultimate object of this program would be a broad program of education toward international friendship. In
using the word "education" the narrow academic sense is not intended, but rather the broadest sense which includes
the idea, for instance, of an American business or professional man becoming better acquainted with the viewpoint
of the German or French business or professional man. It would include dissemination of knowledge of international
business and economic factors which are known to have a highly important influence for or against possible wars. It
would include reciprocal knowledge of cultures, religious, historical backgrounds, and national aspirations.
Ultimately, although this objective would not be placed in the beginnings of the movement, it might well include the
education of children in the schools toward a broader and more charitable outlook toward other nations.
For these reasons it would be appropriate to point ultimately toward some form of educational institute for education
in the broad sense hereinbefore mentioned. In such an institute young men and women would be brought from all
nations where Rotary exists and trained in the international atmosphere, be made familiar with comparative
religious, nationalistic aspirations, and similar subjects. These young men and women going back to their respective
nations would produce a result comparable and similar to that mentioned among Rotarians. The results of their
education would filter into business, the professions, the universities, colleges, and common schools, many of them
becoming business or professional men, teachers, ministers, editors, writers, etc.
It would be thoroughly understood that this sort of inter-nationalistic teaching would not take the sometimes
offensive form of minimizing patriotism or loyalty to one's own country. It should be well realized that loyalty to
one's own country does not imply antagonism to, or ignorance of, another country's affairs.
Back of all these ideas is the stubborn fact that nations will not become disarmed until they are mentally disarmed. If
deprived of the modern means of warfare they would fight with clubs ar arrows or spears, as long as they are
governed by prejudices, fears, hates, and ignorance.
Pertinent to one phase of this proposal is the growing institution known as the World Federation of Educational
Associations, which was promoted thru the National Education Association of the United States and soon took form.
This now includes representatives of 43 nations. It is probable that the 1936 or 1937 convention of this organization
will be held in the United States.
1934-35 Continued
Summary:
It is fully realized that great contributions toward world peace have been made by
Rotary International in many ways. The time is now ripe for a definite program
of action. It is felt that there is nothing fantastic or visionary in the foregoing
program. Innumerable speeches by eminent men in Rotary and the international
conventions, district conferences, and club meetings have laid the foundation for
such a program of definite action, which, in brief, is this:
Increasing sympathy and understanding among the leading business and professional men of the 70 or so nations in
which Rotary is found.
Providing educational speeches and other means whereby the memberships of world Rotary may become better
acquainted with the cultures, traditions, and economic conditions of other nations.
Ultimately aiming toward educating the children of the world away from war and toward a more intelligent and
genuine desire for peace.
Des Moines, Iowa, March 7, 1935.
A handwritten note by Governor Bair states: Not adopted by the D.M. Rotary Club but
transmitted to R.I. International Service Committee as suggestion.
1935-36
Governor:
Club:
Willis C. Edson
Storm Lake
Willis Charles Edson, an attorney, was born in Wilton,
Illinois, on September 25, 1874. He was educated in the rural
schools, attended Buena Vista College, and received a BSc degree
from Iowa State College in 1898. He was a member of the varsity
football team in 1897-1898. He received an LLB degree in 1901
Willis C. Edson
from the University of Iowa where he also was a member of the
varsity football team in 1899-1900, and was named all conference halfback. He was a member
of Phi Delta Phi. Mr. Edson married Ethelyn Bailie of Storm Lake, Iowa, on November 30,
1911.
His work history is as follows:
Rural school teacher in Calhoun & Sac counties for 2 years
1902 practiced law, Storm Lake
1908-12 Buena Vista County Attorney
1919-1927 member of Iowa State Legislature
1925 speaker of house
1936 nominated as Republican candidate for Lt. Governor
He has also served as trustee Buena Vista College (1904), chairman of the board since
1920; city attorney several years; past mayor; land owner & supervisor; member of Iowa State
Bar Association. He has been active in the country club and several lodges. His hobby is
operating the old home farm.
RI President:
International Convention:
Ed. R. Johnson, Roanoke, Virginia
1935 Mexico City, Mexico
District Conference:
Fort Dodge
May 3-5, 1936
Registered attendance:
From outside the Host City
From the Host City
Total Registered Attendance
Notable Speakers:
Entertainment:
388 Men
157 Women
545 Total
46 Men
40 Women
86 Total
434 Men
197 Women
631 Total
George C. Hager, RI President's Representative
"Rotary Around the World"
David A. Goldstein
Buena Vista College Choir
Students from State School For the Blind
1935-36 Continued
A District Assembly was held at Independence, Iowa, on July 29-30, 1935, with 61 in
attendance. Governor Edson had the following comments:
The attendance was not good. The heat was terrible. Quite a number reported serious illness as a cause of not
attending. These assemblies were not held for the past two years in Iowa is another reason. I did all I could to get
them. Many said it was the best assembly that they ever attended.
A highlight of the Assembly was the address by W.H.D. Lester of the Bureau of Investigation, Washington, D.C. As
a part of our Youth Service program, I was of the opinion that a practical lesson that "Crime Does Not Pay" would
be worth while. Mr. Lester's account of the work of the Bureau and of the remarkable instances of detection of crime
so impressed the delegates that many of them are asking to have him come to their communities where this talk can
be given before an assembly of high school and college young people. We are trying to stress high ideals of
citizenship and obedience to law in the eleventh district Rotary program.
1936-37
Governor:
Club:
Albert C. Fuller
Cedar Falls
Albert C. Fuller was born in Wright County, Iowa, on May
16, 1877. He attended Iowa State Teachers College (1899) and
received a BA degree from the University of Iowa in 1911. He
served as the business manager for the 1st concert tour of the
university orchestra & glee clubs. He also attended Chicago
University and received an honorary LLD from Buena Vista
College in 1936. He was a Phi Delta Kappa.
His work history is as follows:
1899-1903 superintendent of schools, Manning, 1903-04 Sidney,
1904-09 Storm Lake, 1909-13 Washington; 1913-17 first state
inspector of public schools, Dept. of Public Instruction; 1917-18
Albert C. Fuller
instructor in Dept. of Rural Education; 1918-23 member extension
division, 1923-24 associate director of extension division, 1934- director of Bureau of Alumni
Service & Public School Relations; 1st state director of emergency educational progress, now
NYA; established consultant school service; 1918-34 director in branch summer school; last
director of alumni service in ISTC; 1924- chairman of campanile commission, erected first
memorial structure on campus; member Cedar Falls River Front Commission; American
Economists League; American Association of School Administrators; NEA; ISTA, past director,
past president of northeast Iowa division, member legislative commission 5 years; Iowa Society
of Crippled Children, director & VP; C of C; State Historical Society, since 1925; active in
masonic lodges; Presbyterian Church, chairman board of trustees.
Hobbies: Photography, fishing.
RI President:
International Convention:
Will R. Manier, Jr., Nashville, Tennessee
1936 Atlantic City, NJ, USA
District Conference:
Cedar Rapids
Roosevelt Hotel
Joe A. Lattner
Conference Chairman:
April 25-27, 1937
Registered attendance (65 clubs):
From outside the Host City
From the Host City
Total Registered Attendance
Registration Fee:
624 Men
234 Women
858 Total
97 Men
95 Women
192 Total
721 Men
329 Women
1,050 Total
$4.00 for Men; Ladies $2.50
1936-37 Continued
Meeting Places:
Sunday evening
Monday morning
Monday afternoon
Monday afternoon
Roosevelt Hotel
State Theater
Group Luncheon - Roosevelt Hotel
Ladies - Cedar Rapids Country Club
Style show
Monday evening
Banquet - Play - Ball, The Pla-Mor
Tuesday morning
State Theater
Tuesday noon
Roosevelt Hotel
"Scotty" views the news by "Scotty" of Radio Station WMT
Golf:
Sunday & Monday afternoon only - Cedar Rapids Country Club
Notable Speakers:
Arthur H. Sapp, Past President of Rotary International
"Rotary International"
"Rotary Clubs and Rotary International"
Edward F. Flynn, Assist. General Counsel Great Northern R.R
"Shores of Opportunity"
Robert L. Hill, Past President of Rotary International
"What's Ahead in Rotary"
Rabbi Louis Binstock, Temple Sholom, Chicago
"Troubled Youth in a World of Turmoil"
Religious Brotherhood Team - Representing the National
Conference of Jews and Christians
Willard L. Johnson, Dean of Men, Drake University
Stoddard Lane, Pastor Plymouth Congregational Church,
Des Moines
Father Robert Walsh, Dowling College, Des Moines
Rabbi Eugene Mannheimer, Temple B'Nai Jeshurun,
Des Moines
"Making America Safe for Religious Differences"
Entertainment:
Melodrama, "The Drunkard" by the Cedar Rapids Players
An Encore to "The Drunkard" -- The Cherry Sisters
Roger Graham Orchestra
Students:
Eight foreign students described as "Our Unofficial
Ambassadors" gave brief presentations at the conference
Students in District:
Iowa State College, Ames
31
State University of Iowa, Iowa City
27
Coe College, Cedar Rapids
2
1936-37 Continued
From the Rotary Club of Davenport Weekly Letter of April 30, 1937:
100% Rotary instruction and inspiration was the good fortune of the 29 Rotarians and 14 Rotaryannes who
were in attendance at one of the best District Conferences. The program was outstanding. The entertainment and
hospitality exceptional. Much credit and many thanks are due Governor Fuller and the Cedar Rapids Club.
Once again Davenport's team work clicked. By a two-to-one majority, Bill Brandon is Governor-Elect of
the Eleventh District -- thanks to our many friends.
The total registration was 1,056 -- an unusually large number -- an excellent conference -- and a happy
Davenport delegation.
Note: A District Assembly was held in Marshalltown, Iowa, on July 20, 1936, with 115 in
attendance.
1937-38
Governor:
Club:
William M. Brandon
Davenport
Bill Brandon was born in Hampton, Iowa, November 23,
1892. He lived in Des Moines before coming to Davenport in 1928
as cashier of the former First National Bank. He was active in
community affairs; was a past potentate of Kaaba Temple Shriners
(1945); and was Vice-President of the Central Broadcasting Co.,
and comptroller of the Palmer School of Chiropractic.
RI President:
International Convention:
Maurice Duperrey, Paris, France
1937 Nice, France
District Conference:
Waterloo
May 8-10, 1938
Russell-Lamson Hotel
William M. Brandon
Registered attendance (81 clubs):
From outside the Host City
290 Men
180 Women
470 Total
From the Host City
152 Men
150 Women
302 Total
Total Registered Attendance
442 Men
330 Women
772 Total
Conference Chairman:
Registration Fee:
Ladies Program:
Jack M. Logan
Men $4.00; Ladies $2.50
Style Show
Ottumwa Rotary Chorus
Reading by Leone Short Jackson, Cedar Falls: Review of
George Kaufman and Moss Hart's play, "I'd Rather Be Right"
Plenary Sessions:
Paramount Theater
Governor's Banquet:
Tavern-on-the-Green
Notable Speakers:
Percy B. Scurrah, RI Director, Victoria, B.C., Canada
"Rotary Accomplishments and Where Are We Going"
Judge Karl Miller, Dodge City, Kansas
Wiley Rutledge, Dean of Law, University of Iowa
Dr. R. H. Porter, Advisor to Foreign Students, formerly
Agricultural Missionary to China
"America As Seen by An American in China and Through
the Eyes of Overseas Students"
Dr. Earl Enyeart Harper, President Simpson College
"The Worthwhile Things in Life"
1937-38, Continued
Golf:
Plant Tours:
Entertainment:
Sunday & Monday afternoons - Sunnyside Country Club
Rath Packing and John Deere Tractor plants
The Y's Men's Glee Club
The Phiomel Glee Club from West High School
String Ensemble from East High School
The Songfellows, who are considered one of the outstanding male
quartets in America
A Girls' Trio featured on WHO and known as "The Three Little
Girls Who Love To Sing"
Bobby Clark, The Boy Wonder Ventriloquist
Frink and Hammon, King of the Banjo and Queen of the
Accordion
Wade and Wade, America's Foremost Equilibrists, which is a
very unique acrobatic and iron jaw act
Six Dancing Debutantes
Court Hussey's Orchestra
From the Rotary Club of Davenport Weekly Letter of April 22, 1938:
WATERLOO CONFERENCE -- Have you told Carl Stutz that U and Mrs. U are going? Members'
registration fees "on the club". Percy B. Scurrah of Victoria, BC, Canada, a Director of Rotary International, is one
of the headliners.
From the Rotary Club of Davenport Weekly Letter of May 28, 1945:
IN MEMORY OF WILLIAM M. BRANDON
"He truly exemplified the principles of Rotary to a high degree and lived up to our motto, "Service Above
Self".
He took an active part in every worthwhile movement while a citizen of Davenport. He was active in the
Chamber of Commerce, the YMCA, served on the School Board, an active worker in Masonic work, and a cheerful
and tireless worker in his church.
He will be missed by the entire community and it was a honor to have associated with as fine a fellow as
Bill Brandon.
His influence will long be felt in our Rotary Club and he will be missed by each one of us"
(Taken from remarks by Kirk Hills at last Monday's meeting)
Excerpts from a newspaper obituary -- May 18, 1945:
Mr. Brandon had been in poor health for several years. He died suddenly of a heart attack at the YMCA.
He was 52 years old. The funeral services were attended by almost 1,000, many Davenport business and civic
leaders being present as well a number of business associates and friends from out of the city .
1937-38 Continued
Note: Bill Brandon was the first Governor of the newly formed District 132. The number of
clubs in the District jumped from 65 to 81 in the reorganization. As might be expected, a
resolution was adopted at the District Conference appointing a committee to conduct a survey to
determine (1) The best methods of administration and, (2) Redistricting.
MAP OF 132nd DISTRICT
ROTARY INTERNATIONAL
1938-39
Governor:
Club:
P. K. Wright
Iowa Falls
Paul K. Wright, was born in Waverly, Illinois, on Apr 10,
1891. He married Grace Tucker of Courtland, KS, on June 25,
1916.
His work history is as follows: 1909-12 Santa Fe RR,
Courtland, KS; 1912-17 salesman for Swift & Co, Kansas
Territory, later northern Missouri; 1917-18 traveling representative
for American Thread Company, Wichita, KS, 1918-26 northern half
of Iowa; 1926- in investment & securities business representing
McGraw & Co of Chicago, also Thompson Davis & Phipps Co
of Chicago, Iowa Falls.
P. K. Wright
He also served 6 years as a school board member; member
Iowa State Fair & Exposition Board from 3rd district, supervisor of agriculture & horticulture
buildings. He was active in several lodges and his hobbies were golf and sports.
RI President:
International Convention:
George C. Hager, Chicago, Illinois
1938 San Francisco, California
District Conference:
Des Moines May 7-9, 1939
Hotel Fort Des Moines
Charles T. Cownie
Conference Chairman:
Registered attendance (81 clubs):
From outside the Host City
370 Men
191 Women
561 Total
From the Host City
186 Men
173 Women
359 Total
Total Registered Attendance
556 Men
364 Women
920 Total
Note: The 81 clubs in the district reported a total of 3,295 members.
Transportation:
All automobiles carrying Rotary insignias are for your pleasure and convenience. Do not hesitate to hop in and tell the driver where you want to go.
Notable Speakers:
Clinton P. Anderson, Past President of Rotary International
"Can Rotary Continue as Rotary International"
Dr. Eduard Benes, former President of Czecho-Slovakia
now visiting professor at Chicago University
"The Crisis In Europe"
Hon. George A. Wilson, Governor of Iowa
Hon. Mark Conkling, Mayor of Des Moines
1938-39 Continued
Notable Speakers, Cont'd.
Ladies Luncheon:
Dr. Amos O. Squire, Past Director of RI, Ossinging, NY
"Youth and Rotary"
Robert F. Phillips, Past Director of RI, Asheville, NC
"Rotary in Today's World"
"Education of New Members"
Wakonda Country Club, flower show, cards & golf
Note: The District Administration and Re-districting Committee, appointed in the previous year,
gave their recommendations at this Conference. The Conference adopted what could be
considered to be the first Manual of Procedure for this district. In the words of the committee,
"...your committee has attempted to outline and clarify conference resolutions, customs and
traditions; to review, restate and make applicable to the present needs of the District all these
matters". The committee consisted of Governor Wright and Past District Governors Roy Louden,
Clyde Hulsizer, William Brandon, and A. C. Fuller.
The Conference also appointed Governor P. K. Wright as the district's representative to the
Council of Legislation of the Rotary International Convention to be held at Cleveland.
1939-40
Governor:
Club:
G. B. Price
Leon
G. B. Price was President of the Rotary Club of Leon in
1935-36. He was the proprietor of a men's clothing store. County
records show that he died on April 14, 1944.
RI President:
International Convention:
Walter D. Head, Teaneck, NJ, USA
1939 Cleveland, OH, USA
District Conference:
Davenport
Hotel Blackhawk
Ralph Evans
G. B. Price
Conference Chair:
April 21-23, 1940
Registered attendance:
From outside the Host City
198 Men
89 Women
287 Total
From the Host City
119 Men
78 Women
197 Total
Total Registered Attendance
317 Men
167 Women
484 Total
Notable speakers:
Paul P. Harris, Founder & President Emeritus of Rotary Int'l.
(Note: Paul P. Harris is prominently featured in advance promotion for this
conference and is listed in the program book as the noon luncheon speaker on
April 22, however, the Governor's Official Conference Report does not mention
him. Instead, the report lists an address by Philip C. Lovejoy, General Secretary
of RI (1942-52), "Streamlining the Pronouns")
Pianist:
Conference Sessions:
Rotary Anns Program:
Lloyd C. Stark, Governor of Missouri
"The Problem of Interstate Trade Barriers"
Frank C. Barnes, PDG, Manistee, Mich.
Special Representative of RI
"The Romance of Rotary"
Earl E. Harper, Director, College of Fine Arts, Univ. of Iowa
"What Chance Has Rotary in Shaping World Opinion"
A. Marcus Tollet, Governor RI D-69, Finland
"Rotary in Finland"
Robert Bawden, Davenport
Capitol Theatre
The Outing Club
1939-40 Continued
Governor's Banquet:
Entertainment:
Masonic Temple
Jimmie O'Dette & His Orchestra
Note: Four separate District Assemblies were held by Governor Price:
August 1, 1939
August 2, 1939
August 3, 1939
August 4, 1939
Humboldt
Waverly
Iowa City
Indianola
American Legion Building
Waverly Theater and Fortner Hotel
Old Capitol
Burkey Club Rooms
1940-41
Governor:
Club:
Lester A. Royal
West Liberty
Les Royal was born at Coventry, Connecticut in 1884.
Public school education at Mt. Pleasant, Michigan. Medical school,
1906 at the University of Iowa. A country doctor, Les has served
his community steadily since 1907. His devotion to that service and
the caliber of his professional work have won him national
recognition. His professional record: President, Iowa Homeopathic
Medical Society; Vice President, American Institute of
Homeopathy and of the Pan-American Homeopathic Congress;
Member, Iowa Committee for the Gorgas Memorial Institute of
Tropical and Preventative Medicine; Fellow of the American
Medical Association; President, Phi Alpha Gamma, national
medical fraternity. His community record: President of the West
Liberty Chamber of Commerce. Church leader, teaching a class of
young married couples. Boy Scouts Commissioner of the
Lester A. Royal
Buffalo Bill Area.
Guardian and advisor for many paroled boys. His Rotary Record:
Headed the organization of his own club in 1924. Served as the first President. Secretary of the
club since 1926. Attending every District Conference and Assembly since 1924. Delegate to
seven conventions of R.I. Member of the Advisory Councils for four District Governors.
RI President:
International Convention:
Armando de Arruda Pereira, Sao Paulo, Brazil
1940 Havana, Cuba
District Conference
Mason City May 18-20, 1941
Hotel Hanford
Millard Lawson
Conference Chairman:
Registered attendance:
From outside the Host City
From the Host City
Total Registered Attendance
Plenary Sessions:
Governor's Banquet
442 Men
299 Women
741 Total
69 Men
59 Women
128 Total
511 Men
358 Women
869 Total
Cecil Theatre
Roosevelt School Field House
1940-41 Continued
Notable Speakers:
Entertainment:
Armando de Arruda Pereira, President of Rotary International
Edward M. Conant, Past Governor, D-117, Minneapolis, MN
"Where Do We Go From Here"
John O. Knutson, PDG, Sioux City, to honor clubs in D-132
organized 25 years ago
Samuel N. Stevens, President of Grinnell College
"The Meaning of Freedom"
Karl Miller, Dodge City, Kansas, Special Representative of RI
"Rotary Unlimited"
"Candid Shots"
Carl Weeks, PDG, Des Moines
"Discussion of Rotary International Resolutions"
Wm. W. Martin, Governor, 135th District, St. Louis, MO
"How to Get the Most Out of Living"
W. N. (Bill) Brown, Chairman of the Regional Speaker's Bureau,
Minneapolis, MN
"Builders of Men"
A visit to the Italian Gardens at the home of B. C. Way
Band Concert
Note: The following resolution was adopted by the Conference:
WHEREAS, the present Governor of our District is a candidate for Director of Rotary International from
Zone 11,
BE IT RESOLVED, that the delegates to the 1941 Conference of the 132nd District endorse the candidacy
of Governor Royal for Director from the 2nd Zone of Rotary International, U.S.A. They point to his tireless
energy in handling the affairs of the largest district in Rotary, to his through understanding of all phases of
Rotary, local, national, and international, to his ability to think and plan correctly and execute promptly and
decisively. In troubled times such as these, the presence of Les Royal on the Board of Directors of Rotary
International will be an influence for steady progress. Therefore we pledge him our loyalty and support,
individually and collectively, to secure his nomination at the forthcoming international convention at
Denver.
Despite the endorsement of the district, Governor Royal did not become a Director of RI.
Four District Assemblies were held in 1940:
July 29, 1940
July 30, 1940
July 31, 1940
August 1, 1940
Oelwein
Fort Dodge
Chariton
Wellman
Hotel Mealey
Wahkonsa Hotel
Chariton Country Club
Wellman High School
1940-41 Continued
The conference program book contains a copy of "Rotary Code of Ethics":
Rotary Code of Ethics
For All Business Men
My business standards shall have in them a note of sympathy for our common humanity. My business
dealings, ambitions and relations shall always cause me to take into consideration my highest duties as a member of
society. In every position in business life, in every responsibility that comes before me, my chief thought shall be to
fill that responsibility and discharge that duty so when I have ended each of them, I shall have lifted the level of
human ideals and achievements a little higher than I found it. In view of this, it is my duty as a Rotarian -FIRST: To consider my vocation worthy, and as affording me distinct opportunity to serve society.
SECOND:
To improve myself, increase my efficiency and enlarge my service, and by so doing attest my faith
in the fundamental principle of Rotary, that he profits most who serves best.
THIRD: To realize that I am a business man and ambitious to succeed; but that I am first an ethical man, and wish
no success that is not founded on the highest justice and morality.
FOURTH:
To hold that the exchange of my goods, my service and my ideas for profit is legitimate and
ethical, provided that all parties in the exchange are benefitted thereby.
FIFTH: To use my best endeavors to elevate the standards of the vocation in which I am engaged, and so to conduct
my affairs that others in my vocation may find it wise, profitable and conductive to happiness to emulate my
example.
SIXTH: To conduct my business in such a manner that I may give a perfect service equal to or better than my
competitor, and when in doubt to give added service beyond the strict measure of debt or obligation.
SEVENTH:
To understand that one of the greatest assets of a profession or of a business man is his friends and
that any advantage gained by reason of friendship is eminently ethical and proper.
EIGHTH:
To hold that true friends demand nothing of one another and that any abuse of the confidence of
friendship for profit is foreign to the spirit of Rotary, and in violation of its Code of Ethics.
NINTH: To consider no personal success legitimate or ethical which is secured by taking unfair advantage of certain
opportunities in the social order that are absolutely denied other, nor will I take advantages of opportunities to
achieve material success that others will not take because of the questionable morality involved.
TENTH: To be not more obligated to a Brother Rotarian than I am to every man in human society because the genius
of Rotary is not in its competition, but in its co-operation; for provinciatism can never have a place in the institution
like Rotary, and Rotarians assert that Human Rights are not confined to Rotary Clubs, but are as deep and as broad
as the race itself; and for these high purposes does Rotary exist to educate all men and all institutions.
ELEVENTH:
Finally, believing in the universality of the Golden Rule, ALL THINGS WHATSOEVER YE
WOULD THAT MEN SHOULD DO UNTO YOU, DO YE EVEN SO UNTO THEM, we contend that Society best
hold together when equal opportunity is accorded all men in the natural resources of this planet.
1941-42
Governor:
Club:
Charles T. Cownie
Des Moines
Born in Des Moines May 17, 1904, and attended grade
school and high schools in the city. Was graduated from ISU and
attended Harvard Graduate School of Business Administration.
Associated with Cownie Furs from 1922 until his retirement as
Chairman in 1988.
Charles T. Cownie
RI President:
International Convention:
Tom J. Davis, Butte, Montana, USA
1941 Denver, CO
District Conference:
Des Moines
May 17-19, 1942
Hotel Fort Des Moines
Ed. T. Daisley
Conference Chairman:
Registered attendance:
From outside the Host City
609 Men
349 Women
958 Total
From the Host City
195 Men
179 Women
374 Total
Total Registered Attendance
804 Men
528 Women
1,332 Total
Clubs in District:
Golf:
Rotary Anns:
Notable Speakers:
84
Wakonda Country Club
Tea at Salisbury House, home of Mr. & Mrs. Carl Weeks
Deke Pearson, Director of RI, Roswell, New Mexico
"Rotary Faces Forward"
John R. Steelman, Director of U.S. Conciliation Service
"All Out Production for Victory"
Percy Corbett, Professor if International Law, McGill University
"The Problem of Post-War World"
Patrick Welch, Acting Director of Federal Union
"Federal Union"
Bishop Edwin N. Lee, Singapore and Manila
"America's Stake in the Orient"
His Excellency Alexander Loudon, Netherlands Ambassador to
the United States
"The United Nations"
Princess Juliana and Ambassador Loudon are presented to the
Conference by courtesy of Central College and the Rotary Club of Pella, Iowa
Robert E. Lee Hill, Past President of Rotary International
Herbert C. Mayer, President, Parsons College, Fairfield
1941-42 Continued
Entertainment:
Iowa State College Men's Glee Club directed by Tolbert MacRae
Stage Show, with 5 headline-acts
Dancing
Note: Governor Cownie held 5 sectional District Assemblies in 1941:
Sept. 29, 1941
Sept. 30, 1941
Oct. 9, 1941
Oct. 13, 1941
Oct. 21, 1941
Algona
Atlantic
Guttenberg
Muscatine
Newton
Excerpts from "...always on Thursday...", a story of the Rotary Club of Des Moines, by George
F. Rutledge:
(Memories of Charles Cownie) He writes: "Having started my year as Governor on July 1, 1941, I was, in
December, still in the process of making my official visit to each of the 84 clubs then in the District. This included
all of Iowa excepting the western tier of counties. Scheduled for Monday, December 8, were Cedar Rapids at noon
and Boone in the evening.
At home Sunday, the 7th, we listened in disbelief to the radio reporting the Japanese attack on Pearl
Harbor. Monday morning I drove, with no little concern, to Cedar Rapids arriving about noon at the Roosevelt
Hotel where the Rotary Club of Cedar Rapids was scheduled to meet. In the lobby, clustered around a radio, was a
solemn group listening to the gathering of the United States Congress called into joint session to hear President
Franklin Delano Roosevelt's message, 'Declaration of War'. Some of the dyed-in-the-wool Rotarians did meet in the
ballroom off the mezzanine. I had a hunch they were the ones who had their lunches prepaid or were officers or
committeemen assigned to welcome and introduce me. We ate hurriedly and I was introduced and delivered my
shortest, and therefore probably my best, speech of the year, quote: 'Let's adjourn this meeting and, as individual
Rotarians, and as a Rotary club, pitch in and help win this war!
We all adjourned to the lobby and the radio and listened to the President and his declaration of war against
Japan.
Following that I drove to Boone and, after the meeting, on home to Des Moines, all the time with an uneasy
feeling of sabotage, bombing, blown up bridges and who knows what?
The rest of my official visits all centered around, 'How could the local Rotary Club participate and help in
the war effort?"
Following is a quotation from a 1960 newspaper article:
"Charles T. Cownie, Des Moines furrier, who has been active in highway, urban renewal and other public
activities in Des Moines, has been listening to persons who want him to enter the race for the Republican
nomination for governor (of the State of Iowa) this year. He hasn't yet told them he will, but he hasn't told them he
won't either. The conversation seems to have gone something like this: 'Mr. Cownie, would you like to be
governor?' and Chuck replied, 'What fur?"
1942-43
Governor:
Club:
T. E. Davidson
Mason City
T. E. Davidson was born July 7, 1895, at Manson, Iowa.
Before thoughts of medicine entered his mind, he worked on his
father's farm. He attended Adrian high school, Adrian MO, Drake
University, Des Moines, and Rush Medical College, Chicago,
receiving his science degree from Drake and his medical degree
from Rush. He interned at Anker Hospital in St. Paul and served
residencies at Minneapolis General Hospital and the Mayo Clinic.
He was a fellow in the American College of Surgeons.
Dr. Davidson had lived in Mason City since 1926, when he
came here from Mayo Clinic. He is a past president of the Cerro
Gordo County Medical Society and a former editor of the North
T. E. Davidson
Iowa Medical News. He also served as chairman of the Cerro Gordo
County Republican Central Committee.
Dr. Davidson was a general surgeon at Memorial Hospital and Park Clinic, chairman of
Park Clinic and had been president of the staff of Memorial Hospital. He was active in civic and
church work. He was past director of the Chamber of Commerce, and was a 32nd degree Mason
and Shriner. He was also a member of the Boy Scout Winnebago Council and a board member
of Region 8. He was a member of the official board of First Methodist Church and for many
years served as chairman of its Commission on Christian Education.
In 1960, Dr. Davidson headed the Cerro Gordo County Committee in the $5,000,000
fund drive for Drake University. Drake awarded him a distinguished Service Award in 1964.
RI President:
International Convention:
Fernando Carbajal, Lima, Peru
1942 Toronto, Ont., Canada
District Conference:
Cedar Rapids
May 2-3, 1942
Roosevelt Hotel and Montrose Hotel
Conference Chairman S. R. Hankins
Registered attendance:
From outside the Host City
From the Host City
Total Registered Attendance
Clubs in District:
85
388 Men
199 Women
587 Total
76 Men
60 Women
136 Total
464 Men
259 Women
723 Total
1942-43 Continued
Notable Speakers:
Fred L. Hass, Director of RI
"A Challenge to the Club President"
Colonel Carlos P. Romulo, last man to leave Bataan. A friend and
confidant of both General MacArthur and General Wainwright. He was General
MacArthur's personal aide-de-camp and is now in this country on special
mission for General MacArthur and as an advisor to President Quezon, President
of the Philippine Government in Exile. Author of the current best seller "I Saw
The Fall of the Philippines".
Judge Carleton McNally, St. Paul, MN
"Youth in Abnormal Times"
Rev. John S. Higgins, St. Paul, MN
"The World Community"
Otto Von Krog, Director, State Boy's Institution, Eldora, IA
"The Cause of Delinquency"
Dr. Virgil M. Hancher, President, University of Iowa
Gov. Bourke Hickenlooper, Governor of Iowa
"The House of Magic - Today and Tomorrow", J. A. Spencer,
General Electric Company
Cedar Rapids Elks Club Minstrels
Karla Masaryk Singers, Native Czech Costumes and Songs
Entertainment:
Note: Governor Davidson held 4 sectional District Assemblies in 1942:
July 13, 1942
July 14, 1942
July 20, 1942
July 21, 1942
Washington
Sumner
Fort Dodge
Knoxville
1943-44
Governor:
Club:
Lou G. Chrysler
Grinnell
Louis G. Chrysler was born May 25, 1884, in Minneapolis,
MN, and was educated in Minneapolis and Lake Park, Iowa, Public
schools. He attended St. Thomas Academy and the University of
Minnesota. In addition to his position as mayor of Grinnell and
vice president of Grinnell College, he also held positions with the
Fruit Dispatch company and was involved in banking and land
development.
Mr. Chrysler was also a trustee of the Congregational
Church, past president of the country club, and headed the rationing
board during World War II.
RI President:
International Convention:
Lou G. Chrysler
Charles L. Wheeler, San Francisco, Calif., USA
1943 Saint Louis, MO, USA
Sectional District Assemblies were held as follows:
July 8, 1943
July 12, 1943
July 15, 1943
July 23, 1943
New Hampton
Eagle Grove
Iowa City
Indianola
District Conference:
Des Moines
April 16-17, 1944
Hotel Fort Des Moines
Registered attendance:
From outside the Host City
312 Men
160 Women
472 Total
From the Host City
122 Men
73 Women
195 Total
Total Registered Attendance
434 Men
233 Women
667 Total
Conference Theme:
Conference Chairman:
Rotary Anns:
Facing Readjustment -- Keeping the best of YESTERDAY as we
plan TODAY for a Better TOMORROW
Edwin F. Buckley
Through the courtesy of Col. Frank U. McCoskrie, Commandant of the
Women's Army Corps at Fort Des Moines, all Rotary Anns are invited to an
inspection tour of the post Monday morning, to be followed by luncheon with
the WAC at noon.
PDG Dinner:
The Des Moines Club
1943-44 Continued
Notable Speakers:
Entertainment:
Dr. Allen D. Albert, Past RI President
"The Year in Rotary"
"Rotary Foundation and Rotary Relief"
J. Carthell Robbins, Past RI Director
"A Rotarian -- So What?"
Rilea W. Doe, Vice President of the Safeway Stores
"Do We Have What It Takes"
Dr. Floyd W. Reeves, Professor of Administration, University of
Chicago, and Chairman of the Conference on Post-War
Readjustment of Civilian and Military Personnel, under the
National Resources Planning Board.
"Readjustment of Military Personnel and War Workers
Following Demobilization"
Walter B. Schleiter, Regional Manager for the Seventh Federal
Reserve District of the Committee for Economic Development
"Post War Planning"
Dr. James Shelby Thomas, formerly the head of the Chrysler
Institute of Engineering, and chief economist of the
Commonwealth and Southern Corporation.
"New Frontiers for Smart People"
Concert by Iowa State College Girls' Glee Club, directed by
Tobert MacRae, and the Iowa State Concert Band, directed by
Alvin R. Edgar
Russ Morgan And His Music - "In The Morgan Manner"
1944-45
Governor:
Club:
Henry O. Bernbrock
Waterloo
Henry O. Bernbrock (Bernie) was President of the Waterloo
Rotary Club 1937-38. His classification was "Laundry". Born at
Quincy, Ill, Feb. 12, 1874, he came to Waterloo in 1902 and joined
Waterloo Rotary Club in 1915. He was a member of the Iowa
Legislature representing the Waterloo district and was prominently
known throughout the state of Iowa. He was the owner and
operator of the Waterloo Laundry and Dry Cleaning Company, also
the owner of many business buildings, apartments, and other real
estate holdings in the city of Waterloo. He died in Denver,
Colorado, April 1, 1960.
Henry O. Bernbrock
RI President:
International Convention:
Attendance:
Richard H. Wells, Pocatello, Idaho, USA
1944 Chicago, IL, USA
403
District Conference:
NONE - because of the War
Note: Four Sectional District Assemblies were held as follows:
June 29, 1944
July 6, 1944
July 10, 1944
July 27, 1944
Algona Algona Country Club
Dubuque
Burlington
Burlington Hotel
Winterset
1945-46
Governor:
Club:
Dan J. P. Ryan
Parkersburg
Dan Ryan was editor and publisher of the Parkersburg
Eclipse. He was a charter member of the Parkersburg Rotary Club.
He was also head of the Parkersburg Red Cross war fund
campaigns; president of the Iowa Highway Improvement
Association; served several terms as head of the Butler County
District of the Boy Scouts of America; member of the Knights of
Columbus, Waterloo; was Democrat candidate twice for
representative of Iowa's third district in Congress; organized and
served as president of the Parkersburg Athletic Association;
Chairman of the Greater Butler County Committee; president
for 4 years of the Parkersburg Community Club.
RI President:
International Convention:
Attendance
Dan J. P. Ryan
T. A. Warren, Wolverhampton, Staffs., England
1945 Chicago, IL, USA
141 This, of course, was due to the effects of World War II. The very
next year, 1946, total attendance at the Convention in Atlantic City
was 10,958.
Sectional District Assemblies:
June 7, 1945
Waverly
June 11, 1945
Jefferson
June 25, 1945
Washington
District Conference:
Conference Co-chairs:
Fortner Hotel
Jefferson High School
Y.M.C.A. Building
Burlington
April 28-30, 1946
Edward D. Walker and Ray H. Bracewell
Registered attendance:
From outside the Host City
From the Host City
Total Registered Attendance
Clubs in District:
Sunday, April 28:
406 Men
97 Women
503 Total
94 Men
75 Women
169 Total
500 Men
172 Women
672 Total
87
4,267 members
Your Choice of Entertainment
2:30 to 5:00 -- Escorted Bus Tour through the thirty thousand acres Iowa Ordnance Plant. This important
arsenal loaded millions of tons of explosive bombs and shells during the war. A stop will be made in West
Burlington to visit the famous Our Lady of grace Grotto.
2:45 to 5:00 -- For those who prefer, Speed Boat rides will be furnished on the Mississippi through the
courtesy of Burlington boat owners. A thrilling ride in one of these mahogany speedsters.
3:00 to 5:00 -- Bus tour to visit most beautiful park in Iowa. A park with everything that goes to make it
most interesting -- Crapo Park, overlooking the Mississippi River.
1945-46 Continued
Rotary Anns:
Governor's Banquet:
Plenary Sessions:
Notable Speakers:
Entertainment:
Tea at the Norval Prugh Residence, "Overlooking the
Mississippi"
Tuesday - Breakfast at Burlington Country Club
Memorial Auditorium
Hotel Burlington and Memorial Auditorium
Col. M. Thomas, Tchou, China, former Secretary to the
Generalissimo of the Chinese Army and
General Chiang Kai-shek
"America and the Struggle in the Orient"
Carl L. Millward, Milton, PA, RI's Special Representative
"To Whom It May Concern"
"Rotary and Uranium"
Nathan Howard Gist, New York City, NY, Columnist
Captain Michael Fielding, Radio Commentator WGN, Chicago
"Searchlight Through The Fog"
Concert by Burlington High School and Junior College 90-piece
orchestra under direction of Miss Dorothy Baumle
The Song Stylists -- Quartet and Prima Donna,
currently featured at the Edgewater Beach Hotel
Charlie Brugge -- Comedy Musical Act of
International Fame
Gene Emerald -- In Pantomime, and Master of
Ceremonies, Radio Star
The Nonchalants -- Sensational Balancing Act,
now starring at the Palmer House, Empire
Room
Saul Grauman -- and His Musical Stairatone
Revue. Recently featured in the Paramount
Musical Picture, "Pardon My Rhythm"
The following article was included in the 1946 program booklet:
PIONEERS OF ROTARY
By Ray H. Bracewell
The Pioneers of Rotary had their birth at the Des Moines conference in 1942. Carl Weeks acted as
godfather. However, this was no normal birthday event. For the Pioneers, unlike the usual puny, squalling, illy clad
infants wearing white cloths around their loins; the Pioneers arrived full grown, talking, walking, fully clothed, old
timers wearing red bandannas around their necks. In fact, the only resemblance to normal infants as I remember it
was that some did and some didn't have hair on their heads.
Our first official act, quite becoming to veterans of a luncheon club, was to eat. Since that time, Pioneer
breakfasts have been a feature of all annual conventions of the 132nd District, Rotary International. After breakfast,
our godfather Carl called upon some of the older and wiser of our number to make speeches. What was said does not
now nor did it then seem to be a matter of great importance. Speeches were in order and we had
1945-46 Continued
them. Yes, we sang a few songs. Then came a vote to organize and finally an election. Guy Hinkley of Eagle Grove
was elected first secretary and Ray Bracewell of Burlington first president. A year later at Cedar Rapids,
Guy Hinkley was again elected secretary with Shorty Frances of Marshalltown as president. At the breakfast in Des
Moines in 1944 Jim Keevers of Cedar Rapids was elected secretary and Ed Healey of Dubuque was elected
president.
Who are Pioneers of Rotary; what is their reason for being? The first part of this question is easy to answer.
Pioneers of Rotary are Rotarians who have enjoyed being members of some Rotary club for 20 years or more. These
20 years do not need to have been consecutive, neither do they have to be served in any one club.
The second part of the question is not so easy. Perhaps we had better begin in the negative. Pioneers are not
a political organization within Rotary. We have no program independent of Rotary itself. We have no dues. Going
over to the positive point of view, we do seek to foster our own enjoyment of Rotary. We have been members of
Rotary for 20 years or more because we love Rotary and like to work in it. We have made friends among our home
club members, and we have made friends throughout the clubs of the 132nd district. Many of us have attended a
number of district conventions. We seek to promote attendance at district meetings, partly because we think it is
good for Rotary but just as sincerely and honestly because we enjoy going and the more old timers we meet the
more pleasure we have ourselves. But we are not altogether selfish. We are the old timers. We are convention wise.
We think we can help to create an atmosphere of fellowship that will make the young fellows enjoy their first or
second convention so much that they will go back to their respective clubs saying, "I never had such a good time.
Rotary is a great force for good. Let us all get together, work together and carry out Rotary's program. And believe
me, fellows, when another year rolls around and the old 132nd holds another convention, I'm going."
Notes from a Parkersburg newspaper article - January 11, 1945:
DAN J. P. RYAN GIVEN 1944 LOCAL CLUB COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD
The committee named the man and the club unanimously accepted their verdict. This was the community
award committee for 1944. They named Dan J. P. Ryan, editor and publisher of the Parkersburg Eclipse, for
outstanding community service and displaying an effective community spirit.
In presenting the award Vern Kyhl, a member of the committee stated: "That the man to whom this award
goes this year has been active in the community club, he has also given much time to the Boy Scouts, is active in the
state newspaper, and Rotary organizations and among other things helped organize a county organization. He is the
most cussed and discussed man in Parkersburg, but each of us like him and think very well of him."
In accepting, Mr. Ryan stated that it was indeed a pleasant surprise and that he felt that he had not done
anything outstanding for the things that he had tried to do were done as his conception of the job of being editor of
the Eclipse. And then he said "thanks a lot, fellows."
1946-47
Governor:
Club:
Alvin R. Edgar
Ames
Notes from the Rotary Club of Ames 75th anniversary program
book:
Alvin R. Edgar, a Professor of Music was the consummate promoter.
He introduced and managed the Travel and Adventure series throughout Iowa.
He initiated the concept of a major concert hall at Iowa State University (now
C.Y. Stephens Concert Hall) and for it's opening concert, booked the New York
Philharmonic Orchestra for a week of performances.
After Edgar's term as president of our club in 1942-43, and as a member
of the Governor's Advisory Council, 1943-46, he was recognized as District
Governor material. After getting his consent to enter the contest, a committee
Alvin R. Edgar
planned a campaign which resulted in his election as Governor for the 1946-47 Rotary year.
During his term, Edgar visited and talked to each of the 87 existing clubs and installed two others, at
Lamoni and Osage. From an occasional visit to his home club that year it became evident that he was enjoying the
pace he had set for himself and was growing in Rotary stature. Comments from outside clubs described him as a
strict disciplinarian with sufficient humor and showmanship to bring the less tractable clubs into line. Attendance in
the District during the year was brought up from 65th place to the low thirties.
Two big events, the District Assembly (for club officers) at Ames in July, 1946, and the District
Conference at Waterloo in May, 1947, were each well attended and effectively handled.
A District Governor is practically a member of the Board of Directors of Rotary International. In that
capacity he attended the directors meeting at Swanscott, Massachusetts, which preceded the Atlantic City
International Convention in 1946, as well as the convention itself. He showed his versatility at the convention by
coming to grips with a very unusual situation. A symphony orchestra had been engaged for two concerts. Shortly
after the first performance, the director suddenly collapsed and died. From the knowledge that Al had directed a
symphonic orchestra he was consulted about the situation and asked if he would direct the final concert. After a
two-hour rehearsal, in which he gained the confidence of the musicians, he carried out the assignment and thereby
won the plaudits of the crowd.
He served on the Rotary International Elections committee and the Committee on Legislation at the San
Francisco Convention in 1947. That his experience in District and International affairs made him an even better
Rotarian is evident from his continued active participation in his home club.
RI President:
International Convention:
Richard C. Hedke, Detroit, Mich., USA
1946 Atlantic City, NJ, USA
District Assembly:
Ames
July 8-9, 1946 Attendance: 120
Great Hall - Memorial Union
District Conference:
Waterloo
May 4-5, 1947
Hotel Russell-Lamson
S. A. Cohagan
Men
652
Women
515
Total
1,167
Conference Chairman:
Attendance:
1946-47 Continued
Governor's Banquet:
Rotary Anns:
Notable Speakers:
Tavern-On-The-Green
Sunday -- Tea, Gold Room, President Hotel
Music: Latin American Ensemble from West Waterloo
High School
Address: Senor Roberto De La Rosa of Mexico City
Monday -- Southern Breakfast, Waterloo Womans Club
Tour of homes to view collections
Musical Tea at the Commons, Iowa State Teachers
College
Roberto De La Rosa, Mexico City
"Democracy Through Rotary in Latin America"
James E. Gheen, New York City, humorist - philosopher
"Little Do We Know"
Kenneth "Tug" Wilson, Conference Commissioner of Athletics
"Youth Today -- Citizens Tomorrow"
Carl E. Bolte, Kansas City, MO, Third Vice-President of RI
"Future of Rotary"
Willard Goslin, Supt. of Schools, Minneapolis
"Ways to Peace"
Carroll Binder, Minneapolis, MN, Editor of the Minneapolis Morning
and Sunday Tribune, traveler, student of foreign affairs, just returned from a
25,000 mile visit to Japan, Korea, China, the Philippines and the American bases
in the Pacific in the course of which he interviewed General MacArthur, Chiang
Kai-shek, President Roxas of the Philipines, Prime Ministers Yoshida and Soong
and other personalities of that part of the world.
Entertainment:
"Japan, Korea and China in 1947"
The Songfellows, "The Ultimate in Song"
Piano Team, Austin and Schofield
Vocalist, Lucia Thorne
Iowa State Teachers College Band
Variety Entertainment:
Westerners
Hank the Mule
Jordan Duo
Auggie & Jimmie
Note: A comment in Governor Edgar's Conference Report states that, "For the first time a
"House of Friendship" was established. The banquet room of the hotel was given over to this
purpose and it was a most appreciated and satisfactory feature".
1946-47 Continued
The following memorial is included in the program booklet and was read at the conference:
PAUL P. HARRIS
Paul P. Harris, President Emeritus and Founder of Rotary passed away on January 27, 1947. Rotarians in
six thousand clubs scattered through 70 countries mourn the death of the man who in 1905 conceived the unique
idea of a club in which each man would be engaged in a different line of business.
Paul Harris was born in Racine, Wisconsin, April 19, 1868, graduated from the law school at the University
of Iowa in 1891 and established a law practice in Chicago in 1896.
It was in 1900 that the germ of the idea of Rotary came to Paul but it was February 23, 1905, when the first
meeting actually took place. This meeting was attended by four men, Paul Harris and three of his client friends.
It is truly remarkable that one man should be able, within the short span of his life time, to conceive an idea
as appealing as Rotary, establish the movement, and see it grow as Paul Harris saw Rotary develop. Someone has
said that what we do for ourselves dies with us but that what we do for others lives forever. If this be true, surely the
influence of Paul Harris will long be felt.
-- Bruce Gates
1947-48
Governor:
Club:
Dallas M. Harrison
Hampton
Dallas M. Harrison, a dairy farmer, was born in Hansell,
Iowa, on February 26, 1897. He was educated in the Hampton
schools and at Hamilton University, Mason City, Iowa. He married
Ruth Artley February, 26, 1918.
From 1918 to 1920 he worked as a farmer in Franklin
County. In 1937-40 he served as manager of Franklin Rural
Electrification. From 1940- a dairy farmer and breeder of Brown
Swiss cattle. He served as a member of the board of education, was
organizer & secretary for 12 years of the Brown Swiss Cattle
Association, member Franklin County Farm Bureau, Commercial
Club, Hampton Country Club and was President of Upper-Iowa
Layman of Methodist Church. His hobby was showing cattle.
Dallas M. Harrison
RI President:
International Convention:
S. Kendrick Guernsey, Jacksonville, FL, USA
1947 San Francisco, CA, USA
District Assembly:
Marshalltown
Tallcorn Hotel
July 8-9, 1947 Attendance: 151
Governor's comment: Rotary Foundation was presented and well received. I
look for the District to come through in good style. Ralph Shannon, Washington, has been appointed chairman for
the District and he is willing to devote considerable time to promotion work.
District Conference:
Conference Co-Chairs:
Des Moines
April 4-5, 1948
Hotel Fort Des Moines
Woody Woods and Edwin F. Buckley
Registered attendance:
From outside the Host City
419 Men
249 Women
668 Total
From the Host City
119 Men
84 Women
203 Total
Total Registered Attendance
538 Men
333 Women
871 Total
Clubs in District:
Rotary Anns:
91
Members:
4,853
Sunday -- Tea in the Ranch Room, 11th floor,
Hotel Fort Des Moines
Monday -- Breakfast and Style Show, Younkers Tea Room
Trip to Des Moines New Art Center
1947-48 Continued
Notable Speakers:
Entertainment:
Dr. Marvin B. Kober, Cedar Rapids
"Lights and Shadows From the Lamps of China"
Dr. Kenneth McFarland, Supt. of Schools, Topeka, Kansas
"Which Knew Not Joseph"
Rilea W. Doe, RI President's Representative
"I Know It Will Work"
Strickland W. Gillilan
"Wisdom Sweetened With Laughs"
The Drake Choir in "A Night of Opera"
Austin and Schofield, 2-piano team
Nevada High School Chorus
Note: Comment from the Governor's Official Conference Report:
This Conference will be remembered as the one that divided the 132nd District. The subject of districting
has been on the Conference program for many years but this was the first time that subject has come to a vote. The
vote for division was not unanimous but the minority accepted defeat in true Rotary manner and the fine spirit of
fellowship continued to prevail through the balance of the Conference.
District Governor Nominations:
District 132 Cecil J. Semans
District 133 Edward D. Walker
Estherville
Burlington
Notes per letter from Alan W. Selene, Hampton Rotary Club:
As I understand it, Mr. Harrison holds the dubious distinction as being the District Governor charged with
splitting the district up into the districts as we know them today. He was recognized, although he was unable to
attend, at the joint District Conference between 597 & 600, held in Ames in 1984. My father, Werner F. Selene was
then Governor of District 597.
1948-49
Governor:
Club:
Edward D. Walker
Burlington
Edward D. Walker was born in Memphis, Missouri, on
February 12, 1898. He was a stock broker in Burlington for many
years selling stocks and bonds for the White Philips Company out
of Davenport, Iowa. His office was in his home at 615 Court Street
located in the Heritage Hill Historic District of Burlington. Ed was
president of the Burlington Rotary Club in 1941 and was co-chair
of the District 132 conference held in Burlington in April 1946. He
was a member of First United Church of Christ, a member of
Burlington Area Chamber of Commerce and honorary member of
Shining Trail Council of Girl Scouts.
Edward D. Walker
Additional information provided by Burlington Rotarians:
Ed had a lovely home in Burlington. Each spring he would set up scaffolding around the house and wash
down the sides with Fels Naptha soap. He also repainted one side of his house each year.
Ed ran a tight ship as far as Rotary was concerned. His meetings always started on time. They were
conducted in a business-like manner with little humor, although Ed had a hearty laugh. His wife, Mildred, was a
gracious hostess and was always at his side.
Additional information provided by Jeanine Walker Hazlett, daughter of Ed Walker:
Ed Walker attended public schools in Memphis, Missouri, and business college in Quincy, Illinois, after
which he entered the investment bond business. After a brief period of time in Chicago, he came to Burlington as
the territory sales representative for White-Philips Co. and served in this capacity from approximately 1930-1978.
Rotary was a very important part of my father's life. If he missed the Monday meeting in Burlington, he would
make sure his travel/work schedule allowed attendance at a meeting in another city. Both he and my mother,
Mildred, whom he married on December 17, 1930, enjoyed Rotary's social functions and attended regularly both
district and international conventions. Two family vacations included international conventions in New York City
and Denver with Mother and Dad attending conventions in Quebec and Mexico City.
Dad was a very community-minded citizen, always maintaining a low profile, and was proud of his
involvement with obtaining a large contribution enabling the Girl Scouts to establish and develop their camp.
Additionally, he served on the boards of First Methodist and United Church of Christ, respectively, the Girl Scouts,
and was actively involved with Heritage Hill Association and assisted with numerous charitable fund drives. He
died on December 3, 1980. In April, 1983, The Rotary Foundation designated him a Paul Harris Fellow. I attended
the ceremony at the Burlington Club with my Mother --- it was a fitting memorial to my Father.
RI President:
International Convention:
Angus S. Mitchell, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
1948 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
District Assembly:
Indianola
July 16, 1948
Burlington
July 19, 1948
Ottumwa
April 10-11, 1949
Hotel Ottumwa
Dr. Welden R. Loerke
District Conference:
Conference Chairman:
1948-49 Continued
Registered attendance:
From outside the Host City
216 Men
117 Women
333 Total
From the Host City
100 Men
77 Women
177 Total
Total Registered Attendance
316 Men
194 Women
510 Total
Clubs in District:
45
Rotary Anns:
Special tour thru John Morrell & Co.
Ladies Tea at Country Club
Plenary Sessions:
Fellowship Hall, Methodist Church
Sunday Dinner:
Smorgasbord -- Armory-Coliseum
Notable Speakers:
Entertainment:
Fred L. Haas, Omaha, Nebraska, Past RI Director
"The Attributes of the World-Minded Rotarian"
Dr. Earl E. Harper, Iowa City, Director, State University of
Iowa School of Fine Arts; Director, Iowa Memorial Union
"The Story of Life"
Harry F. Russell, Hastings, Nebr., Director, Rotary International
"Explanation of Rotary Enactments"
"What Have We Learned"
William E. Skadden, Springfield, IL, former Executive
Secretary, Illinois Welfare and lecturer for Division for
Delinquency Prevention, Illinois Dept. of Public Welfare
"Marry And Be Merry"
Students of Ottumwa Schools
Soloist: Mrs. Ivory Winston, Ottumwa
1949-50
Governor:
Club:
G. Floid Hatcher
Grinnell
G. Floid Hatcher was born near What Cheer, IA, on
September 12, 1896. His family later moved to a farm near New
Sharon, and he received his education at rural schools near his
home. He attended Penn School of Commerce at Oskaloosa,
graduating in 1915. He moved to Grinnell in 1917, and was
appointed dealer for the Overland Car. He also was a dealer for
Hupmobile and Willys Knight. In 1924, he became a dealer for
G. Floid Hatcher
Chrysler Motors and continued with the Chrysler-Plymouth
Agency until 1950. In 1942, he also became the Allis-Chalmers and Oliver Farm Machinery
dealer in Grinnell, which he continued until 1961.
Mr. Hatcher, along with 13 other men, conceived the idea of building a lake in Jasper
County, which eventually the State of Iowa developed into Rock Creek Lake State Park.
Mr. Hatcher had been a member of the Grinnell Rotary Club since its inception in 1938
and had maintained a perfect attendance record for over 25 years. He attended 14 of Rotary's
International Conventions. He was also a 50 year member of the Grinnell Elks Lodge and a
member of the Knights of Pythias.
1949-50 was the first year for official RI annual themes. In the early years, these were
statements of objectives or goals.
RI President:
Percy C. Hodgson, Narragansett, Rhode Island, USA
Objectives of Our Team for 1949-50:
1.
Each new member admitted into a Rotary club to be adequately informed about
his duties and obligations BEFORE his induction -- properly introduced to the club -- and
effectively assimilated into the work of the club during the first year.
2.
A better understanding and application of the principles of Vocational Service as
set forth in SERVICE IS MY BUSINESS.
3.
A contribution to world understanding and peace through an intensification of our
international service program.
4.
An outstanding district conference in every district.
International Convention:
1949
District Assembly:
Attendance:
July 15, 1949
110
District Conference:
Davenport
April 30 - May 1, 1950
Blackhawk Hotel
Henry Meese and Lou Chrysler
Conference Co-Chairs:
New York, NY, USA
Newton
Hotel Maytag
1949-50 Continued
Registered attendance:
From outside the Host City
175 Men
72 Women
247 Total
From the Host City
162 Men
53 Women
215 Total
Total Registered Attendance
337 Men
125 Women
462 Total
Plenary Sessions:
Rotary Anns:
Notable Speakers:
Entertainment:
Blackhawk Hotel except Monday morning -- Orpheum Theater
Tea at the Outing Club
Dr. Bruno Haid, Innsbruck, Austria, Student at Univ. of Iowa
"Rotary Foundation Fellowship and What it Means to a
Student"
Roy E. Smith, Tyler, Texas, Past Director of RI
"Dare to Live Rotary"
"On the Club Level"
Merle, Tucker, Vice President, Oliver Corporation, Chicago, IL
"Business Men and Their Future in Foreign Countries as I
See It"
"Style and Adventure", Gayle Hastings, Internationally Known
European Designer
Dinner music by Marjorie Meinert and George Sontag
Augustana College Choir
Dancing to Jimmie O'Dette and His Orchestra
1949-50 Continued
BOUNDARY OF DISTRICT 193
Boundary Description 1 July 1949
Iowa, that portion south of the southern boundaries of the counties of JACKSON, JONES,
LINN, BENTON, TAMA, GRUNDY, HARDIN, HAMILTON, WEBSTER, CALHOUN
and SAC, and east of the western boundaries of CARROLL, AUDUBON, CASS, ADAMS and
TAYLOR.
1950-51
Governor:
Club:
Thomas G. Fultz
Pella
Dr. Thomas G. Fultz came to Pella in 1906 as a young
veterinarian fresh out of Iowa State College in Ames. He later
became a long-time Mayor of Pella. Dr. Fultz was active in
community affairs, especially in the Rotary Club. After his
retirement, he left $10,000 to the Rotary Club of Pella, to be used as
a scholarship fund for Pella students who wished to study in a
foreign county, as well as supporting foreign students studying in
Pella under the sponsorship of the Pella Rotary Club.
Dr. Fultz was born in Story County, Iowa, on October 13,
1886. He served as a member of the 55th regiment ING, and was
discharged in 1910 as a 1st Lieutenant. In addition to his extensive
civic duties, he served as President of the Central Iowa Veterinarian
Medicine Society in 1936. His hobby was woodworking.
RI President:
Theme:
Thomas G. Flultz
International Convention:
Arthur Lagueux, Quebec, Quebec, Canada
Goals for 1950-51:
1. In club service we must beget our heirs.
2. In vocational service honesty is still the best policy.
3. In community service we can plan for the future.
4. In international service we must reexamine our world.
5. And finally we can extend the influence of Rotary.
1950 Detroit, MI, USA
District Assembly:
Attendance:
Grinnell
84
District Conference:
Des Moines
April 29-30, 1951
Hotel Fort Des Moines
Charles A. Wheeler
Conference Chairman:
July 10, 1950
Grinnell College
Registered attendance:
From outside the Host City
154 Men
90 Women
244 Total
From the Host City
218 Men
42 Women
260 Total
Total Registered Attendance
372 Men
132 Women
504 Total
Clubs in District:
46
1950-51 Continued
Notable Speakers:
Entertainment:
William C. Rastetter, Fort Wayne, Ind., Director of RI
Rt. Rev. Gordon V. Smith, Episcopal Bishop of Iowa
H. Roe Bartle, Kansas City, Mo.
Music -- Mrs. Lyall Mitchell, Oskaloosa
Pella Singers
Ralph Zarnow Orchestra
From a newspaper article dated May 4, 1950:
Pella's honorary Burgemeester, Dr. T. G. Fultz, reached another notch in popularity at the convention of
Rotary Clubs at Davenport, Iowa this week when he was elected by an overwhelming majority to the position of
governor of the 193rd District.
The announcement of Dr. Fultz election was made at the Smorgasbord luncheon Sunday evening and was
greeted with wholehearted applause. Doc's appearance, his friendly smile and manner won for him many new
friends wherever groups gathered to discuss Rotary plans. He was given another genuine endorsement after his
acceptance speech at the banquet Monday evening.
"Pella's Rotary Club is proud of Tom Fultz," said President Babe Tysseling at the local club meeting
Tuesday. Tysseling told of the efforts made by the local Rotarians and other clubs to elect Dr. Fultz and assured the
new governor that his club would stand by him in every way possible to make his work pleasant and successful.
Doc responded with a heartfelt expression of thanks to everyone, and his evident sincerity further endeared him to
his listeners. The Doctor has received, from many townsmen, congratulations, evidence of the warm spot Pella
people have in their hearts for him.
Dr. Fultz said Tuesday that four hundred fifty were registered for the Davenport convention. District 193
embraces thirty-three counties of Iowa.
1951-52
Governor:
Club:
Oliver H. "Bim" Bimson
Indianola
"Bim" Bimson was born in Inman, Nebraska on May 31,
1892, received his Ph.D. from the University of Nebraska in 1939,
and became Dean of Simpson College in 1947. He is well known
as an educator, author, musician and administrator.
RI President:
Theme:
International Convention:
Frank E. Spain, Greensboro,
Alabama, USA
None listed for 1951-52
1951 Atlantic City, NJ
District Assembly:
Indianola
June 28-29, 1951
Simpson College
District Conference:
Ames
April 20, 21, 1952
Memorial Union, Iowa State College
Tolbert MacRae
Conference Chair:
“Bim” Bimson
Registered attendance:
From outside the Host City
From the Host City
Total Registered Attendance
Plenary sessions:
Notable speakers:
Entertainment:
422 Men
304 Women
726 Total
79 Men
53 Women
132 Total
501 Men
357 Women
858 Total
Curtiss Hall (Agricultural Hall)
Congressman Walter Judd
Henry J. Brunnier, RI Presidential nominee
Franklin D. Murphy, Chancellor, University of Kansas
Allin W. Dakin, President Iowa City Rotary Club
Charles E. Friley, President Iowa State College
Minneapolis Symphony Orchestra Concert
The Oklahoma Ploughboys
Colby and Ferguson, Songsational, Dansational Sensation
from the original cast of South Pacific
1952-53
Governor:
Club:
Clarence R. Off
North English
Clarence R. Off is City Attorney in North English, Iowa,
and is engaged in general law practice in that city. He was born in
Dubuque, Iowa, and attended the University of Iowa in Iowa City.
Mr. Off is a charter member of the Rotary Club of North English,
which was organized in 1947, and is Past President of that club.
Mr. Off has served on the North English Town Council and the
Board of Education, was Iowa County Attorney, and is a Past
President of the Iowa County Bar Association.
RI President:
Theme:
International Convention:
H. J. Brunnier
San Francisco, Calif. USA
None listed for 1952-53
1952 Mexico City, Mexico
Clarence R. Off
District Assembly:
Attendance
Amana June 26, 1952 Amana High School
150 Rotarians
65 Rotary Anns
District Conference:
Burlington
Hotel Burlington
Derby Thompson
Conference Chair:
April 19, 20, 1953
Registered attendance:
From outside the Host City
From the Host City
Total Registered Attendance
Governor's banquet:
Plenary sessions:
Rotary Ann's:
Notable speakers:
Entertainment:
183 Men
106 Women
289 Total
92 Men
90 Women
182 Total
275 Men
196 Women
471 Total
Flint Hills Club
Capitol Theatre and Memorial Auditorium
Burlington Golf Club
Clifford A. Randall, Milwaukee, Wis., Director of Zone 2 and
RI President's Representative
Prof. Hew Roberts, Iowa City
"Some Realities in International Understanding"
Hon. Leo A. Hoegh, Attorney General of Iowa
"Rotary and the Law"
Jeff H. Williams, Oklahoma City, Okla.
"It Ain't Necessarily So"
Purdue University Glee Club
1952-53, Continued
Notes on H. J. Brunnier from the 1953 Conference Program Booklet
Henry J. Brunnier, San Francisco, Cal., USA
President Rotary International 1952-53
H. J. Brunnier of San Francisco, Cal., has been a consulting structural
engineer since 1908. A specialist in the field of earthquake and difficult
foundation problems, he has been responsible for the structural safety of many of
the larger buildings and bridges on the Pacific Coast of the USA and, in recent
years, he has extended his engineering interests to other parts of the world.
Mr. Brunnier is President of Rotary International for 1952-53. He has
been a member of the Rotary Club of San Francisco since 1908 and is a Past
President of that club. He has served Rotary International as Vice President,
District Governor, and as committee chairman and member. When Rotary
International held its Conventions in San Francisco in 1915 and 1938, he served
as Chairman of the Host Club Executive Committee.
Mr. Brunnier was born in Manning, Iowa, and was graduated from
Iowa State College. In World War I, he cooperated in organizing and managing
the Concrete Ship Department for the United States Emergency Fleet
Corporation. During World War II, he was structural engineer for some of the
largest Army and Navy projects on the West Coast of North and Central
America. When the $75,000,000 San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge was
H. J. Brunnier
built, he was a member of the five-man Consulting Engineer's Board.
He was recently named "The West's Outstanding Engineer" by the Building Industry Conference Board.
He is an honorary member of the Institute of Engineers of Chile, is an Officer of the Belgian Order of the Crown and
an Officer of the French Legion of Honor.
Note: A collection of mementoes gathered during Henry and Ann Brunnier's Rotary
experiences is on display at the Scheman Building - Iowa State Center, Ames, Iowa.
Ann Brunnier is considered to be the Original Rotary Ann --- Excerpt from The ABCs of
Rotary by Clifford L. Dochterman, President, Rotary International 1992-93:
In many Rotary clubs throughout the world, wives of male members are affectionately called "Rotary
Anns." This designation was never one of disparagement, but rather grew out of an interesting historical occasion.
The year was 1914 when San Francisco Rotarians boarded a special train to attend the Rotary convention
being held in Houston. In those days few wives attended Rotary events, and until the train stopped in Los Angeles,
the only woman aboard was the wife of Rotarian Bru Brunnier. As the train picked up additional convention-bound
delegates, Mrs. Ann Brunnier was introduced as the Rotarian's Ann. This title soon became "Rotary Ann." Since the
clubs of the West were inviting the Rotarians to hold their next convention in San Francisco, a number of songs and
stunts were organized which would be performed in Houston. One of the Rotarians wrote a "Rotary Ann" chant. On
the train's arrival at the Houston depot, a delegation greeted the West Coast Rotarians. One of the greeters was Guy
Gundaker of Philadelphia, whose wife was also named Ann. During the rousing demonstration, someone started the
Rotary Ann chant. The two petite ladies, Ann Brunnier and Ann Gundaker, were hoisted to the men's shoulders and
paraded about the hall. The group loved the title given to the two women named Ann. Immediately the same term of
endearment was used for all of the wives in attendance, and the name "Rotary Ann" was here to stay.
Guy Gundaker became president of Rotary International in 1923 and Bru Brunnier was elected president in
1952. Thus, each of the two original Rotary Anns became the "first lady of Rotary International."
1953-54
Governor:
Club:
Allin W. Dakin
Iowa City
Allin Winston Dakin is Administrative Dean and Assistant
to the President of the State University of Iowa, in Iowa City. He
was born in Mason City, Iowa, was graduated from the State
University, and from Harvard University in Cambridge,
Massachusetts.
He has been a member of the Rotary Club of Iowa City
since 1944 and is a Past President of that club.
Mr. Dakin is President of the Hawkeye Area Council of the
Boy Scouts of America, and Vice-President of the Harvard Club of
Eastern Iowa. He is a Past Director of the Iowa City Chamber of
Commerce and Past Vice-President of the Civic Music Association,
Allin W. Dakin
and of the Iowa River Valley Council of the Boy Scouts of America.
Mr. Dakin is a former bursar of the Robert College and the American College for Girls in
Istanbul, Turkey. In that city he was Managing Director of the Admiral Bristol Hospital,
President of the College Club, and Vice-President of the Hissar Players.
He is a Past President of the University Club of Claremont, California, and has been
Director of the Festival of the Americas in Los Angeles. For three years he was a Director of
Parent's Institute, Inc., publishers of Parents Magazine.
RI President:
Theme:
International Convention:
District Conference:
Conf. Co-Chairs:
Joaquin Serratosa Cibils
Montevideo, Uruguay
Rotary is Hope in Action
1953 Paris, France
Carroll November 8, 9, 1953
Hotel Burke
Dr. John Martin and Howard Richey
Registered attendance:
From outside the Host City
From the Host City
Total Registered Attendance
Plenary sessions:
Governor's banquet:
229 Men
128 Women
357 Total
78 Men
75 Women
153 Total
307 Men
203 Women
510 Total
Carroll Theater
Carroll High School Auditorium
Carroll High School Auditorium
1953-54, Continued
Rotary Anns:
Notable speakers:
Entertainment:
Breakfast - Driftwood Room, Hotel Burke -- honoring the
original Rotary Ann - with several favors at each place plus
many valuable prizes
Chesley R. Perry, Past Secretary of Rotary International
Henry J. Brunnier, RI President's Representative and
immediate Past President RI
Clifford A. Randall, Program Chairman RI
Don Harding, Governor, District 177, Council Bluffs
Carroll Elks Chorus
Carroll High School Band
Singers - Wade Raridon and Rosemary Jenkins, students - Fine
Arts Dept. University of Iowa
Note: Plaques were presented to Bru and Ann which in turn are going to be installed in the
Libraries at Carroll and Manning heading up a shelf of books contributed by the Rotary Clubs in
memory of these two outstanding individuals.
Note: A Manual of Procedure for District 193 was adopted at this Conference.
Note: Poem from front of conference booklet:
FRIENDSHIP
Friendship is a chain of gold...Shaped
in God's all-perfect mold...Each link
a smile, a laugh, a tear...A grip of
the hand, a word of cheer...As steadfast as the ages roll...Binding closer
soul to soul...No matter how far or
heavy the load...Sweet is the journey
on Friendship's road...
Note: Allin Dakin went on to achieve high position in Rotary offices:
1955-56
Director
1956-57
3rd Vice-Pres.
1960
RI Convention Chairman
1965-66
Rotary Planning Committee
1954-55
Governor:
Club:
Paul E. Hellwege
Boone
Paul E. Hellwege was born July 3, 1912, in a farmhouse in
Amaqua Township, Boone County, Iowa. He attended country
school for early elementary grades and completed High School at
Boxholm, Iowa, where he graduated in 1930. After helping his
father on the farm for two years, he entered the University of Iowa
in the fall of 1932. Two degrees were subsequently received: A
B.A. Degree ('36) and a J.D. Degree '(38).
In June, 1938, having passed the Iowa Bar, Paul moved to
Boone, Iowa, and established a solo practice, sharing office space
Paul E. Hellwege
with W. W. Goodykoontz. Paul married Phoebe Benson on
August 28, 1939. He was elected County Attorney of Boone County in 1942 and served in that
capacity for six years -- the first Democrat ever to serve in that office. He also served as City
Attorney of Boone from 1952 to 1958. Paul was twice appointed as a District Court Judge. In
March of 1958, Governor Herschel Loveless appointed Paul to fill the vacancy created by the
death of Judge H. C. Nichol. At that time, he was the first Democrat to serve as judge in the 11th
Judicial District since 1894! In 1958, judges were elected on partisan ballots and Paul lost the
nomination by a narrow margin. He then returned to private practice in a partnership under the
name of Hellwege & Bergen. Iowa subsequently adopted a different method of choosing judges - they were no longer on partisan ballots. In 1964, Governor Harold Hughes appointed Paul to
again serve as District Judge. He served in that capacity until 1981 when he chose to be a Senior
Judge -- and served in that position until 1990. On four occasions he served as a Faculty Advisor
at National Judicial College, Reno, Nevada.
Paul served as Charter President and member of the Board of Directors-Boone
Community Chest, Board of Directors of Iowa Lutheran Hospital, Madrid Home for Aging,
Boone Salvation Army Unit, District Chair of Broken Arrow District of B.S.A. (1957-59),
Director and President of Boone County AARP Chapter #1792, and for 30 years, a member of
the Church Council of Augustana Lutheran Church. He is also a member of The Heritage Club,
Augustana College, Sioux Falls, SD, and Old Capitol Club, University of Iowa.
Paul joined Rotary in 1948 and was President of the Boone Club in 1951-52. He has
served as a member of the Council on Legislation 4 different times; Ambassador Scholarship
Committee - 6 years; Group Study Exchange Committee - 3 years; Rotary Foundation
Committee - 3 years. He is a Paul Harris Fellow and a Rotary Foundation Benefactor. He was the
Rotary President's Representative at a District Conference in Springfield, MO, in 1985. He
chaired the club committee hosting the visit of President Carlos Canseco in 1984 and was chair
of the Boone club's 75th Anniversary party. In 1994, he was awarded The Rotary Foundation's
Citation for Meritorious Service. In 1995, he received a Foundation Major Gift Award for
contribution to the Permanent Fund of The Rotary Foundation.
1954-55, Continued
RI President:
Theme:
International convention:
District conference:
Conf. Co-Chair:
Plenary sessions:
Governor's banquet:
Luncheon:
Notable speakers:
Entertainment:
Herbert J. Taylor, Chicago, Illinois, USA
Six Objectives for 1954-55
1. Glean from the past and act
2. Share with others
3. Build with Rotary's 4-Way Test
4. Serving youth
5. International good will
6. Good Rotarians are good citizens
1954 Seattle, Washington, USA
Ottumwa
April 17-18, 1955
Hotel Ottumwa
Richard Hofmann and George Reed
First Presbyterian Church
Ottumwa Coliseum
Ottumwa Country Club
O.D.A. (Ollie) Oberg, Sydney, Australia. Director of RI for
1954-55 and President's Representative
"Rotary Around the World"
Leo A. Hoegh, Governor of Iowa
"Rotary and Government"
Elmer Schirmer, RI Extension Counselor, Freeport, IL
"Rotary-Verbal or Vital"
Richard Applegate, NBC Foreign Correspondent
"Have we lost the battle for Asia?"
Grinnell College Choir
Augustana College Choir
Ed. Note: The following song was included in the 1955 conference program book:
OH, ROTARY!
I know a club where peace abides, Where fellowship holds sway,
Where smile meets smile and handshake helps cheer life on its way.
Our band of men is chosen, And each must play his part,
That the drama we call "Rotary" will be played with all our heart.
Oh Rotary, Oh Rotary, Our motto calls to you,
He profits most who serves the best, And to fellow man is true
Oh Rotary, Oh Rotary, Preach faith and cheer and love,
Remember loyal service makes the blue sky shine above.
1955-56
Governor:
Club:
Nathan W. Keith
Newton
Nathan Keith, a jeweler, was born in Los Angeles,
California on June 25, 1890. He was educated in Des Moines and
attended the Capital City Community College. From 1907 to 1925
he was associated with Plumb Jewelry in Des Moines. From 1925
to 1927 he was a partner of Ed Swinney in a jewelry store, and from
1927- a partner in Keith-McLaughlin. In addition to Rotary
service, he was a member of the Chamber of Commerce, the
Amboy Grange, and the Congregational Church. His hobby
was family and gardening.
Nathan W. Keith
RI President:
Theme:
International Convention:
A. Z. Baker, Cleveland, Ohio
Develop our Resources
1955 Chicago, IL, USA
District Conference:
Davenport
April 15, 16, 1956
Blackhawk Hotel
Henry Meese
Outing Club
Dr. Allin W. Dakin, Iowa City, IA. Director of RI and
President's Representative
"What is Past is Prologue"
Millard G. Roberts, President, Parsons College, Fairfield, IA
"What Would Father Say"
H. Roe Bartle, Mayor, Kansas City, MO
Simpson Choir
International dances by representatives of Philippines, India &
Thailand
Ames Rotary Club Quartet
Conference Chair:
Rotary Ann lunch:
Notable speakers:
Entertainment:
1956-57
Governor:
Club:
Wallace E. Barron
Ames
Wallace E. Barron is Director of Alumni Affairs and
Executive Secretary of the Alumni Association of Iowa State
College in Ames, Iowa. Born in Ward, South Dakota, he was
graduated from State College.
He has been a member of the Rotary Club of Ames since
1937 and is a Past President of that Club.
Mr. Barron has served as a Director of the American
Alumni Council, and is currently a national officer of the Alpha
Zeta Fraternity agricultural honorary society.
RI President:
Theme:
International convention:
District Conference:
Conference Chair:
Conf. headquarters:
Plenary sessions:
Rotary Ann Tours:
Notable speakers:
Wallace E. Barron
Gian Paolo Lang, Livorno, Italy
3 Targets 1956-57:
1. Keep Rotary Simple
2. More Rotary in Rotarians
3. Learn More About Each Other
1956 Philadelphia, PA, USA
Des Moines March 30, 31, 1957
Joint conference with District 191
Robert W. Carney
D-193 Hotel Fort Des Moines
D-191 Hotel Savery
Veterans Memorial Auditorium
Salisbury House and Des Moines Art Center
Hon. Herschel C. Loveless, Governor, State of Iowa
Chet Huntley, NBC TV and Radio News Analyst of New York
"The World Situation Today"
Allin Dakin, 3rd Vice President of RI
"Rotary's Answer -- International Service"
Helen Irwin, Librarian, Equitable Life Insurance Co. of Iowa
"Share And Share Alike"
N. Bernard Gussett, President, Iowa Power and Light Co.
"The Atom and The Future"
Carl E. Bolte, Kansas City, MO, RI President's Representative
"Organization Key to Club Strength"
Hon. Phillip B. Gilliam, Judge of the Juvenile Court of Denver
"What's Wrong With People"
Dr. Murray Banks, New York City
"How to Live With Yourself"
1956-57, Continued
Entertainment:
The Hal March Variety Show
East High School A Cappella Chorus
Fort Dodge Rotary Club Male Quartet
Note: From the Rotary Club of Ames 75th anniversary program book:
Wallace E. (Red) Barron held practically every office from chairman of committees
through the Board of Directors, Secretary, Vice-President, and as President in 1948-49. Red
passed away in 1970 after having served Rotary for over thirty years. If friends were riches,
Wallace E. Barron was perhaps one of the wealthiest men in the world.
1957-58
Governor:
Club:
Lester R. Glover
Ottumwa
Notes from The Story of Iowa (Lewis Historical Publishing
Company):
If De Soto and Plymouth automobiles are popular in southeastern Iowa,
Lester R. Glover of Ottumwa has had much to do with making them so. An
automobile dealer since 1919, he has operated the Glover Motor Company at
Ottumwa since 1935. Today the showroom and used car lot extends for over two
blocks on Richmond Avenue.
Born in Blakesburg, on July 12, 1899, Lester was educated in that
community's public schools. In 1919, at the age of twenty, he entered his
Lester R. Glover
present field of operations at Blakesburg. From 1922 to 1931, he was a dealer
in Ford cars in his native city. In 1931, he decided to go into the larger market at Ottumwa, where for the next four
years he was a used car dealer. In 1935, he obtained the franchises for the De Soto and Plymouth cars from the
Chrysler Corporation and since then the Glover Motor Company has been operating with constantly increasing
success. Forty persons are employed in the selling, office, and service ends of the business. For the convenience of
his customers, the Glover Motor Company assists them in financing their automobile purchases through a finance
company of its own.
Holder of an outstanding place in the community, Mr. Glover is a member of the State of Iowa and
National Automobile Dealers associations, and president of the board of trustees of the Plymouth Congregational
Church. He is also a member of the Masonic fraternity, the Ottumwa Chamber of Commerce, and the Ottumwa
Country Club. He is independent in politics and photography is his hobby.
RI President:
Theme:
International Convention:
Charles G. Tennent, Asheville, North Carolina
Enlist - Extend - Explore - Serve
1957 Lucerne, Switzerland
District Conference:
Boone
Holst Hotel
Ralph E. Kirk
High School Auditorium
Boone Golf & Country Club
Edward V. Long, Bowling Green, MO, RI President's
Representative
Dr. Carl S. Winters, First Baptist Church, Oak Park, IL
Dr. Gaylord M. Couchman, Pres. University of Dubuque
Chord Queens
Leo Daeges and His Orchestra
Iowa State College YMCA Quartet
Boone Men's Civic Chorus
Conference Chair:
Plenary sessions:
Governor's Ball:
Notable speakers:
Entertainment:
1957-58 Continued
Note: During this era, it was common for prospective District Governors to circulate a
"campaign" brochure stating their background and qualifications. The following is an excerpt
from Lester Glover's:
We Introduce to You...
A ROTARIAN...
Lester Glover was president of the Ottumwa club in 1955, when his club was host to the
district conference ... He also has served as vice-president, director, and has headed many
of its key committees ... He represented District Governor Clarence Off at the
International Convention in Paris in 1953, and also attended the International Convention
in Seattle in 1954 ... He helped organize a new club, in Keosauqua, in 1955 ... He has
spoken at district assemblies, and has served on various district committees.
AN OTTUMWAN ...
He has served many years on the board of the Chamber of Commerce, and as vicepresident ... He has spent nine years on the chamber's industrial committee, several of
those as chairman ... He is now a member of the board of trustees of the Ottumwa
Hospital ... Is a member of the Masonic Lodge.
A BUSINESSMAN ...
Lester has been an auto dealer in Wapello County for 37 years ... In 1955 he received a
Key Dealer award, one of only 21 DeSoto dealers in the entire nation ... He was one of
eight DeSoto dealers in the United States to speak at a Dealer Forum last year in New
York City ... He has served two different years at the dealer-factory relations conference
in Detroit, representing a five-state area ... His Glover Motor Co. employs 42 people.
A CHURCH MEMBER ...
Lester Glover is a member of the Plymouth Congregational Church of Ottumwa, and of
its board of trustees ... He is a member of the American Board of Foreign Missions, of his
church, and of the executive committee of the board of the Iowa Congregational Church
Conference.
A TRAVELER ...
Lester knows something about the international aspects of Rotary because he knows
something about the international scene ... He has traveled extensively throughout
Canada, Mexico, Europe and the British Isles, and has attended Rotary Club meetings in
the many countries he has visited in addition to numerous states in the United States.
1958-59
Governor:
Club:
Kirby Webster
Marshalltown
Reverend Kirby Webster was born April 9, 1898 in
Massachusetts. He attended Phillips Exeter Academy; graduated
from Colorado State Teachers College; graduated from Episcopal
Theological Seminary at Cambridge, MA; ordained into priesthood
of The Episcopal Church in The Diocese of Maine in 1926. Kirby
served parishes in Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota and Illinois
before coming to Marshalltown in October, 1950. He served St.
Paul's Episcopal Church in Marshalltown for 16 years until he
retired in October, 1966.
Kirby liked people! People liked Kirby! He participated
Kirby Webster
in the community youth and civic organizations; became a Rotarian
in 1930 and was President of the Marshalltown Club in 1954; was President of the YMCA; was
President of the Board of Community Nursing Service; was chaplain at the Iowa Soldiers Home
from 1958-1960; was honorary chaplain of the Marshalltown Police Department; was active in
Boy Scout activities.
Kirby was also a veteran of both World War I and World War II; was a chaplain during
WW II; was awarded a purple heart and bronze star for his service in Belgium and Germany;
when discharged, he was the senior chaplain of the 1st Airborne Army Headquarters.
RI President:
Theme:
International Convention:
Clifford A. Randall, Milwaukee, Wisc.
Help Shape the Future
1958 Dallas, TX, USA
District Conference:
Iowa City
April 18-20, 1959
Iowa Memorial Union
Dorr Hudson
Conference Chair:
Registered attendance:
From outside the Host City
164 Men
97 Women
261 Total
From the Host City
103 Men
66 Women
169 Total
Total Registered Attendance
267 Men
163 Women
430 Total
Rotary Ann Luncheon:
Notable speakers:
University Club
A. Z. Baker, Cleavland, OH, Past RI Pres. and President's Rep.
Russell Brown, Iowa Commissioner of Public Safety
W. B. Henley, Los Angeles, CA
1958-59 Continued
Notable Speakers, Cont'd:
Entertainment:
Mrs. Merlin Adams, Quincy, IL
"What Rotary Means to Me"
Miss Joanne MacDonald, Ames, Miss Iowa 1959
James A. Van Allen, Professor of Physics, SUI
University Symphony Orchestra
Conference booklet contains a photo of a painting of Paul P. Harris with the notation that it was
Painted by Paul Trebilcock and Presented to the State University of Iowa by the Rotarians of
Iowa, 1938.
1959-60
Governor:
Club:
W. Ralph Taylor
Mt. Pleasant
Ralph was born on July 11, 1914 in Fairview, Illinois. He
attended the Fairview Schools, Western Illinois State Teachers
College and graduated in 1936 from the University of Illinois with a
Bachelor of Science in Agriculture Degree.
Ralph worked with various Farm Bureau Extension Services
and 4-H Programs before joining the management staff of Corn
Belt Hatcheries in Joliet, Illinois. Moved to Mt. Pleasant in 1951,
owned and operated Taylors Inc., a hatchery and farm supply retail
business for thirty years before retiring in 1981.
He was a member and elder of the Presbyterian Church.
Served on local, Presbytery and Synod committees. Was elected
Moderator of East Iowa Presbytery, Moderator of the Synod of
W. Ralph Taylor
Lakes and Prairies and served as treasurer of the Presbytery.
He was active in community affairs -- served on committees for the city, Iowa Wesleyan
College and the Southeast Iowa Symphony. Organized and was first President of both the Mt.
Pleasant Industrial Board and the Mt. Pleasant Community Chest. He was a recipient of the
James A. Harlan Award given by Iowa Wesleyan College in recognition of high achievement
and service.
Ralph was a Rotarian for fifty-two years having joined the Moline, Illinois Rotary Club
in 1941. Served on many local and District Rotary Committees. His interest in youth extended
to serving as coordinator in southeast Iowa for the American Field Service program -- Mt.
Pleasant hosted its first exchange student in 1958. When Rotary started its Youth Exchange
program his efforts turned to it. He was instrumental in starting his club's fund-raising activity, a
chicken barbecue. In 1967, he was named a Paul Harris Fellow, an award from the Mt. Pleasant
Rotary Club for his leadership and service. Ralph was a gourmet cook and he enjoyed
entertaining, traveling, and a good game of cribbage.
Ralph and Connie were married in 1937. They had two daughters, Patricia and Barbara.
RI President:
Theme:
International Convention:
Harold T. Thomas, Auckland, New Zealand
Vitalize! Personalize! Build Bridges of Friendship!
1959 New York, NY, USA
District Conference:
Mt. Pleasant
April 23-24, 1960
Iowa Wesleyan College
Sam R. Ewart
Conference Chair:
1959-60, Continued
Plenary sessions and
luncheons:
Rotary Anns:
Notable speakers:
Entertainment:
Iowa Wesleyan College Chapel
Brazelton Hotel
Harlan Hotel
Student Union First Methodist Church
First Methodist Church
F. Wayne Graham, Past Director of RI & President's Rep.
"Rotary As I See It"
Stephen Galatti, Director General, American Field Service
"How Rotary Can Help AFS in District 600"
John M. Bickel, Syracuse, NY
"Let's Live and Have Fun"
Brass Quintet, Parsons College
Travelogue: "Traveling with the Bradshaws", Henry and Vera
Bradshaw, Des Moines
Old Gold Singers, State University of Iowa
Humorous Skit by Iowa Wesleyan College Students
Teen Tones, Mt. Pleasant High School
Note: The Conference booklet contains names of 21 AFS students currently hosted in the
District. Governor Taylor had the following comment in the Official Conference Report:
At the opening of the conference there was some apprehension that participation in the program by so large
a group of American Field Service exchange students might detract from emphasis which should be placed on the
Rotary Foundation. This apprehension was completely dispelled and after the program all agreed that local
participation by Rotary clubs in friendship bridge building, through such programs as that of the A. F. S., our
international interest and understanding would be so stimulated that our own Rotary Foundation would be
increasingly supported by the clubs of the district.
It was apparent from the interest shown that practically every club in the district would try to have a student
from another country in their community in the coming year, thereby bringing to the local level more effectively
than in any other way, the importance of international service and understanding and thus increase the traffic on that
avenue of service so important at this time, International Service.
Note: The Conference elected Governor Ralph Taylor as representative of District 600 to the
Council on Legislation at the RI Convention to be held in Miami.
Note: Cumulative contributions of $49,776.45 to The Rotary Foundation (as of April 1, 1960)
are listed in the Conference booklet. A "plateau" system was in effect, and the leaders at that
time were:
Marshalltown
400%
$4,360.00
Carroll
300%
1,684.00
Chariton
200%
900.00
Creston
200%
1,418.00
Des Moines
200%
5,075.00
Nevada
200%
1,012.00
Perry
200%
1,533.50
1960-61
Governor:
Club:
Fred W. Johnson
Grinnell
Until his retirement in 1955, Fred W. Johnson was President
of Johnson McKean Company, Inc., a variety store in Grinnell,
Iowa. He was born in Belleville, Kansas.
A Rotarian since 1931, he is a former member of the Rotary
Club of Kearney, Nebraska, and in now a member and past
president of the Rotary Club of Grinnell. Mr. Johnson is chairman
of the City Planning Commission and a past chairman of the United
Fund Drive. During World War I, he served in the U.S. Army.
Fred W. Johnson
RI President:
Theme:
International Convention:
J. Edd McLaughlin, Ralls, Texas
You Are Rotary -- Live It! Express It! Expand It!
1960 Miami-Miami Beach, Florida, USA
District Conference:
Oskaloosa
Oskaloosa Senior High School
K. V. Stephenson
Conference Chair:
Registered attendance:
From outside the Host City
From the Host City
Total Registered Attendance
Governor's Banquet:
Other Dinners:
Rotary Ann Luncheon:
Notable speakers:
Entertainment:
263 Men
175 Women
438 Total
74 Men
66 Women
140 Total
337 Men
241 Women
578 Total
American Legion Hall
Neiswanger Cafe
Downing Coffee Shop
Elmhurst Country Club
C. L. Hoover, Junction City, KS, PDG & Pres. Rep.
Winston K. Pendleton, Falls Church, VA, PDG
"People and Rotary from a Point of View"
Dr. Marcus Bach, Iowa City, Professor, School of Religion
"Adventures in Faith"
Allin Dakin, Past VP RI
"Impressions From Japan"
Des Moines YMCA Boys' Chorus
SUI Scottish Highlanders
Bill McMains at the Organ
Oskaloosa High School Ensemble
Note: 30 AFS students listed in the program
1961-62
Governor:
Club:
Harold O. Hegland
Ames
Harold O. Hegland is senior partner in the law firm of
Hegland and Newbrough in Ames, Iowa. Born in Roland, Iowa, he
attended Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, and was graduated from
the state University of Iowa in Iowa City, Iowa.
In Ames, Mr. Hegland has been vice-president of the Junior
Chamber of Commerce, and the Chamber of Commerce,
Harold O. Hegland
city attorney, a committee member of the Municipal Hospital, and
president of the Community Chest. He has served as district chairman of the Boy Scouts of
America and as president of the Story County (Iowa) Bar Association.
Rotary service includes board member, secretary and president of the Ames Club,
delegate to two International conventions, and several district appointments.
RI President:
Theme:
International Convention:
District Conference:
Conference Chair:
Notable speakers:
Entertainment:
Joseph A. Abey, Reading, PA, USA
Act
Aim for action
Communicate for Understanding
Test for Leadership
1961 Tokyo, Japan
Ames
April 6, 7, 8, 1962
Memorial Union
Harold Pride
Phil Lovejoy, Past Secretary of RI
Lloyd "Holly" Hollister, Wilmette, IL, Treasurer of RI 1961-62
and President's Representative
Dr. James H. Hilton, President, Iowa State University
Hon. Ray C. Cunningham
"Pops Americana" presented by Herb Shriner and the
Iowa State Symphony Orchestra
Tolbert MacRae and Sextet
Rotary skit: Boone Club
Sig Ep Trio
Program booklet lists 51 clubs with a total of 3,212 Rotarians.
1962-63
Governor:
Club:
Richard N. Hoerner
Keokuk
Richard N. Hoerner is Board Chairman and Chief Executive
Officer of Hoerner Boxes, Inc., manufacturers of corrugated boxes,
Keokuk, Iowa. He was born in Eaton, Ohio, graduated from
Earlham College, Richmond, Indiana, with a bachelor of arts degree
in 1920, and from Harvard University, Cambridge, Mass., with a
Richard N. Hoerner
master of education degree in 1921. He holds honorary degrees from
Earlham and from Parsons College, Fairfield, Iowa.
A Rotarian for 34 years, he is a former member and past president of the Rotary Club of
Sand Springs, Oklahoma, and a present member of the Rotary Club of Keokuk.
In Keokuk, Mr. Hoerner is board chairman of the YMCA - YWCA, director of
Community Chest, vice-president of Graham Hospital. He is board chairman of Parsons
College, member of the board and chairman of the development committee of Earlham College,
board member of the Defense Orientation Conference Assoc., board member and executive
committee member of the Council of Profit Sharing Industries, and past president of the Fibre
Box Association, of which he is currently a director and member of the executive committee.
RI President:
Theme:
RI Convention:
Nitish C. Laharry, Calcutta, India
Kindle The Spark Within
1962 Los Angeles, CA, USA
District Conference:
Keokuk
Senior High School
LeRoy C. Watson
Keokuk Country Club; American Legion Hall
Trinity Methodist Church
St. Paul United Church of Christ
Keokuk Community College
Keokuk Country Club
Tour of Power House and trip through the Lock aboard the
US Coast Guard Cutter, Goldenrod; Ante Bellum Keokuk
Dr. Ben N. Saltzman, Mountain Home, Arkansas, RI Pres. Rep.
"Develop Your Powers"
Rabbi Julius Nodel, St. Louis, MO
"Discover Yourself"
Dr. Wesley N. Haines, Lewisburg, PA, PDG, Vice President,
Bucknell College
"Demonstrate Your Purpose"
Conference Chair:
Dinners at:
Plenary sessions:
Rotary Anns luncheon:
Tour:
Notable speakers:
1962-63, Continued
Entertainment:
"The Incomparable HANS CONRIED"
"The Vigortones", Male Barber Shop Quartet, District
Champions from Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Various musical groups from Keokuk Senior High School
Program booklet has a brief note about Rotary Pioneers -- which have had separate get-togethers
mentioned in previous conference booklets.
PIONEERS TO MEET SUNDAY -- Wallace "Red" Barron, PDG,
will be on hand sharply at 9 a.m. Sunday morning to greet all
PIONEERS for an hour of fun and fellowship. Rotarians with 20
or more years of membership are eligible. "Red" says, "You're
never too old to serve through Rotary". The Red Bandana is the
distinctive badge of the ROTARY PIONEER.
1963-64
Governor:
Club:
Watters A. Scott
Oskaloosa
A Rotary member for 18 years, Watters Scott was graduated
from Laurens, Iowa, High School, and holds a B.A. degree from the
State College of Iowa and an M.A. degree from the University of
Iowa. He will round out 40 years in the teaching profession in June
of 1963.
In Oskaloosa Rotary, Mr. Scott has been president; board
member; Chairman of program, community service, club service,
vocational guidance; and served on the youth committee. He has
attended six district and two international conferences.
His classification is senior active, and he has a perfect
Watters A. Scott
attendance record for 12 years, including make-up attendance in
London, Rome, Grosseto and Paris, and many cities in the United States.
His Oskaloosa activities include work in the Methodist Church, Red Cross, Scouting,
many teacher's associations, and he is a Master Mason.
RI President:
Theme:
International Convention:
Carl P. Miller, Honolulu, Hawaii
Meeting Rotary's Challenge in the Space Age
1963 St. Louis, MO, USA
District Conference
Conference Chair:
PDG dinner:
Plenary sessions:
Rotary Ann lunch:
Oskaloosa
April 10-12, 1964
Garold Heslinga
Murray's Supper Club
High School Gymnasium
Elmhurst Country Club
Dr. Herald Stark and his opera singers from Univ. of Ia.
"Make Room for Mother", production of Oskaloosa Women,
The Logan Players
Armory; BEEF-PIT-BAR-B-QUE
American Legion Hall
Wilbur V. Lewis, Kansas City, RI President's Representative
"Report on Rotary"
"Romance of Rotary"
Leon Montague, Evanston IL
"Turned Out to Grass"
Perle Mesta, Washington DC, Philanthropist, World Traveler
and Hostess
"Inside Washington"
Governor's banquet:
Sunday dinner:
Notable speakers:
1963-64, Continued
Entertainment:
Dreamettes, Marshalltown
All-Conference Men's Chorus
Old Gold Singers, University of Iowa
Dancing to The Continentals
Oskaloosa High School Chorus
1964-65
Governor:
Club:
Russell W. (Bunny) Harper
Ottumwa
Notes from an "older" Ottumwa Club directory:
Classification: Hardware - Builders.
Born Ottumwa February 15, 1915. Vice President,
Harper-McIntire Co. Wife, Elaine; one daughter, Diana
Kent Harper. Ottumwa public schools, Carleton College,
B.A. Ottumwan since birth. Rotarian since 1938; president
1960-61; Rotary International convention Miami 1960;
chairman, vocational craft assembly at Miami. Presbyterian.
Hobbies: golf, fishing.
Russell W. Harper
RI President:
Theme:
International Convention:
District Conference:
Conf. Co-Chairs:
Golf:
Rotary Anns:
Plenary sessions:
Conference dinner:
Notable speakers:
Entertainment:
Charles W. Pettengill, Greenwich,
Connecticut, USA
Live Rotary
1964 Toronto, ON, Canada
Ottumwa
Holiday Inn
John F. Rider and George H. Reed
Ottumwa Country Club
Ottumwa Country Club; golf and
bridge
Ottumwa Heights College Auditorium
Ottumwa Coliseum
George R. Means, General Secretary of Rotary International and
RI President's Representative
"A First Hand Experience"
"Rotary Around the World"
Donald O. Clifton, Lincoln NE, PDG, Associate Professor of
Psychology, University of Nebraska
"Service and Sacrifice"
Allin W. Dakin, Iowa City
"Where is Rotary Going"
John P. Howland, Sylvania, Ohio, PDG
"The District Governor's Views"
"Paint Your Wagon", Ottumwa Community Players
Des Moines YMCA Boy's Chorus and Bell Ringers
Ottumwa Heights String Ensemble
Special Rotary Chorus -- 80 sixth-grade students
1964-65 Continued
Conference registrations:
Rotarians
Guests
Total
197
168
365
Governor Harper had the following comment in his Official Conference Report:
Because violent weather and major flooding of the Mississippi River in seven cities of our district
combined to bring many disasters to much of our district right at the time of the conference, I feel that those who did
attend were most dedicated Rotarians, and showed great spirit. However, I cannot hide my keen disappointment in
the number of registrations.
Note: Bunny Harper was an avid golfer and promoted fellowship golf outings throughout the
District. For many years, the District has had an annual outing named "The Bunny Harper
Memorial Golf Tournament".
1965-66
Governor:
Club:
M. Robert Everetts (Resigned)
Washington
M. Robert Everetts, Washington, was the elected DG, however, he resigned as of July 31, 1965,
upon acceptance of an administrative position in a Dekalb, IL, school system. George H. Rigler
was appointed by RI President C.P.H. Teenstra to complete the term.
Bob Everetts, the popular owner of Everetts Music Store in
Washington, Iowa, received his B. Ed. at Western Illinois State
University, his M.A. at the Universities of Colorado and Wyoming,
and has had graduate work at the University of Iowa. He taught
school, directed the band, and coached athletics at schools in
southern and central Illinois. Later he was Dean of the Junior
College in Washington, and Principal of the High School.
Subsequently he served as Superintendent of Schools and resigned
to enter the retail music business in 1955.
Bob has been a member of the Board of Directors of the Washington Rotary three terms,
Vice-President of the club two terms, President of the Club in 1961-62, has worked on numerous
Rotary committees as Director and member, received annual Rotary Service Award as "Man of
the Year" in 1963, was on District Governor's Advisory Staff in 1962, led group singing at
several Rotary District Conferences, and has a five year perfect attendance record in Rotary.
1965-66
Governor:
Club:
George H. Rigler (Appointed)
Iowa City
George H. Rigler was born in Chicago, IL, May 7, 1897. In
1899, the family moved to Tipton, Iowa, and later to Iowa City. He
served in the U.S. Army Air Corps during WW I and graduated
from the University of Iowa in 1919 with a B.A. degree in
Commerce.
George H. Rigler
For the next five years he was associated with
N. W. Ayer Advertising Company. In 1924, he joined the Harris Trust and Savings Bank of
Chicago, starting in the bond department and later originated and headed the Research
Department. He retired as an officer of the bank.
On February 14, 1925, he married Sarah E. Cox of Iowa City. They made their home in
Kenilworth, IL, from 1930 to 1962, when they returned to Iowa City.
George was a Sunday School teacher; tenor soloist and choir member for 45 years; Elder
in the 4th Presbyterian Church of Chicago; Vestryman of Trinity Episcopal Church of Iowa City;
Board member of the Christian Industrial League of Chicago.
He was active in many civic organizations in Kenilworth, IL, and a member of Phi Beta
Kappa, Omicron Delta Kappa, and Sigma Alpha Epsilon. He was the founding director of the
Iowa Foundation and was its first president serving in that capacity from 1956 to 1960. In 1969
he resigned from the board because of ill health. The board of directors named him an honorary
lifetime director.
George joined Rotary in the Wilmette, IL, club. He was Governor of District 214,
Illinois, 1956-57, prior to moving back to Iowa City. Upon the resignation of Robert Everrets on
July 31, 1965, he was appointed by the RI President to serve the remainder of the 1965-66 term.
George Harold Rigler died aboard the S.S. ARCADIA on May 18, 1971 and was buried
at sea May 19.
RI President:
Theme:
International Convention:
C.P.H. Teenstra, Hiversum, The Netherlands
Action, Consolidation and Continuity
1965 Atlantic City, NJ, USA
District Conference:
Marshalltown
April 22-24, 1966
Tallcorn Motor Hotel
James A. Percival
Conference Chair:
Conference registrations:
Rotarians
Guests
196
123
Total
319
1965-66, Continued
Conference dinner:
Rotary Anns lunch:
Notable speakers:
Entertainment:
Marshalltown High School
Marshalltown Country Club
Carl E. Bolte, Kansas City, MO, Past RI Vice President, RI
Pres. Representative.
"Report on Rotary"
Allin W. Dakin, Iowa City, Past Vice Pres. RI
Elmer L. Andersen, St. Paul, MN, PDG & former Governor of
the State of Minnesota
Max Milo Mills
Frontier Singers, Marshalltown Community College
In his Official Conference Report, Governor Rigler gave considerable praise to the Rotary Club
of Marshalltown and, in particular, to Conference Chairman James A. Percival for his attention
to detail. An excerpt of his comment follows:
In my judgment, the outstanding feature of this conference was the superb organization work of the host
club. Every detail was not only planned, but, in some cases, actually rehearsed to insure smooth operation. ... With
such careful preparation, it was not surprising that the Conference ran smoothly.
Just to illustrate attention to details: promotional literature featured "Red Carpet Treatment", which was
used literally. Scores of yards of red carpet were laid in areas where Rotarians would naturally be walking. In similar
vein, every member of the Marshalltown Rotary Club wore a bright red coat throughout the Conference, and visitors
were directed to "ask the man in the Red Coat if you need anything.
Note: A District 600 Manual of Procedure was adopted at this conference:
Governor George introduced PDG Paul E. Hellwege of Boone who presented in printed form (a copy was
given to each person present) legislation proposed for action by the District Conference. This proposal and
recommendation, if enacted, would replace the present "Procedure". After discussion, it was moved by Paul
Hellwege and seconded by the Reverend Kirby Webster, that the proposal be accepted. Upon being put to a vote, the
motion was carried unanimously.
1966-67
Governor:
Club:
John D. Coolidge
Bettendorf
John is an alumnus of Drake University. He was active in
retailing up to the time of W.W. II. He served as a Naval officer
from 1943-1946 and was discharged as a Lieutenant Senior Grade.
John started with Younkers shortly after his discharge from
the Navy and served as manager of the Fort Dodge store from
John D. Coolidge
1947-1959. Later he became manager of the Rock Island store
and subsequently the one in Bettendorf where he is now stationed.
From December 1947 to April 1959, John was a member of the Fort Dodge Rotary Club
and later became a member of the Rock Island and Bettendorf clubs. He is a past president of
the Fort Dodge Club as well as the one in Bettendorf.
John is married and has three adult children. His gracious wife is Betty Ann.
RI President:
Theme:
International Convention:
Richard L. Evans, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
Better World Through Rotary
1966 Denver, CO, USA
District Conference:
Ames
April 3-5, 1967
Memorial Union
Conference registrations:
Rotary Ann tours:
Notable speakers:
Entertainment:
Rotarians
Guests
313
198
Total
511
Choice of:
Bourns Laboratories; Iowa State Highway Commission
University Campus; Program on home and family life in India
Commander David M. Evans, Batesville, Arkansas, RI
President's Representative
Dr. Samuel J. Rassmussen, Berkley, CA, Newspaperman
William J. Law, Montrose, PA, Originator, Youth Exchange
Program
Frank Miller, Nationally acclaimed cartoonist, Des Moines
Register and Tribune
New York Pro Musica; Rebekah Johnson, Nevada, Violinist
Cardinal Keynoters; ISU Stage Band
Chalmer Betty Roy
1967-68
Governor:
Club:
Ralph E. Kirk
Boone
Ralph Kirk was born in Boone in 1905. A graduate of Iowa
State University in ceramics engineering, he was elected to Tau
Beta Pi, honorary engineering society, and president of his social
fraternity, Kappa Sigma. He has been associated with Quinn Wire
and Iron Works since 1940 and has served as president of the
company since 1959.
Ralph has been a Rotarian for 27 years, serving as director,
secretary, and president of the Boone Club, and has participated in
many district conferences, serving as conference chairman in 1958.
He has attended several Rotary International conventions.
Ralph E. Kirk
He has an outstanding record of participation in community,
church and professional associations. Ralph and his Rotary Ann, Pauline, have one daughter,
Carolyn, whose husband, Dick Pigott, is also a member of the Boone Rotary Club.
RI President:
Theme:
International Convention:
Luther H. Hodges, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
Make Your Rotary Membership Effective
1967 Nice, France
District Conference:
Boone
April 19-21, 1968
Holst Hotel
Dr. Herbert C. Erbe
Conference Chair:
Conference registrations:
Rotarians
Guests
Total
Plenary sessions:
Rotary Ann lunch:
Notable speakers:
226
218
444
Boone High School; Ryan High School
Boone Golf & Country Club
Warren E. Kraft, RI President's Representative
"The Anatomy of a Rotarian"
"What's New in Rotary"
Otto Baasch
"Eight Days Behind the Iron Curtain"
Clark Mollenhoff
"Washington Investigation"
David M. Stanley
Paul Franzenburg
Jeanette Westfall, Iowa Partners of the Alliance
"About Mexico"
1967-68 Continued
Entertainment:
Tom Henry, Magician
Tap Dancer, Julie Sartor, ISU
String Ensemble, Boone High School
Cardinal Keynotes
1968-69
Governor:
Club:
Alson E. Braley
Iowa City
Al Braley was born in Iowa, attended college and medical
school in Iowa City, and in June 1931, with a fresh M.D. in his
hand, married Hazel Deming. After completing his ophthalmology
residency in 1937, he stayed on in Iowa City for two years as an
instructor in the Department of Ophthalmology. In 1939, the
Braleys moved to Detroit and he practiced ophthalmology with
Parker Heath and held an appointment as assistant professor at
Wayne State University. In 1941, he took a similar appointment at
the Eye Institute at Columbia Presbyterian College of Physicians
and Surgeons in New York. From 1943 to 1946, he served in the
Alson E. Braley
United States Navy and then returned to Columbia. In 1949, he was
appointed professor and head of the Department of Ophthalmology at New York University
College of Medicine. The following year he was persuaded to return to Iowa City and become
the head of his home department.
Braley brought corneal transplantation to Iowa in 1952, and he was a keen amateur radio
operator. It was natural for him to mix these two enthusiasms. From 1954 to 1961 he worked
toward the founding of the Eye Bank Association of America and was its president in 1971. In
December 1962, Braley and his fellow ham radio operator, Ted Hunter, started the Eye Bank
Network with 15 members. They would meet on the air every evening to chat and to direct
available donor eyes to ophthalmologists who needed corneas for keratoplasty. Under Braley's
leadership the University of Iowa Department of Ophthalmology grew to become an
internationally recognized center for ophthalmic research and teaching. Al retired in 1967.
RI President:
Theme:
International Convention:
Kiyoshi Togasaki, Tokyo, Japan
Participate!
1968 Mexico City, Mexico
District Conference:
Iowa City
April 10-12, 1969
Memorial Union
Rev. Robert Holzhammer and John Winnie
Conf. Co-Chair:
Conference registrations:
Rotarians
Guests
Total
PDG lunch:
PDG wives lunch:
Tour:
307
149
456
University Athletic Club
Whipple House, West Branch, IA
American College Testing Facility
1968-69, Continued
Notable speakers:
GSE Team:
Entertainment:
Richard Evans, Salt Lake City, UT, Past RI President
"What's the Difference"
"The Waiting Game"
James Van Allen, Professor of Physics, Univ. of Iowa
"Where Are We Going in Space"
Eugene L. Cubine, Assistant Dean of Students, Coordinator of
the Office of foreign Students and Visitor Services, ISU
"Improving International Relations through Education
Exchange"
To Norway -- 1969:
Kearney L. Frantsen, Lutheran Pastor, Des Moines
Brice C. Oakley, Lawyer, Clinton
Robert E. Mick, Technical Supervisor, Iowa Southern
Utilities, Centerville
Larry R. Cullison, College Professor, Mt. Pleasant
Larry B. Johnson, General Contractor, Clinton
David N. Orwig, Teacher-Farmer, Chariton
PDG Harold O. Heglund, Ames -- Group Leader
Frankie Masters Orchestra
Note: PDG Bunny Harper presented the following resolution to the conference
BE IT RESOLVED THAT: District 600 support the organization of MIDUS, the Mid-United States Group
of Rotary Districts for the Exchange of Students of the District to District Level and that the finance committee
budget $700.00 with a fee of $20.00 from each participating club for a full active district participation in the
program. He further moved its' adoption and upon being seconded the resolution was duly adopted by the district.
1969-70
Governor:
Club:
J. Wayne Douglass
Oskaloosa
John Wayne Douglass was born in Imperial, Nebraska, and
had lived in Oskaloosa since 1939. He was a retired manager at
Graham's Department Store, and was a member of the YMCA
board, the Chamber of Commerce, and the Oskaloosa Public
Library Board.
J. Wayne Douglass
RI President:
Theme:
International Convention:
James F. Conway, Rockville Center, NY
Review and Renew
1969 Honolulu, HI, USA
District Conference:
Oskaloosa
April 10, 11, 12, 1970
William Penn College Student Center
PDG Watters Scott
Conf. Prog. Chair:
Conference registrations:
Rotarians
Guests
Total
PDG lunch:
Ladies lunch:
Tours:
Notable speakers:
Entertainment:
254
221
475
Elmhurst Country Club
Elmhurst Country Club
Nelson Pioneer Farm
Mahaska Historical Museum
J. Lewis Unsworth, RI Pres. Rep.
"Personal Renewal in Rotary"
Larry Wilson, All Pro Back, St. Louis Cardinals Association
of Christian Athletes
"The Gaytones", Mt. Pleasant, International Queens of Harmony,
1968-69
Dorain and Ellis, America's Foremost Vocal Duo
William Penn Choral Group
Note: PDG Paul Hellwege, Boone, presented a proposed resolution to establish a fund to send a
Rotarian and his wife from District 600 to a matched district, and also provide for a return visit
by a Rotarian and his wife from the matched district. The following resolution was approved and
adopted:
1969-70 Continued
WHEREAS, the Rotarians of District 600 wish to contribute to international understanding in the most effective
manner possible without impinging upon the many laudable local club projects designed for this purpose, and
WHEREAS, the Rotary foundation has provided annually for an educational award within the District, and
WHEREAS, the District Scholarship seems no longer to be needed, and
WHEREAS, a result of the Group Study Exchange indicated the effectiveness of mature individuals serving as
ambassadors of goodwill between different countries, and
WHEREAS, there were many expressions that the wives should have accompanied the husbands for international
visits in order to add a further insight and aspect to the exchange of persons,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that all references to the District Scholarship be deleted from the Manual of
Procedure of District 600;
That provision be made in the Manual of Procedure of District 600 for a Paul Harris Special Project as a
memorial to the Founder of Rotary;
That this Project be established with funds formerly assigned for the District Scholarship and such other
funds that may hereafter be so assigned;
That this Project provide for a Rotarian and his wife to visit the Matched District to develop understanding
between them and District 600 and that subsequently a Rotarian and his wife be invited to District 600 at our
expense from the Matched District; that arrangements be made by the District Governors for home hospitality and
opportunity to know Rotarians in the respective areas;
That the District Governor Nominee each year arrange when at the International Assembly of Rotary
International for a Match with some other District of R.I. outside the U.S.A. and Canada; and
That the exchange of visits occur within the same Rotary year;
That the District Governor Nominee for the year 1970-71 arrange for a Matching District at the 1970
International Assembly so the Project can be fully operative during the Rotary year 1970-71;
That the Project be undertaken upon a pilot basis for two years with the intent to review its effectiveness at
that time and if successful to incorporated in the regular activities to be financed and undertaken by the Rotarians of
District 600;
That a special ad hoc committee be appointed by the District Governor to develop the details of operation
of the Project.
1970-71
Governor:
Club:
Fred E. Morain
Jefferson
From The Jefferson Herald, May 1, 1997:
Fred E. Morain, a native-born Jefferson resident, was born
Jan. 3, 1913, attended Jefferson schools and was graduated in 1931.
He attended the University of Iowa where he was elected to Phi
Beta Kappa and received his B.A. degree with highest distinction in
1935 and his Juris Doctor in 1937.
He returned to Jefferson and bought an interest in the
Jefferson Bee and Herald newspapers July 1, 1937 where he served
as editor and publisher for 40 years. When he retired in 1976, his
Fred E. Morain
son Rick succeeded him.
Fred was elected to Rotary in September 1937 and will complete 60 years of service in
September this year. He was club president in 1944-45 and district governor in 1970-71. He and
his Rotary Ann Lois and son Rick are all Paul Harris Fellows.
He was married April 9, 1939 to Lois Garver, Jefferson school music teacher. They
became parents of five children --- Rick, Bill, Steve, Tom and Debbie --- and 12 grandchildren.
Rotary Ann Lois died Aug. 28, 1989.
Fred has served as president of the Jefferson Chamber of Commerce and Jefferson
Industrial Development Board, the Iowa Governor's Human Rights Commission, and the
Jefferson School Board. He has been named a Silver Beaver in Scouting, and Iowa MasterEditor Publisher and was University Dad of the Year in 1970-71. He has been inducted into the
Jefferson-Scranton Hall of Fame and Jefferson's Mahanay Tower Hall of Fame.
RI President:
Theme:
International Convention:
William E. Walk, Jr., Upland, CA, USA
Bridge the Gaps
1970 Atlanta, GA, USA
District Conference:
Lake Okoboji, Iowa
September 11-13, 1970
The New Inn
Rotary Club of Jefferson, Louis Cardin, President
Hosted by:
Conference registrations:
Rotarians
Guests
Total
Tour:
Rotary Anns:
137
161
298
Lake tour on steamship "Queen"
Bus tour of Iowa Great Lakes area
Style show -- Fashions by Feldmann's, Des Moines
Models - American Academy Mannequins, Des Moines
1970-71 Continued
Notable Speakers:
Panels:
Paul Harris Couple:
Entertainment:
Gene Conklin, Hutchinson, KA, Past RI Director
Del R. Poling, Athens, GA, Director of the Center for Creative
Living and Spiritual Growth at Athens
"Bridging the Gaps in the 1970's"
Discussion Panelists - Law and Order:
Richard Turner, Attorney General of the State of Iowa
Dan Johnston, Chairman Legal Aid Committee, Iowa State Bar
Association
Arthur Sandeen, Vice President and Dean of Students, ISU
Clyde Brown, Student Iowa State University
Discussion Panelists - Pollution and the Environment
Jerry Ward, Nuclear Systems Engineer for Iowa Electric Light &
Power Company
Robert Bauman, Professor of Engineering at Iowa State
University, Consultant to the Federal Water Quality
Commission
Alden Erskine, State Senator from Sioux City, Conservationist
and Past President of Isaac Walton League
John Milhone, Editorialist, Des Moines Register & Tribune
District couple to South Africa presented by Allin Dakin,
Iowa City
Dinner music, the Jim Luchtels
1971-72
Governor:
Club:
Logan Reif
Kalona
President of Reif's, Inc., a Kalona department store, Logan
Reif climaxes years of service to Rotary with this year as District
Governor. He has attended and addressed clubs in several foreign
countries and recently returned from Sydney, Australia, where he
and Helen attended the Rotary International Convention and visited
their son Doug, who is there as a Rotary Exchange Student.
Logan Reif
RI President::
Theme:
International Convention:
Ernst G. Breitholtz, Nybro, Sweden
Good Will Begins With You
1971 Sydney NSW, Australia
District Conference:
Iowa City
September 10-12, 1971
Iowa Memorial Union
Conference registrations:
Rotarians
Guests
Total
Tours:
PDG dinner:
Notable speakers:
PH Couples:
Entertainment:
205
153
358
"Iowa's Amishland", a bus tour of Kalona and environs,
featuring visits to Old Order farm homes.
"Avocational", an automobile tour, with Mid-Prairie Junior High
School in Kalona as Information and Refreshment Center,
visiting homes of Kalona Rotarians featuring such hobbies as
Antique Glass and Buttons, Ceramics, Tropical Fish, Lapidary,
Numismatics, Pilatelics, etc.
"Art and Cultural Centers", a tour in Iowa City featuring the
University's new Art Gallery
"Golf", you may play Finkbine or Kalona golf course.
University Athletic Club
Carl E. Bolte, Kansas City, MO, RI President's Representative
Introduced South African & American Exchange Couples
Burt & Mavis Pfuhl, Cape Town, So. Africa
Mr. & Mrs Lynn Johnson, Chariton, Iowa
Rotary Coterie (Optional) The Athletic Club will be open to us
for dancing cards and refreshments
Party for exchange students at the Memorial Union
1972-73
Governor:
Club:
G. Keith Hawk
Knoxville
Keith Hawk is known throughout District 600 for his service
as Chairman of the International Youth Exchange Committee. He
is publisher of the two newspapers of Knoxville.
G. Keith Hawk
RI President:
Theme:
International Convention:
Roy D. Hickman, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
Let's take a new look -- and act
1972 Houston, TX, USA
District Conference:
Des Moines
Savery Hotel
March 30, 31, April 1, 1973
Rotarians
Guests
Total
235
175
410
Conference registrations:
Notable speakers:
Entertainment:
Ben F. Hormel, RI Director, RI President's Representative
Donald Kaul, Washington, DC, Columnist for The Des Moines
Register & Tribune
Mid-Prairie Stage Band
Notes: PDG John Coolidge was elected to represent District 600 on the Council on Legislation at
the 1974 convention.
15 new Rotarians were inducted at the Conference.
1973-74
Governor:
Club:
Henry B. Hook
Davenport
Henry B. Hook was born December 23, 1909. He graduated
from the University of Iowa in Journalism in 1933 and is a past
director of the Iowa Daily Press Association. He served as a Major,
82nd Airborn Division, World War II, and was awarded a Bronze
Star for service in the European Theater. Henry joined Rotary in the
Henry B. Hook
Mason City club in 1946. He was District Conference Program
Chairman for a Mason City Conference and served as vice president of the Mason City club.
Henry has been publisher of the Davenport Times-Democrat since 1952 and joined the Rotary
Club of Davenport in that year. He served as President of the Davenport Club in 1968-69.
Henry's achievements and service to his community and beyond comprise an endless list.
A partial list includes: Holder of American Cancer Society Medal for distinguished service in
cancer control as Iowa campaign chairman for four years and state president, 1956; President,
Davenport Chamber of Commerce, 2 years, 1957 and 1958; First President of Scott County's
combined United Fund and Community Chest organizations; Commissioner, secretary,
Davenport Municipal Airport since 1961; Organizer, director, Davenport Industrial Development
Group; President, Mississippi Valley Fair, 1963-66; President, Scott County Youth Honor Day,
Inc.; Regional Director, National Conference of Christians and Jews; Past director of Iowa Good
Roads Association; Director, Iowa Motor Club (AAA); Past president, Davenport YMCA;
President, Quad-City Development Group 1969-70; Past Commander, American Legion Post,
Mason City; Director, University of Iowa Alumni Association, 1957-65.
RI President:
Theme:
International Convention:
William C. Carter, Old Windsor, Berkshire, England
A Time for Action
1973 Lausanne, Switzerland
District Conference:
Bettendorf
March 9, 10, 1974
Jumer's Castle Lodge
Carter LeBeau
Conference Chair:
Conference registrations:
Rotarians
Guests
Total
Tours:
Notable speakers:
Entertainment:
256
175
431
Davenport Museum and Art Gallery
Dr. Gerald H. Fisher, Hot Springs, Ark., RI Pres. Rep.
Ann Landers, Newspaper Columnist
Bob Cook Combo
1973-74 Continued
Other:
District 600 "Gift Shower" for new Rotary Club of North Scott
Program book lists 12 Paul Harris Fellows in District 600:
J. Albert Kiedaisch (Deceased)
Keokuk
Wallace E. Barron (Deceased)
Ames
Kenneth M Wagner (Deceased)
West Liberty
J. Wayne Douglass
Oskaloosa
Earl D. McLaren (Deceased)
West Des Moines
D. A. Emery (Deceased)
Ottumwa
Gordon Keith Hawk
Knoxville
Allin Dakin
Iowa City
Carl Ripper
West Des Moines
Arl Levin
Knoxville
Fred Johnson
Grinnell
Henry Hook
Davenport
From the August 30, 1993, "Rotary Wheel", Rotary Club of Davenport:
WE MOURN THE LOSS of a great FRIEND - and a Rotarian's Rotarian
HENRY B. HOOK -- December 23, 1909 - August 13, 1993
Henry B. Hook - "Hank" - left his influence, positive attitude, leadership, direction and more - on virtually
every aspect of our community life -- and especially ROTARY! When Henry arrived on our Quad City scene as
Morning Democrat publisher in 1952, he immediately was a supporter of many proponents of good in the
community. In November of that year, Henry joined our Rotary club and was a stanch supporter and leader ever
since, directing most phases of Rotary at one time or another. As President in 1968, he attended the international
convention in Mexico City and one in Nice, France. He also became active in our southern Iowa District 600 affairs
and in 1973, we led a real fun campaign for him to become district governor, swamping the opposition at the
conference in Iowa City with huge membership attendance. This was Henry's trademark. Everything positive,
demonstrative! Securing new communities for Rotary clubs then was difficult. But Henry was going to do it in his
year as governor. So, on October, 1973, the Rotary Club of North Scott was chartered at a ceremony we shall never
forget. Henry invited every Rotarian from three districts around and secured as featured speakers, the Rotary
International President from London, England and the Governor of Iowa.
Also, when Henry accepted the challenge of a Rotary District Governor, he made the decision to retire a
year earlier to devote his complete time to the affairs of Rotary. He also established an office for this purpose at our
club's office, an office he never relinquished. His spirit, encouragement, advice and support he gave this secretary
and assistant will always be remembered in our hearts and sorely missed!
Some of the highlights of Henry's Rotary life just must be mentioned, though certainly he was an influence
on every part of Rotary. Henry was the top international service information authority for all members who attended
a new member indoctrination meeting for many, many years. He lent his speaking and influential abilities to several
of our past auctions by serving as auctioneer. He was also known for his help and caring of new members, who
must have been a bit overwhelmed at entering, for the first time, the Gold Rooms filled with over 200 people.
Henry always sought out these new members and made them feel "special and wanted." One such member told us
of her experience at her first Rotary meeting. She is Joyce Willis with the Davenport Community School District.
A poem written by Joyce follows:
1973-74 Continued
HENRY HOOK
With a smile, taste, a kingly kind of grace
A look, a wink, a word to make you think.
A touch, a laugh, a banter in the air
He made you feel welcome, warm and glad to be there.
No frowns, no stares, no silence, as if you didn't exist
He took life as it came, head on, fist to fist
But a gleam, a glint and sometimes on the cheek - a kiss.
"Hi glad to see ya, thought about ya last week"
Oh those words how wonderful, how marvelous, how sweet.
Joyce Willis
Of course, all will remember the "Tom and Jerry" meetings at the end of every year, where everyone
"especially" relaxes and enjoys the best of fellowship. Henry WAS those meetings. Henry WAS Rotary fellowship
personified! And he also WAS the program that day! His "Focus Pokus" stock market game was a "Hook" game
and his wit pushed us into the new year with renewed spirit.
With all he gave to us, it might sound as if Rotary was Henry Hook's complete life. Not so, as we know he
gave equally to so many aspects of our community endeavors. To name a few close to Henry's heart, there
was the Chamber of Commerce, the Municipal Airport, the Q.C. Development Group, the Davenport Area
Foundation, the Broadway Theatre League, Marycrest College (who bestowed a doctor of Humane Letters degree
upon him in recognition of his leadership), the Scott County Family Y, many facets of Masonry, and though it
appeared all were dear to him, we just wonder if the Red Cross, the Mississippi Valley Fair and the AAA Motor
Club of Iowa were sort of tops. Of course, Henry was a journalism grad of old SUI (who awarded him with their
Distinguished Alumni Award in 1984), and he probably was the Hawkeyes' number one fan.
What to say in parting with such a wonderful person as Henry Hook, and how to inject all the emotions, is
most difficult. Therefore, I submit this memorial tribute to Henry B. Hook with much humility. It's so hard to say,
"Goodbye, Henry".
Secretary Bob Bawden
1974-75
Governor:
Club:
R. Lynn Johnson
Chariton
Lynn Johnson, 36, is a life-long resident of Chariton,
graduated from Iowa State University school of engineering in
1963, served in the United States Marine Corps, and is VicePresident of Johnson Machine Works of Chariton, a major Iowa
industrial plant in the steel fabrication field with international trade.
He is also the pilot for the company airplane, making flights
throughout the U.S. conducting business for the company. Lynn is a
member of Phi Kappa Psi; member of the Taxation Committee of the
R. Lynn Johnson
National Association of Manufacturers; member of Chariton Airport
Commission; Director of Lake View Golf and Country Club; Past president and member of
Chariton Toastmasters Club; Trustee of his church and a Sunday School teacher. His Rotary
service includes service as District Governor's Area Representative; represented District 600 in
South Africa on the Paul Harris Couple Exchange together with his wife, Judy; personally visited
half of District 600 clubs reporting on the African trip. He has also served on the Paul Harris
Couple Exchange Committee and the Group Study Exchange Committee.
RI President:
Theme:
International Convention:
William R. Robbins, Port St. Lucie, Florida, USA
Renew the Spirit of Rotary
1974 Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN, USA
District Conference:
Des Moines May 2-4, 1975
Adventureland
Ken Crist
Conference Chair:
Conference registrations:
Rotarians
Guests
Total
Tours:
Notable speakers:
PHF:
Entertainment:
201
305 (includes 99 children)
506
Merle Hay Mall, Salisbury House, Valley Junction
Wilber V. Lewis, Kansas City MO, RI President's
Representative, Chairman, 1975 Rotary Institute Agenda
Committee
Dr. Mouzon Biggs, Jr., Beaumont, TX
"Being a Person Who Makes a Difference"
Robert Garton, Indiana State Senator
"Thru A Glass Darkly"
Program book lists 18 PHF in the district
The Scott Smith Trio
The Aeolian Singers
1974-75 Continued
The Board of Directors of RI was interested in the thinking of Rotarians as expressed in
discussion groups at the district conference. The general topic was "How will Rotary Clubs face
the final quarter of the century?" The Official Conference Report contains the following
transcripts of oral reports:
Topic:
Reporter:
The Effect of Early Retirement
Dave Sprunger, President, Ft. Madison Rotary Club
It looks like a lot of our Rotarians have retired early. We looked at the effect of Rotary retirement from the
four standpoints. The effect on the family, industry, society and the community. I don't know that in the short time
that we had we really covered all four of these areas and the remarks are in no particular order. It was felt that there
was an opportunity for husband and wife involvement in the community or in civic affairs more so after retirement
than prior to that time. Also it afforded an opportunity for more enjoyment of leisure time by husband and wife. And
further it afforded closer ties between them. It was also felt that the community benefited from early retirement from
the standpoint that the individuals could become active in organizations that they would not be able to otherwise. It
also allowed an opportunity for others to become involved in the business community. It opened up jobs for younger
people in industry as well as small businesses. It also afforded that early retirement could afford relief of pressure.
This again might vary with the occupation. Someone suggested that for every ear retired prior to the age of 65 that it
added 2 years after 65. On the negative side it was indicated that there might be a problem pacing oneself after
retirement and therefore it was essential that one properly prepare for retirement both mentally and financially prior
to that time. It was also pointed out that retirement was not for everyone. Some people must continue working if
they are going to stay active and healthy. It was also pointed out that to properly take care of retirees there was a
need for social activities and accommodations within the community; housing, etc. It was pointed out that retirees
can be a source of valuable assistance to the community such as speakers in the schools and so on. And the last, it
was felt that in some cases it afforded an opportunity to take up a second occupation which might be more
enjoyable. For example, you might turn a hobby into a second occupation after you retire from your primary work.
Topic:
Reporter:
The Effect of an Increasingly Mobile Executive and Professional Population
Gene Leedom, President, Ankeny Rotary Club
One of the positive feelings along this area on this subject was with the mobility of a town or community
they would be able to pool their skills or knowledge. Specifically speaking doctors' clinics and dental clinics, etc.
Various doctors and dentists could gather together and pool knowledge. Also they could pool physical equipment.
This would also make it possible that if one of them wanted to retire they could do so and not disrupt the practice. A
negative feeling in this same area was that the patients or population would lose the personal contact and then it
would become very impersonal so to speak each person would become a number in the practice. But it was also felt
that overriding the impersonal factor would be the quality of practice would improve tremendously with the pooling
of the knowledge. Another positive feeling was that there would be a stronger input into the city or school
government of the community with the executive level, the professionals moving into the community. It made it
possible to get new blood into the city council or the school board and again the negative side would be that some
reluctance of a very qualified executive of a large corporation to take part in the city government or school
government because he would have the knowledge or feel that perhaps within a year or 18 months he would be
transferred so there would be no point in throwing himself into the work of the community. Another negative in the
same line was that the homeowners or this type of city resident would hesitate to take part or to be in favor of any
improvements that might create an increase in taxes because he is looking down the road maybe a year or a year and
a half anticipating selling his home at that time and who do anything to create additional taxes that might make it
more difficult to dispose of his property at such a time. Also it was mentioned that in the case of the board of
corporations and banks or perhaps savings and loans there would be a reluctance to appoint a mobile type person on
the board because they would lose them before they could become completely knowledgeable as to the practices or
policies of the board or the bank. One other point was made that mobility is causing a change of
1974-75 Continued
ownership of local companies. Companies that have been home owned for 50 years or what have you and now we're
seeing these companies become a part of national conglomerates. Thereby removing them from the area of local
ownership and making them more impersonal to local populace.
Topic:
Reporter:
The Effect of Inflation
Donald Vander Vennett, President-Elect, Bettendorf Rotary Club
Our session seemed to take on the beginnings at least of a good news and bad news routine. The good news
being that in this matter of inflation our homes are worth more now than they were worth 5 or 10 years ago when we
built or bought them. Inflation has brought up the value and for others of us with our employees we get the cost of
living increases. Those are always nice to have that added percentage in the paycheck. However, the bad news, it
costs $2,000 more to support a family of 5 now than it did 2 years ago. I don't think we had to belabor the effects of
inflation as such because we are all so personally aware of them. But we got then into the area of why. Why
inflation? It seemed to be consensus that excessive government spending is the basic cause of inflationary spiral that
we are in and this in 2 particular areas. The area of public employees as well as government programs pressuring the
legislators into additional doles which only serve to feed the problem. Public servants and public programs; those
seem to be the major thrusts in our group discussion. We tried then to get into the area of solutions of the problems.
Topic:
Reporter:
The Effect of Corporate Mergers and Decline of Single Proprietors
John Harper, President, Des Moines Rotary Club
Most of the discussion was on why we are having corporate mergers. Two points were made. There was a
feeling that the government is forcing mergers by making it harder to do business. The government agencies are
stifling small business and are forcing them into mergers or to go out of business. Impact of individual income
taxation is making it more difficult to start a single family business or single proprietor business. I think there were
three points made that possibly might try to explain our topic. 1. Stifling new ideas because corporations don't
experiment like individuals and are slow to commit themselves. 2. It will cause corporations to have in the future
more of a social consciousness than they had had in the past. 3. Since it takes a big company to attract working
capital, there will be less available for small businesses in the future.
1975-76
Governor:
Club:
Albert M. Efner
Ottumwa
Notes from an Ottumwa Club directory:
Classification: Newspaper Publishing
Al served as Club President from 1961-1962. Born
September 7, 1906 in Albia, he attended Parsons College; is
retired publisher of the Ottumwa Courier; and is married to
Mary L. Emery. Al is a member of First Presbyterian
Church, Elks Club, and Ottumwa Country Club, as well as
being President of Indian Hills Community College Board
Albert M. Efner
of Trustees, past President of Ottumwa Area Development
Corporation, past President of Chamber of Commerce, and has headed both YMCA and
United Fund. Hobbies: Stamp and cover collecting and
gardening.
RI President:
Theme:
International Convention:
District Conference:
Conference theme:
Conference Chair:
Ernesto Imbassahy de Mello,
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
To Dignify the Human Being
1975 Montreal PQ, Canada
Ottumwa
April 23, 24, 25, 1976
Holiday Inn
What Can I Do?
Harry Carter
Conference registrations:
Mary Efner
Rotarians
Guests
Total
278
266
544
Governor's Comment: As to the nine clubs not represented at conference -- "Because of a much larger crowd
than expected for the opening night Chuck Wagon dinner, the Registration Committee feels it might have missed
some who attended then, so cannot be certain of the accompanying list. Also, we had a terrific rainstorm that same
night, and Rotarians from at least a couple of clubs had to turn back because of flooding highways. But this is close.
Social event:
Rotary Ann lunch:
Plenary sessions:
Governor's banquet:
Indian Hills Community College
Chuck Wagon Barbecue, Square and
Round Dancing
Ottumwa Country Club
Holiday Inn
Ottumwa Coliseum
Ottumwa Coliseum
1975-76, Continued
Notable speakers:
Entertainment:
GSE Team attending:
Listing of PHF:
Exchange students:
James H. Dana, Oak Brook IL, RI Pres. Rep.
Frederic B. Farrar, New York NY
"This Common Channel to Independence;
Revolution and Newspapers"
Rabbi Jay A. Holstein, Professor of Bible and Jewish Studies,
University of Iowa
"Can We Save the American Soul"
Jack Paris and his orchestra "The Stepchildren"
Movie, "The Challenge", produced in cooperation with the
Rotary Club of Chicago
Baton solo, Jane Stemmerman, Cedar Falls,
Iowa's 1976 Junior Miss
Bob and Marti Smith, Ottumwa musicians
Katherine Henjum, Simpson College, soloist
6 men from D-449 in Brazil
39 listed for D-600
Not listed, however 3 were selected to speak briefly
Lunch & swim party at YMCA
Bowling Party
Junior-Senior Prom at Ottumwa High School
Note:
Housing arrangements included a camp ground for trailers & motor homes
Note:
The Conference elected PDG John Coolidge as District 600 representative on
the Council on Legislation.
1975-76, Continued
Note: Most program books contain the lyrics for several songs -- this one includes the following
3 songs, along with others more familiar:
THAT ROTARY WHEEL
(Tune: "Peggy O'Neil" - Key of C)
Bands of blue and spokes of gold
That Rotary Wheel.
Turning fellowship to all,
That Rotary Wheel.
Serve the power that makes it go around
Serve and each turn with joy will rebound
Blend personalities, binds nationalities
That Rotary Wheel.
SING A SONG TO ROTARY
(Tune: "Maine Stein Song" - Key A Flat)
Sing a song to Rotary
Shout 'til the rafters ring;
Stand and give a cheer once again
Let every loyal man now sing.
Sing to all the happy hours
Hail to the cheerful days;
Here's to Rotary forever,
Its memory in our hearts always.
1975-76, Continued
STODOLA PUMPA
Far in the hills I hear the nightingale
Singing a song that brings home back to
me. Three years ago at home I left my
love. Still she is waiting, waiting
there for me. HEY!
CHORUS
Stodola, stodola, stodola pumpa.
Stodola, stodola, stodola pumpa.
Stodola, stodola, stodola pumpa.
Stodola pumpa, pum, pum, pum.
Three years to wait is much too long for
My love and I, we now could married be.
Yes, she and I, we now would have a son,
Strong and so handsome, handsome just
like me! HEY!
(Chorus)
Son when you're grown, you must not stay
at home. Into the army you will come
with me. Here in the army you will learn
to drill. When you are good, then you can
march with me! HEY! (Chorus)
(After last verse repeat chorus very softly.)
Ed. note: Many thanks to Don Goering (Ames) for providing me with the music to the above song. The score
reveals this is a Czech Folk Song and that "Stodola Pumpa" means barn pump.
1976-77
Governor:
Club:
Ralph E. Patterson, Jr.
Ames
Pat is professor and director of engineering extension at
Iowa State University and was president of his Ames club from
November 1970, to July of 1972. He also is a former member of
the Boone Rotary Club and was president-elect when he moved to
Ames in 1956. In both Boone and Ames he has been active in
community, church and school affairs. Pat and Margaret have two
married children.
RI President:
Theme:
International Convention:
District Conference:
Conference Co-chair:
Ralph E. Patterson, Jr.
Robert A. Manchester II,
Youngstown, Ohio
I Believe in Rotary
1976 New Orleans, LA, USA
Ames
April 29-30, May 1, 1977
Scheman Continuing Education
Building
House of Friendship - Ding Darling
Room
Floyd Arnold and Waldo Wegner
Margaret Patterson
Conference Theme:
Social event:
Governor's banquet:
Rotary Ann luncheon:
Notable speakers:
PHF:
Entertainment:
I Believe in Rotary. Do You?
Golf - Veenker Golf Course
Bridge Tournament
Tour of Brunnier Gallery
Roast pig barbecue - ISU Armory
ISU Memorial Union
South Ball Room - Memorial Union
Kiyoshi Togasaki, Tokyo, Japan, RI Pres. 1968-69, Rotary
Foundation Trustee 1976-77, RI Pres. Rep.
Program lists 51 men and 2 women as PHFs
Cardinal Keynotes - ISU
Note: A camping committee was included in the conference planning.
1977-78
Governor:
Club:
Eugene R. Melson
Jefferson
Gene is a lawyer, has been president of his Jefferson Rotary
Club and has served on numerous club and district committees. He
is a graduate of Simpson College, the Northwestern University Law
School, is a well known singer and choir director, practiced law in
Chicago, served in the Navy and earned six battle stars in World
War II, and has been back in his native Jefferson since 1946. Gene
and Sara are the parents of six children.
Eugene R. Melson
From The Jefferson Herald, May 1, 1997
Eugene R. Melson was born on January 18, 1914, in Jefferson, and
attended Jefferson Schools, graduating from high school in 1931. He attended
Simpson College majoring in Economics and Business Administration, and
graduated with a B.A. degree in 1935. His interest in vocal music developed
there, and was an important activity through life.
During college he became business manager of the college paper, and
was president of his fraternity. He entered Northwestern University School of
Law in Chicago, and received J.D. degree in 1938. Semi-professional vocal
music brought his acquaintance with Sara M. Blosser, and they were married in
1939 in Chicago. They were parents of seven children, six of whom survive.
Legal employment was scarce in 1938, and he became tax consultant to
a small fire insurance group specializing the canning industry. In 1942 he became
Sara Melson
field attorney for the National Labor Relations Board, based in Kansas City, and
in 1943 received a commission in the Naval Reserve. He served 31 months, twenty-three of it in the Pacific area,
and was in Tokyo Bay at the time of the Japanese surrender.
He and the family moved to Jefferson in 1946, and he was City Attorney, County Attorney, and Republican
Party County Chairman in the 1950's, and practiced law there until 1980. He was elected to Rotary in 1962, was
club president 1969-70, and after several district assignments was district governor 1977-78.
During his year as governor, the district contribution to the Rotary Foundation was more than doubled, and
doubled again the next year when he was District Foundation Chairman. His Rotary Ann, Sara, also contributed
significantly to the increases by editing and publishing a cookbook with the help of many district Rotary Anns.
For years before he was district governor, he was an advocate of opening Rotary to women. He now says
he thinks it was the best thing that ever happened to Rotary, positioning Rotary for another 100 years of successful
service.
RI President:
Theme:
International Convention:
W. Jack Davis, Hamilton, Bermuda
Serve to Unite Mankind
1977 San Francisco, CA, USA
District Conference:
Des Moines
March 31, April 1-2, 1978
Hilton Inn
1977-78, Continued
Conf. Co-Chairs:
Conf. Theme:
Conference registration:
Tour:
Notable speakers:
Exchange Students:
RI Scholars:
PHF:
Entertainment:
Ken Baker, Don Zhorne, Ted Gibson
Unity in Service
Rotarians
191
Guests
180
Total
371
Salisbury House
Luther Ford, Minneapolis, MN,
RI President's Representative
Dr. Paul Barcus, Professor, College of Engineering, ISU
"Icebergs, a Dream or a Promise"
12 listed
7 listed as studying in the district
80 listed
Earle Ferguson, Bethesda-Chevy Chase MD, Vice-President for
new music of the Rotary International Music Fellowship
Simpson Madrigal Choir
1978-79
Governor:
Club:
Conley J. Biddle
West Des Moines
Conley J. Biddle was born September 6, 1907, in
Bondurant, Iowa. He is an ordained minister of the Christian
Church (Disciples of Christ) and a graduate of Drake University
and the Drake Divinity School. He served for 45 years in the
Christian Ministry at six churches in Iowa and one in Colorado. He
retired in October 1970 from a fourteen year ministry with the First
Christian Church of West Des Moines.
He served for 25 years on the State Board of the Iowa
Christian Churches Association; 2 years as the President of the
Iowa
Christian Churches State Convention; 1 year as the President of the
Conley J. Biddle
Iowa Christian Church Ministers Association; 15 years as a member
of the National Dean's Staff for summer youth conferences of the
Christian Churches; and 3 years as the President of the Drake
University Divinity School National Alumni Association. He has
also served as a member of the Citizens Committee for the West Des
Moines Public Schools, and as a member of the Board of Directors of
the West Des Moines Y.M.C.A. Conley has written and published
three books.
Conley is a Paul Harris Fellow and a Rotary Foundation
Benefactor. He served as the President of the West Des Moines
Rotary Club in 1959-60 and was the Secretary of the club for five
years. He has also served on every committee of the club since he
became a Rotarian in January, 1957. He served on many District 600
Vera Biddle
committees before and after he was elected as District Governor.
In 1978, Conley preached the sermon for the Sunday morning service at the RI zone 3 and 9
Institute at French Lick, Indiana. He served on RI President James Bomar's Research and
Advisory Committee in 1979-80. Conley was elected in 1980 and again in 1983 to serve as the
District 600 Representative to the RI Council on Legislation.
RI President:
Theme:
International Convention:
Clem Renouf, Queensland, Australia
Reach Out
1978 Tokyo, Japan
District Conference:
Des Moines
May 4-6, 1979
Hyatt House
Reach out - Stand Tall - You Are A Rotarian
Elmer P. True
West Des Moines
Randall E. Winters
Des Moines
Charles H. Gabus
Northwest Des Moines
Conference theme:
Conf. Co-Chairs:
1978-79, Continued
Conference and
District Treasurer
Conference registration:
Social event:
Notable speakers:
GSE Team attending:
RI Scholars attending:
Exchange students:
PHF:
Entertainment:
Bill M. Reese
Rotarians
325
Guests
330
Total
655
All Conference Barbecue at Living History Farms
Tour of Living History Farms
Soli S. Pavri, Bombay, India, RI President's Representative
"Report on Rotary"
Dr. John E. McCaw, Professor of Religion, Drake University
"The Strength of the Nation"
Robert and Ramona McKee, Adel Rotary Club, Paul Harris
Exchange Couple to D-230 Norway
Philip & June Boobyer, Paul Harris Exchange Couple from
D-103 Durham, England
Mrs. Ruth Schuler, Buyer for Joseph's Jewelry Store
"Today's Treasures - Tomorrows Antiques"
D-185 Germany
Five
22 listed
Program book lists 120 PHF and 61 Sustaining
"Troubadours", Oskaloosa Rotary Club
Sweet Adelines Chorus
The Rotary Foundation report for the period ending February 28, 1979, shows that cumulative
contributions from District 600 had reached $320,247.77. Clubs that had reached or exceeded the
plateau level of 1000 were:
Ames
1000
Boone
1000
Carroll
3400
Corydon
2700
Des Moines
1600
Grinnell
1100
Jefferson
1300
Kalona
1400
Knoxville
1100
Marengo
1000
Marshalltown
1700
Muscatine
1600
N.W. Des Moines
1400
Ottumwa
1500
West Des Moines
1000
1979-80
Governor:
Club:
David L. McPherren
Oskaloosa (Rose Hill)
David L. McPherren is President of his own firm of
marketing consultants and representatives. A third generation
Rotarian, he has served as President of the Oskaloosa Rotary Club,
on numerous club and district committees, and as a Representative
for three District Governors. He is a Paul Harris Fellow. A past
officer of the American Marketing Association, Dave has also
served as a long time leader in Scouting, Masonry, and Church activities. David McPherren
He and his Rotary Ann, Dee, live on an acreage East of Oskaloosa.
They are the parents of three grown children.
RI President:
Theme:
International Convention:
District Conference:
Conference theme:
Conf. Co-Chair:
Conference registration:
Social event:
Rotary Ann Lunch:
Notable speakers:
PHF:
YE students:
RI Scholars:
PH Couple:
James L. Bomar, Jr., Shelbyville,
Tennessee
Let Service Light the Way
1979 Rome, Italy
Oskaloosa
May 2-4, 1980
Student Union, William Penn College
Rotary Cares
Bob Jones and John Wonderlich
Rotarians
257
Guests
181
Dee McPherren
Total
438
Barbecue, Lodge, Lake Keomah State Park
District Talent Review
First Christian Church
Speaker: Connie McBurney, KCCI-TV's Weather Person
Jack E. Burklew, Melbourne Beach, FL, RI Pres. Rep.
"The President's Theme"
Dr. Robert McBride, President, Simpson College
175 listed
17 inbound listed
18 outbound listed
8 inbound listed
1 outbound listed
Marvin and Janice Walter, Ames, currently in D-103
Durham, England
1979-80, Continued
GSE Team:
Entertainment:
To D-185, Germany
Dr. David Paul, Rotarian Leader, Iowa City
John Douglas, Norwalk
Jurgen Duhr, Clinton
Albert Hermann, Knoxville
Gary Barlett, Ames
Steven Gangstead, Des Moines
"A Night on Broadway", Dorraine and Ellis
Plenary sessions included "Playlets":
Club Service
"The Man Who Didn't Work Out" - Ottumwa Club
"The Starting Point" - Oskaloosa Club
Special recognition was given to the district's newest club, Altoona (East Polk).
1980-81
Governor:
Club:
Lloyd A. Knowler
Iowa City
Lloyd has been a member of the Iowa City Rotary Club
since 1945 and has served the club as a member of numerous
committees, and is a Past President of the Club. He served for
many years as the chairman of the Department of Mathematics and
Astronomy at the University of Iowa. He served in the Iowa State
House as Actuary for the Old Age Assistance program. He is a member
of the American Academy of Actuaries, the American Society for
Quality Control. He served the Blue Cross-Blue Shield of Iowa for
many years as a member of the Board of Directors, and management
committee. Lloyd and his Rotary Ann, Faith, are the parents of two
grown children.
Lloyd A. Knowler
RI President:
Theme:
International Convention:
Rolf J. Klarich, Helsinki, Finland
Take Time to Serve
1980 Chicago, IL, USA
District Conference:
Iowa City
May 8-10, 1981
The Highlander Inn
Arthur W. Boerner
Faith Knowler
Paul McNutt, Vice-Chair
Art Museum, Hancher Auditorium,
Museum of Natural History, Old Capitol, Shopping and University
Hospital
Via own transportation: Herbert Hoover National Historic Site
William R. Robbins, Fort Lauderdale, FL, RI Pres. Rep.
Louis A Haselmayer, President of Iowa Wesleyan College
"Education for the 1980's"
Des and Margaret Cook, D-978 New Zealand
Robert and Betty Stein, Iowa City, to New Zealand in 1981-82
6 from D-978 New Zealand
18 listed
3 listed
Carroll Maxwell Johnson, Vocalist
Johnson County Landmark, University of Iowa Jazz Band
"Iowa: A Place to Grow", Dr. William B. Oglesby, Iowa City
Conference Chairman:
Tours:
Notable speakers:
PH Couple:
GSE team:
YE students:
RI Scholars:
Entertainment:
Note: Official RI report of conference attendance, which is maintained in comparative form
from year to year, does not have any attendance data for the 1981 district conference.
1981-82
Governor:
Club:
Donald A. Koch
Indianola
Don's Rotary classification
has been "Higher Education." He
has distinguished himself
professionally through many years
of teaching American and English
literature, having just retired from
twenty years of chairmanship of the
English Department and Humanities
Division of Simpson College,
Indianola, Iowa. Internationally,
Donald A. Koch
Ruth Koch
Don served one year as a Fulbright
visiting professor at the University of Sao Paulo, Brazil.
Don has also held public office as Councilman-at-large, President of Council, and Mayor
pro tem among numerous others. He is a member of the Methodist Church, a 32nd degree
Mason, a former Cub Scout and Boy Scout Master, and is active in professional societies.
RI President:
Theme:
International Convention:
Stanley E. McCaffrey, Moraga, CA, USA
World Understanding and Peace Through Rotary
1981 Sao Paulo, Brazil
District Conference:
Des Moines
May 14-16, 1982
Marriott Hotel
Donald A. Koch and PDG Conley Biddle
Rotarians
210
Guests
216
Total
426
Harold Paden, Clinton, OK, RI Pres. Rep.
Dr. Donald B. Ruthenberg, President of the Iowa Association of
Independent Colleges and Universities
To Australia:
Larry Hoier, Rotarian Team Leader, West Des Moines
Jim Yoder, Wellman
John Parks, Ames
Tim Tracy, Marshalltown
Darryl Mickelsen, Ottumwa
Denny Hanson, Grinnell
17 inbound; 10 outbound
8 inbound; 4 outbound
245 listed; 190 sustaining listed
Sweet Adelines Chorus
Valley High School Jazz Band
Conf. Co-Chairs:
Conference registration:
Notable speakers:
GSE Team:
YE Students:
RI Scholars:
PHF:
Entertainment:
Note: A District 600 Manual of Procedures was adopted at this conference.
1982-83
Governor:
Club:
Donald R. Kahn
Burlington
Donald R. Kahn, P.E. joined the Rotary Club of
Burlington, Iowa, in 1968. An engineer, Kahn is a private
consultant in civil, municipal and structural engineering.
Kahn has served the Burlington club as International
Service Director, Membership Development Chairman, Club
Service Director and Club President. He is Past Chairman of the
District 600 World Community Service Committee and, for the
past three years, has served as a member of the District Extension
Committee.
A member of the American Society of Engineers, National
Society of Professional Engineers, Iowa Engineering Society,
Reserve Officers Association and Burlington Chamber of
Commerce, Kahn is also Chairman of the Burlington Low Rent
Housing Agency -- a position he has held since 1966.
He has served in various leadership positions in the Boy
Scouts of America for 20 years. Currently he is commissioner of
the Southeast Iowa Council and is a recipient of the Silver Beaver
Award of the Boy Scouts of America.
Rotary Ann, Jo Ann, is active in the Boy Scouts and
community affairs. The couple has four children -- Martin, a
Second Lieutenant in the Air Force; Robert, a First Lieutenant in
the Army; Regina, a junior in college, majoring in law enforcement; and
Mike, an eighth grader.
RI President:
Theme:
International Convention:
District Conference:
Conference theme:
Conference Chair:
Tours:
Social event:
Notable speakers:
PH Couple:
PHF:
Donald R. Kahn
Jo Ann Kahn
Hiroji Mukasa, Nakatsu, Oita, Japan
Mankind is One -- Build Bridges of Friendship Throughout the
World
1982 Dallas, TX, USA
Burlington
April 29-May 1, 1983
The Holiday Motel
Set The Example
Burton Prugh, Jr.
Apple Tree Museum, The Phelps House, tour of Nauvoo, Illinois
Oktoberfest -- Burlington Golf Club
Carl J. Timm, Union City, Tenn., RI Pres. Rep.
Federico and Lucy Compean, D-413 Mexico
283 listed; 183 Sustaining
1982-83, Continued
YE Students:
RI Scholars:
Entertainment:
Conference registration:
17 inbound
10 outbound
4 inbound
4 outbound
District 600 talent
Rotarians
Guests
Total
176
176
352
Note : Sam Ewart, Mt. Pleasant, was conference song leader and has performed this
function many times during past conferences.
1983-84
Governor:
Club:
Waldo W. Wegner
Ames
Waldo Wegner is a native of Every, Iowa and a graduate
Civil Engineer. In 1963 he was named Director of CIRAS (Center
for Industrial Research and Service) when it was established at
Iowa State University's college of Engineering.
Waldo has been Director of Public Works for Edina,
Minnesota, Assistant City Engineer in Cedar Falls and Mason City,
Iowa, and has served Chariton, Iowa as City Manager.
During World War II, he was a commissioned officer in the
Navy Civil Engineer Corps, serving in the Aleutian Islands and
Washington D.C. He retired as a Captain in the United States
Naval Reserve in 1973.
He joined Rotary in 1942 in Mason City, Iowa and
subsequently became a Rotarian in all the cities in which he lived
(Chariton IA, Cedar Rapids IA, West Omaha NE, Edina, MN, and
Ames IA. He served as President of the Cedar Rapids Club in
1956, and was President of the Ames Club in 1970.
RI President:
Theme:
International Convention:
District Conference:
Conference Chair:
Conference registration:
Social event:
Notable speakers:
PH Couple:
GSE Team:
Entertainment:
William E. Skelton, Blacksburg,
Virginia, USA
Share Rotary -- Serve People
1983 Toronto ON, Canada
Waldo W. Wegner
Catherine Wegner
Ames April 27-29, 1994
Joint Conference with D-597
Scheman Continuing Education Building
Donald K. Mangels
Rotarians
231
Guests
205
Total
436
Pig roast dinner, Hilton Coliseum
Edward F. Cadman, RI Pres. Nominee for 1985-86,
RI President's Representative
Eugene & Nancy Young, Northwest Des Moines Club
D-911 Nigeria
Excerpts from "Kiss Me Kate", Ames Community Theater
Note: Waldo has the distinction of being Iowa State's first All-American basketball player.
He was named to that honor in 1934.
1984-85
Governor:
Club:
Charles H. Gabus
Northwest Des Moines
Charles has been a Rotarian since November 1953 as a
member of the Holdrege, Nebraska, West Des Moines and
Northwest Des Moines Rotary Clubs. He served as president of the
latter. He was a District Governor's Area Representative in 19791980.
His community service is quite extensive including
President of the Nebraska Jr. Chamber of Commerce 1952-53,
Nebraska's first Clayton Frost winner, National Retention chairman
Charles H. Gabus
of the J.C.'s 1953-54, President of the Holdrege Chamber of
Commerce 1964-65, President of the Tri Trails Council, Boy Scouts of America 1964-66 (where
he was awarded the Silver Beaver) and chairman of the Phelps County Republican Committee
1963. He has been a member of the Methodist Church for 36 years and is a past board member
and trustee.
A graduate of Peru State Teachers, Charles has been a school teacher, paint contractor
and appliance dealer, and for the past 30 years he has been a Ford dealer in Holdrege, Nebraska
and Des Moines.
RI President:
Theme:
International Convention:
District Conference:
Conference registration:
Notable speakers:
Special Guest:
Tours:
Rotary Ann Lunch:
GSE Team:
PH Couple:
Entertainment:
Carlos Canseco, Nuevo Leon, Mexico
Discover a New World of Service
1984 Birmingham, England
Des Moines May 3-5, 1985
Hotel Fort Des Moines
Rotarians
314
Guests
236
Total
550
Roy Troutt, Oklahoma, Past RI Director, RI Pres. Rep.
Governor and Mrs. Terry Branstad, State of Iowa
Rotary Ann tour of Des Moines
Younkers Tea Room
To D-911 Nigeria:
Dr. Charles L. Samuels, Rotarian Leader, Ames
Michael J. Augspurger, Bloomfield
Roger L. Lown, Iowa City
Lorenz F. Fett, Jr., Marshalltown
Vernie E. Hawkins, Ames
Doyle G. Hawbaker, Des Moines
Poul and Eva Hybschmann, D-146, Denmark
Champagne Reception - dancing
Note: PDG Paul Hellwege was elected as D-600 delegate to the Council on Legislation.
1985-86
Governor:
Club:
Paul E. McNutt
Iowa City
Paul E. McNutt was born in 1914 at Archer, Iowa. He
attended Iowa State University, was on the livestock judging team,
and graduated in 1938. Following graduation Paul served
Extension as 4-H club agent in Scott County until 1940 and was
County Extension Director in Plymouth County until entering the
U.S. Air Force in 1942. He and wife Mary, along with other
members of the family, are engaged in extensive farming and
Paul E. McNutt
livestock operations in Johnson County.
He has served the Iowa Pork Producers Association in many
ways, including the presidency for 1966-1968.
Paul is past Director of the Iowa Farm Bureau, past
President of the Mercy Hospital Advisory board of Iowa City, and
past President of the Iowa City Rotary Club. He is a past Director
of the Iowa State Bank and Trust Company, Iowa city, Trustee of
the Herbert Hoover Library Foundation, and a past member of the
Administrative Board of the United Methodist Church.
Paul was named Iowa Master Pork Producer in 1965, Iowa
Master Farmer in 1966, and was one of two charter recipients, along
with Howard Hill, of the Iowa Farm Bureau Distinguished Service
to Agriculture Award in 1978. In 1981, the Iowa City Chamber of
Mary McNutt
Commerce presented the Family Farm Award to the McNutts.
Paul was recipient of the 1983 Iowa State Animal Science Hall of Fame Award.
RI President:
Theme:
International Convention:
Edward F. Cadman, East Wenatchee, Washington
You are the Key
1985 Kansas City MO, USA
District Conference:
Iowa City
April 25-27, 1986
Highlander Inn
William Olin and Ray Muston
Rotarians
251
Guests
214
Total
465
Champagne Reception at Poolside for incoming DGN Ken and
Atha Crist
Style show at Poolside, Herbert Hoover Museum and Library,
West Branch, Old Capitol at UI and Old Capitol Center
Richard J. "Dick" Budny, Lombard IL, RI Pres. Rep.
Terry G. Branstad, Governor State of Iowa
James O. Freedman, President, The University of Iowa
Conf. Co-Chair:
Conference registration:
Social event:
Rotary Ann tours:
Notable speakers:
1985-86, Continued
Notable speakers con't.:
GSE team:
YE Students:
PH Couple:
Entertainment:
Joyce Summerwill, Iowa City, Director of Project Art,
University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics
"Rotary: My View Point"
John Chrystal, Des Moines Banker & International Statesman
"State's Economic Outlook"
Economic Panel Discussion:
Daniel Krumm, President of Maytag Co., Newton
James Churchill, President, Rockwell International's
Avionics Division, Cedar Rapids
C. W. Elliott, University of Iowa Director of Intercollegiate
Athletics
D-318 India
15 listed
Julie and William Iversen, Ames, to D-146 Denmark
4th Avenue Jazz Company of City High School
Rotary Youth Exchange Students
Note: Mention is made that RI President Cadman has established a Rotary Disaster Relief Fund
from which funds immediately can be sent to disaster areas. In return, it can be reimbursed by
funds coming from local clubs.
Note: Two new clubs were chartered during the year: Mt. Pleasant Noon and Iowa Quad
Cities
Note: 5 RI scholarships were awarded this year
Note: Polio Plus Committee was established this year: Chairman Jim Vickery, Des Moines
Note: A special drawing was held for the Rotary District 600 Quilt, which was a project
conceived by Mary McNutt. A separate brochure entitled "Snatches and Patches" accompanied
the conference program booklet. This brochure described the meaning behind each Club's quilt
block. A general description of the project was also included as follows:
In each of District 600's fifty-six Rotary Clubs you will find a
marvelous mixture of the old and new, of country towns and busy cities,
general stores and shopping centers, farmers and scientists. Each is
unique, yet all share qualities and ideals that make us all Rotarians.
There's a spirit of dedication to principles and firm belief in the virtues of
honesty, integrity, courage and neighborliness with people in other parts of
the world. There is an abiding faith that through determination and hard
work any goal can be attained.
An off-white block for the background and two pieces of cloth in
Rotary blue and gold were sent to each club along with the dimensions
1985-86, Continued
of the finished block. This was done to help coordinate the quilt. The clubs were told
they could add to these base colors.
The center medallion was planned to carry out Dr. Ed Cadman's (Rotary
International President 1985-86) theme for the 1985-86 year. The words "You Are The
Key" with the golden key and the Rotary emblem, the gold and blue wheel.
The globe was chosen for the upper left corner block and the words "Its a Small
Small World" that District 600 Governor Paul McNutt chose as his theme song for his
year.
The lower right corner block shows the state of Iowa, with District 600 outlined
and District Governor Paul McNutt's name.
The upper right corner is the Youth Exchange symbol of Rotary International.
The lower left corner is the Rotary International symbol for Health, Hunger, and
Humanity.
Per note from Mary McNutt, March 30, 1996:
Because of the great interest generated in the clubs, the raffle ticket purchases came in at around $8,000.
The drawing was won by a Rotarian from the Atlantic Rotary Club. However, as there was a health problem in the
family, he was not able to attend the conference. They had moved into a retirement home and had very limited space
for this quilt. With their co-operation, and assistance from DG Ken Crist, and our long-time friend Mrs. Ken (Ruth)
Wagner, of West Liberty, two Paul Harris Fellows were completed for the winner and his wife in exchange for the
quilt. This brought the total contribution to The Rotary Foundation to approximately $10,000 from this project.
1986-87
Governor:
Club:
C. Kenneth Crist
Chariton
C. K. (Ken) Crist was born in 1918 at Clarence, Iowa. He
attended Iowa University and graduated with a BSC degree in 1940.
He was an auditor for the State Tax Commission in Des Moines
until enlisting in the navy in 1942. Following release to inactive
duty in 1946 he was employed by Hy Vee Foods Stores, Inc. He
retired from Hy Vee as Vice President for Administration in 1984
but continues limited activity with the firm.
Ken is a past trustee of the Lucas County Memorial Hospital,
a past trustee of the Chariton Library, past president of the
Des Moines Chapter of Administrative Management Society and a
commander in the Navy Retired Reserve. He is a past president of
the Chariton Rotary Club.
Ken has been and is active in the Methodist Church in
various capacities, is a Southwest Iowa Regional Library trustee,
and Iowa Wesleyan College trustee, a member of the Masonic
Lodge and a Shriner.
Ken and his Rotary Ann, Atha, have two children, a son
Ron, of Tulsa, Oklahoma and a daughter Marlys Polson of Denver,
Colorado.
C. Kenneth Crist
RI President:
Theme:
International Convention:
M.A.T. Caparas, Manila, Philippines
Rotary Brings Hope
1986 Las Vegas NV, USA
District Conference:
Des Moines
March 13-15, 1987
Hotel Fort Des Moines
Kenneth Olive, Chariton
Rotarians
234
Guests
120
Total
354
Style Show, Clothes from Madeline Shepard Ltd.
Hollywood Magic Make-up by Becky Conard
Gardie E. Shaw, Calgary, Alberta Canada, RI Pres. Rep.
Dwight Vredenburg, Chairman of the Board and CEO of Hy-Vee
Food Stores, Inc., Chariton
"It's Everybody's Business"
Dr. Gordon Eaton, President, ISU, Ames, IA
"Hope for Iowa from ISU"
Howard Vann, PDG, Omaha (RI Extension)
Conference Chair:
Conference registration:
Rotary Anns:
Notable speakers:
Atha Crist
1986-87, Continued
Notable speakers, con't.:
Robert Helmick, President United States Olympic
Committee
"The Olympic and its Contribution to World Peace
and Understanding"
James Gannon, Editor, Des Moines Register
"Soviet-American Relations"
W. Caesar Smith, Principal Financial Group
"The Greatest Love of All"
GSE Team:
Introduced Bob Thomas, Ottumwa, and Team to India
YE Students:
15 inbound listed
Entertainment:
Old Gold Singers, University of Iowa
Bill Pedrick at the Organ
1987-88
Governor:
Club:
Doyle W. McCully
Bettendorf
Doyle W. McCully is chief of the engineering
division, Rock Island District, Corps of Engineers. As
chief he is responsible for all the engineering and design
for the water resource programs with the Rock Island
District. That area covers about 78,000 square miles
including most of the states of Illinois and Iowa.
A native of Mississippi, he received a bachelor's
degree from the University of Mississippi and a master's
Doyle & Gladys McCully
degree in engineering from Catholic University of America.
He's been a member of the Bettendorf Rotary club since 1974 and served in various
offices including the presidency
RI President:
Theme:
International Convention:
Charles C. Keller, California, PA, USA
Rotarians -- United in Service -- Dedicated to Peace
1987 Munich, Germany
District Conference:
Davenport
April 29 - May 1, 1988
Blackhawk Hotel
Dave Falk
Rotarians
137
Guests
263
Total
400
Mississippi Belle II Dinner Cruise
John T. Capps III, Moorhead City NC, Member 1986-89 RI
Youth Activities Committee, RI President's Representative
Bill Wundram, Columnist, Quad Cities Times
Linda Newman, Chief Justice, Iowa Supreme Court
Maj. Gen. Marvin D. Brailsford, Commanding General, US
Army Armament Munitions and Chemical Command
"Peace Through Strength"
Evelyn R. Villines, Director of Client Assistance Program for the
Easter Seal Society of Iowa, Inc.
"In the Name of Love"
Dan Hayes, Editor, Quad City Times
Doug Miller, CEO, Signal Hill Communications
Dr. Edward Rogalski, President, St. Ambrose University
Conference Chair:
Conference registration:
Social event:
Notable speakers:
1987-88, Continued
GSE Team:
District 600 had the unique experience of sending two teams overseas this year a men's team to D318 India in January (Leader Robert Thomas) and a women's
team to D-103 England in September. Members of the women's team are:
Rotarian Alan and Denise Janssen, Team Leaders, Bloomfield
Pam Merritt, Indianola
Barbara Conner, Glidden
Renee Jedlicka, Coralville
Lana Sue Pingel, Corning
The inbound GSE women's team was led by Philip & June Boobyer of Durham,
England (former PH Couple to D-600). The team members were:
Susan Barbara Jones, Middlesbrough Cleveland
Gail Thompson, Cramlington
Kay Blyth, Sunderland
Marialusia Massagli, Crook
PH Couple:
Steve & Jo Bowers, Iowa City, to the Netherlands
YE Students:
49 in and outbound listed
Note: Three new clubs were added to the district this year
1988-89
Governor:
Club:
Cecil J. Porter
Marshalltown
Cecil J. Porter of Marshalltown has been an
active Rotarian since 1960, serving as President of the
Marshalltown club in 1966-67 and as club secretary
since 1979. He also originated and has prepared the
club's "Brief Resumes of Past Service Rotarians," a
valuable ongoing resource document for members.
Porter once chaired the Annual Giving Subcommittee of
the Rotary Foundation which, for the first time,
exceeded $100,000.
Cecil J. & Louisa Porter
Porter was born at Houlton, in northeastern Maine.
After a year of junior college, he studied engineering at the University of Iowa, graduating with a
degree in mechanical engineering in 1939. He also has done graduate work. He began his career
with J.I. Case in Rock Island, Illinois but three months later returned to Iowa city for graduate
study. In May 1940 he came to Marshalltown to join the Kiowa Corporation where he worked
for two decades as a tool designer, engineering superintendent and chief engineer.
In 1960, Porter resigned to become chief engineer at Marshalltown Manufacturing, where
he worked until 1978, leaving when he was Director of Quality Assurance. Since that time, he
has been an instructor in technical graphics at Marshalltown Community College.
Porter has been active in the community, a charter member and founding president of
Marshalltown Engineers Club, a past president of Elmwood Country Club, a member of the City
Zoning Commission for two years, a one-term member of the City Council, a member and
secretary of the County-City Building Authority and a member of the Planning and Zoning
Commission for 10 years.
He was also a campaign chairman of the United Way, has been active in the Chamber of
Commerce, was active in American National Standards Inst. for seven years, and has been a
director of the Iowa Good Roads Assn. for the past 13 years.
RI President:
Theme:
International Convention:
Royce Abbey, Greenvale, Victoria, Australia
Put Life into Rotary -- Your Life
1988 Philadelphia PA, USA
District Conference:
Marshalltown
Regency Inn
Thomas R. Smith
Rotarians
Guests
Total
Conference Chair:
Conference registration:
April 28-30, 1989
166
76
242
1988-89, Continued
Ladies lunch:
Governor's Banquet:
Notable speakers:
YE Students:
Elmwood Country Club
Slide presentation "Into Africa", Dr. Otis D. Wolfe
Music by Mary Gift
Style show
Elmwood Country Club
James M. Valentine, Vandalia, Ohio, RI Pres. Rep.
"The World of Rotary in Your Life"
John W. Norris, Jr., President of Lennox International, Inc.
"Iowa and the World Market"
George G. Fagg, US Circuit Judge for the Eighth Circuit Court
of Appeals
Neil E. Harl, Professor in Agriculture and Professor in
Economics, ISU
"The 1990's -- A Decade of Transition for Iowa and
US Agriculture"
John Chrystal, Chairman of the Board, Bankers Trust Co.
"Russia's Place in Iowa's Future"
Swimming and Zeon's Pizzas at the home of John Norris, Sr.
40 in/outbound listed
Note: Two new clubs chartered this year: Ames Morning & Iowa City AM
Note: Listed in the songs once again --
STODOLA PUMPA
1988-89 Continued
On October 20-23, 1988, the 23rd Annual Zones 3 & 9 Institute was held in West Des Moines,
Iowa, at the University Park Holiday Inn. Institute attendance was:
Rotarians
Guests
Total
188
156
344
The steering committee was composed as follows:
Bruce Cook, Cincinnati, Ohio, Director, Rotary International, Convener
Charles Gabus, DG 1984-85, Zone Institute and Promotion Chairman
Ken Crist, DG 1986-87, Facilities Chairman
Paul McNutt, DG 1985-86, Sgt.-At-Arms
Waldo Wegner, DG 1983-84, Recorder Chairman
John D. Coolidge, DG 1966-67, Registration Chairman
Don Koch, DG 1981-82, Proceedings Chairman
Doyle McCully, DG 1987-88, Home Hospitality, Class Reunion and Golf
Outing Chairman
Paul Hellwege, DG 1954-55, Transportation Chairman
Henry Hook, DG 1973-74, Publicity Chairman
Cecil Porter, DG 1988-89, Current Host
Henry Hartz, DGN 1989-90, Host
Orville Bunker, Treasurer
Among others, Atha Crist and Katie Wegner served as Recorders. Also, DG Wayne Douglass,
1969-70, served with the Sergeants-At-Arms. Mary McNutt hosted the House of Friendship.
Notable RI officials speaking at the Institute included:
Royce Abbey, Essendon, Vic., Australia, President, Rotary International
Hugh Archer, Dearborn, Michigan, President-Elect, Rotary International, 1989-90
Ray Klinginsmith, Chairman, Constitution and By-laws Committee
Robert L. Stevenson, Trustee, The Rotary Foundation, 1987-90
Philip H. Lindsey, General Secretary, Rotary International
William T. Sergeant, Chairman, Council on Legislation, 1989
1988-89, Continued
Note: A controversial issue was resolved when the 1989 RI Council on Legislation opened
Rotary to women members. At some point prior to this action, Erma Bombeck, nationally
syndicated columnist, published the following article:
LET'S LEAVE THE ROTARY TO THE MEN
As a woman, I'm here to tell you that joining a Rotary Club is too high a price to pay for equality.
I've spoken in parking lots and laundromats in behalf of women's rights, been patted on the head by
legislators who advised me to go home and have babies. I have been picketed and cursed for my stand on the ERA,
but I'm afraid feminists have gone too far. Don't ask me to infiltrate a Rotary Club.
Obviously, the women pushing on this issue have never been to a Rotary Club meeting. I have. Trust me,
it is not the power-based good-ol'-boys network they think it is.
I'm sure Rotarians would not mind my sharing what goes on behind the doors of that last bastion of male
authority.
First, there's a lot of handshaking, followed by some talk on lawn fertilizers, who has the best buy in town
on radial tires, when is the best time to put the boat in the water and who has had prostate surgery.
Out-of-town visitors are introduced with an ovation usually reserved for a man who has entered a bar and
shouted, "Free drinks on the house!" Birthdays are noted, and there is always a speaker.
After the speech, there are more handshakes. Occasionally, an insurance man will nudge you and suggest
he go over your portfolio, or a member will approach a car dealer for a $175 fixer-upper for his teenager.
Men have gone to a great deal of trouble to keep women from seeing their meetings as they really are. The
Alta club of Salt Lake City quit selling beer rather than admit women. The Burning Tree club in Bethesda, MD,
forfeited $186,000 in tax breaks rather than admit women. I say, let's leave the poor devils with their pride and their
mystique. What they think we don't know won't hurt anyone.
Selfishly, I don't want to open exclusive women's clubs to men either. If we let them come to the League
of Women Voters meetings, next thing you know they'll demand membership in the Mothers of Twins clubs. We
could never tell another gynecology joke.
Elizabeth Cady Stanton and three other women didn't have to join Rotary and eat warm salads to get power.
They hammered out a resolution for the right of women to vote around a tea table.
Carry Nation didn't storm the doors of Rotary and sit through a speech given by a 165-pound sleeping pill
in a dark suit. She took her temperance cause to local bars.
Helen Keller wasn't a Rotarian. Neither was Amelia Earhart. If anyone has a shred of compassion ... don't
make me do this!
1989-90
Governor:
Club:
Henry F. Hartz III
Bettendorf
Henry was born in 1918. His family was
engaged in farming. From 1935 to 1942 he worked at
organizing school bands. He served in the U. S. Army
and began a career in furniture retailing in 1946. He
was an owner of Henry F. Hartz Furniture and, in 1976
formed the Hartz Decorating Studio. Henry was President Henry F Hartz III & Mary Evelyn
of the Davenport Jr. Chamber of Commerce in 1950-51, and
Vice President of the Regional Junior Chamber in 1951-52. He became a member of the
Bettendorf Rotary Club in 1974 and served as President in 1979-80.
The Governor's Message from program book:
Mary Evelyn and I would like to thank all members of District 600 and their spouses for being so kind,
understanding and so truly wonderful during our year as your District Governor.
You were all so understanding when the terrible pain and suffering resulting from the automobile accident
when a drunken driver struck Mary Evelyn's car 1 1/2 blocks from our home on 19 January 1989 and kept her from
joining us on all of our Rotary visits as we had planned to do. We appreciate your understanding when she could
not be there and we thank all of you who entertained her so well when she could be with me.
What a rewarding experience to have made such wonderful friends and to know they will endure for life.
All of the clubs in our great District 600 have truly enjoyed Rotary as you fulfilled the objects of Rotary and were so
greatly involved in Rotary's four avenues of service. Many of Rotary's goals were met this year. Polio-Plus has
made us so proud to be Rotarians. Now let's all go forward to do even greater things.
RI President:
Theme:
International Convention:
Hugh M. Archer, Dearborn, Michigan, USA
Enjoy Rotary!
1989 Seoul, Korea
District Conference:
Bettendorf
April 20-22, 1990
Jumer's Castle Lodge
S. K. Nanda
Rotarians
237
Guests
201
Total
438
Tram tour of the Rock Island Arsenal, John Browning Civil War
Museum, Colonel Davenport Home, Visitor's Center-US Corps
of Engineers, Lock and Dam 15 and National Cemetery on
Arsenal Island. Shopping at Duck Creek Mall
Conference Chair:
Conference registration:
Ladies tour:
1989-90, Continued
Friday Banquet:
Notable speakers:
GSE Team:
YE Students:
Entertainment:
On board the Quad City Queen
Terry L. Mercing, North Little Rock AR, RI Pres. Rep.
Vard E. Marguglio, Toastmasters International
"Yes You Can"
Catherine Cooney
"Did You Hear The One About"
Vicki Palmer, Chairman of the Board of Palmer College of
Chiropractic, Palmer College of Chiropractic West and First
Bank, President of Signal Hill Communications, Inc.
"Niche Marketing"
E. Bradford Burns
"International Experiences - Inbound-Outbound"
Congressman Jim Leach, Republican, First District of Iowa
"The World Tomorrow"
Inbound; D-318 India
Outbound to D-318:
Dick C. Stoffer, Team Leader, Boone
Chris Baker, Ottumwa
Mark John Dougherty, Lenox
Gary R. Michler, Des Moines
Milton Brent Severe, Grinnell
Lynn Michael Walding, West Des Moines
19 inbound listed
6 outbound listed
Ugly tie contest
Music by Sally Goodwin
Youth Exchange Students
1990-91
Governor:
Club:
E. H. Breckenfelder
Muscatine
"Breck", a professional engineer, retired from Stanley
Consultants, Inc., Muscatine, Iowa in 1983. He was a Vice
President, Project Manager in Electric Power Systems, and served
on the Board of Directors, 1964-78. He is a member of the Institute
of Electrical and Electronic Engineers, the National Society of
Professional Engineers, the Iowa Engineering Society, the
Muscatine Engineers Club, "33" Club of Muscatine and the Zion
Lutheran Church
Born in Coon Valley Township, Sac County, Iowa, he was
E. H. Breckenfelder
graduated from Auburn High School, received his Bachelor of Science
in Electrical Engineering in 1942 from Iowa State University, and
his Master of Science in Industrial and Management Engineering
from the State University of Iowa in 1965. Following graduation
from Iowa State, he was an instructor in Navy programs and Iowa
State for two years, then entered military service as a officer in The
United States Naval Reserve, Aviation Observer.
A Rotarian since 1952, he is a member and past president of
the Rotary Club of Muscatine. He has served as a youth exchange
counselor, and he and Betty have hosted a student in the Youth
Exchange Program. Both Betty and Breck are Paul Harris Fellows.
They have attended Rotary International Conventions in Tokyo,
Kansas City, Munich, Philadelphia, and Seoul, South Korea.
Community activities include serving on the Board of
Directors of the Muscatine Community School Foundation. Breck's
hobbies and interest include woodcrafting, astronomy, miniature
crafts, automatic musical instruments, clocks and travel.
Betty Breckenfelder
Betty, an educator and homemaker, retired from Muscatine
Community School District in 1982, after having taught 14 years in the elementary grades. She
is a life member of the National Education Association, a member of the American Association
of University Women, PEO, Westend Fortnightly, Alpha Delta Kappa, and Zion Lutheran
Church.
Born in Elmore, Minnesota, Betty was graduated from Ames High School, received her
Bachelor of Science in Home Economics in 1944 from Iowa State University, and her Master of
Arts in Elementary Education from the State University of Iowa in 1971. She studied voice at
Drake University and at the Boston Conservatory of Music. Her hobbies are teddy bears,
sewing, knitting, miniature crafts, music and travel.
Betty and Breck have five children.
1990-91, Continued
RI President:
Theme:
International Convention:
District Conference:
Conference Chair:
Conference theme:
Conference registration:
Spouse/guest event:
Notable speakers:
GSE Team:
YE Students:
RI Scholars:
PH Couple:
Entertainment:
Paul V.C. Costa, Sao Paulo, Brazil
Honor Rotary with Faith and Enthusiasm
Companion new program; PRESERVE PLANET EARTH
1990 Portland OR, USA
Muscatine
April 19-21, 1991
Holiday Inn
Don and Virginia Johnson
Showcasing Rotary
Rotarians
252
Guests
174
Total
426
Historic home tour, tea at the Muscatine Art Center, new YMYWCA Building tour, and city tour
Robert D. Carpenter, Huntington, West Virginia, RI President's
Representative
"You And Rotary"
Honorable Terry E. Branstad, Governor of Iowa
L. E. (Ed) Shultz, Former President, The Hon Company,
Muscatine
"Service in the 1990's"
Pastor Paul D. Ostrem, Muscatine
"The Right to Serve"
D-386 Philippines
15 inbound listed
4 outbound listed
15 inbound listed
3 outbound listed
D-141 Finland, Pertti and Irja Raunio
Outbound, Arthur and Judith Puotinen, Des Moines
Dinner music - Cheryl Miller, Ottumwa
Youth Exchange Students
"I Remember Muscatine For Its Sunsets"
Mark Twain - Max and Cathy Churchill
"The Mysterious Guest from the East (of District 600)
The Renowned Muscatine Elks Chanters in Concert
Note: A revised District Manual of Procedure was approved at this conference.
1991-92
Governor:
Club:
Everett L. Laning
Indianola
Ev Laning has been a professor of sociology and applied
social science at Simpson College since 1964. He first came to
Simpson as a junior transfer student from his native Illinois in 1951.
He returned to join the faculty after receiving a Bachelor of
Divinity degree from Garret-Evangelical Theological School, a
Master of Arts degree in sociology at Northwestern University and
a Doctor of Philosophy degree in sociology from Iowa State University.
A Rotarian since 1974, Ev served six years in the pastorate prior
to his move to Simpson's faculty.
Ev and Ruth were married in 1954. Over the years, Ruth has
added substitute teaching at local junior/senior high schools to a full
agenda of church and community volunteer work and homemaking.
They have a son and two daughters.
With travel and camping as family interests, the Lanings
have explored much of the continental U.S. Travel abroad has
included countries in Europe, Africa and Asia. Most recently they
lived in Japan for six months in 1990.
RI President:
Rajendra K. Saboo, Chandigarh, India
Theme:
International Convention:
Look Beyond Yourself
1991 Mexico City, Mexico
District Conference:
Des Moines
April 10-12, 1992
Airport Hilton Inn
A Cut Above The Rest
Bill M. Reese, West Des Moines
Conference theme:
Conference Chair:
Everett L. Laning
Ruth Laning
Conference registration:
Rotarians
Guests
Total
159
215
374
Notable speakers:
Dr. Edgar D. (Ted) Gifford, La Grange, IL, RI Pres. Rep.
"Rotary Worldwide"
"A Dentist's Diagnosis of Rotary: History, Examination
and Prognosis"
Dr. Arthur E. and Judy Puotinen, President of Grandview
College, Paul Harris Exchange Couple to Finland
1991-92, Continued
RI Scholars:
YE Students:
GSE Team:
Entertainment:
Freedom from Hunger Scholars: 2 inbound listed
Ambassadorial Scholars: 6 inbound listed
20 inbound listed
12 outbound (presently abroad) listed
12 additional outbound listed
Team from D-4480 Brazil
Team from D-6000 to D-3860 Philippines
Ken & Jo Noble, Team Leader, West Liberty
Stephani Knierim, Indianola
Virginia K. Layne, Iowa City AM
Katherine A Ruble, Indianola
Michael Foxx Thurman, Ames
Team from D-6000 to D-4480 Brazil
John & Jo Helgerson, Team Leader, Ottumwa
Jeffery D. Hendred, Ottumwa
Robert C. Margeas, Des Moines
Joni Place, Oskaloosa
John H. Wells, Ottumwa
Rotary Ambassador "Pop-The Cork Weekend" award
Dancing
Introduction of "The Four-Way Test Song", Merrill Sparks,
Composer, let by the Rotarians of Corning, Iowa
Return of Paul Harris
One Man Show, Kenneth Lewton of Vennard College
Ragtime Piano, Rodney Biensen, Nevada
"La Canterina" by Opera Iowa
Rotary Exchange Students
1991-92 Continued
BOUNDARY OF DISTRICT 6000
Boundary Description 1 July 1949
Iowa, that portion south of the southern boundaries of the counties of JACKSON, JONES,
LINN, BENTON, TAMA, GRUNDY, HARDIN, HAMILTON, WEBSTER, CALHOUN
and SAC, and east of the western boundaries of CARROLL, AUDUBON, CASS, ADAMS and
TAYLOR.
1992-93
Governor:
Club:
John L. Dasher
Ames
John Dasher, a native of Oskaloosa, received his Bachelor
of Arts degree in political science from the University of Iowa in
1960. He graduated from Keota High School.
Beginning as a food service manager with Marshall Field
and Co., Dasher built his career on the industry. He was food
service director for the University of Iowa Student Union and held
positions with the Dayton Co., Mr. Steak Restaurant in Ames, and
John & Linda Dasher
now operates Dasher Management, DBA McDonalds in Ames.
Dasher has been a member of the Rotary Club of Ames since 1981, serving as president
in 1987-88 and 1988-89. He is active in many foundation, boards and organizations, and has
served as governor for the Iowa State Foundation, president of the Holiday Inn/Gateway Center,
past president of the Ames Chamber of Commerce, and special gifts chair/State of Iowa for the
ISU Partnership for Prominence capital campaign.
He married Linda, a Des Moines native, in 1965. They have two daughters. Linda
Dasher is a graduate of St. Mary's Hall, Fairbault, Minn. and the University of Iowa. Also a
Rotarian, she has served in numerous volunteer capacities, on bank boards, and as a trustee for
the medical center. She manages Impressions -- a franchise specializing in business protocol and
social graces.
RI President:
Theme:
International Convention:
Clifford L. Dochterman, Stockton, CA, USA
Real Happiness is Helping Others
1992 Orlando FL, USA
District Conference:
Ames
April 24-25, 1993
Holiday Inn/Gateway Center and
Scheman, Iowa State Center
Celebrate Iowa Rotary
B. J. Reed
Rotarians
267
Guests
128
Total
395
Brunnier Gallery - On display: Collections of Rotarians
Henry & Ann Brunnier
Richard F. (Dick) Olson, Eugene, Oregon, RI Pres. Rep.
Martin Jischke, Iowa State University President
Conference theme:
Conference Chair:
Conference registration:
Tour:
Notable speakers:
1992-93 Continued
PH Couple:
Entertainment:
Inbound: T. P. Kannan and his wife Ann T. K. Kousalya,
Madras, India
Outbound: Larry S. & Vada H. Reed, Davenport, to India
Rod Bienson, pianist, Nevada
Note: See 1993-94 for comments on severe weather and flooding in D-6000 during the spring
and summer of 1993.
1993-94
Governor:
Club:
William J. Cameron
Keokuk
After retiring as superintendent of Keokuk
Community Schools in 1989, Bill continued to be an
active consultant for Western Illinois University and the
Great River Area Education Agency 16. He adjusts crop
hail damage for Square Deal Insurance,
Des Moines.
Cameron was president of the Rotary Club of Keokuk
Bill & Jody Cameron
in 1985-86, has hosted three visiting Group Study Exchange
teams, and has served as new projects chairman. A Rotarian since 1979, he has participated
regularly in District 6000 and predecessor district activities, including PolioPlus, The Rotary
Foundation and district conference. He is also a Paul Harris Fellow.
He is a graduate of Iowa State Teachers College, and also has graduate degrees from
Iowa State University and post-graduate training at the University of Iowa, DePauw University,
Western Illinois University, and Columbia University.
Joan (Jody) graduated from Wayne State College in Wayne, Nebraska. She spent her
time sharing teaching, primarily Junior High English, and home responsibilities. Jody continues
to be active in church work, historical society, AAUW, and Questers. She is on the local board
of United Way and helped initiate Greater Keokuk Habitat for Humanity. Her interests include
antiques, reading, writing, bridge and golf.
The Camerons have three daughters and one son.
RI President:
Theme:
International Convention:
Robert Barth, Rothrist, Switzerland
Believe in What You Do -- Do What You Believe in
1993 Melbourne, Vic., Australia
District Conference:
Keokuk
April 29-30, May 1, 1994
Days Inn
Doing What We Believe In ( a time to share)
Middle School
Keokuk Country Club
Historic Tour of Keokuk
Ken Sibbings & David Scala
Rotarians
160
Guests
118
Total
278
Conference theme:
Plenary sessions:
Governor's Banquet:
Tours:
Conf. Co-Chairs:
Conference Registration:
1993-94, Continued
Notable speakers:
Awards:
RI Scholars:
YE Students:
GSE Team:
Spouse's Project:
Features:
Entertainment:
Elmer R. Jordan, Agoura, CA, RI President's Representative
"Early Years"
"Today in Rotary" - the first D-6000 Women Club Presidents:
Liz Durham, Grinnell
Katie Roth, West Des Moines
Paula Werling, Tipton
Linda Hutton, Boone
"A Thank You" - 4 foundation scholars
Major Gift Recognition:
Herb and Janice Wilson, Iowa City
Paul Harris Fellow: Jody Cameron
50 years perfect attendance -- Dr. Weldon Loerke, Ottumwa
Inbound:
6 listed
Outbound:
Recently returned:
5 listed
'93-'94:
5 listed
'94-'95:
5 listed
Inbound:
23 listed
Outbound:
15 listed
Inbound:
D-4960 Argentina/Uruguay
Outbound to D-4960:
Ricardo Sauro, Team Leader, Tipton
Martha Brown, Des Moines
Mary Maxson, West Liberty
Ellen Carbarnes, Des Moines
Dennis Schuessler, Waukee
Raffled Guatemala beads for a literacy project in El Salvador
which raised more than $1,000 and was matched by RI
Club project and District Committee displays were presented
in the House of Friendship
Youth Exchange Students
"A Visitor From the Past", Rick Schlegel & Bob Thomas
Keokuk Women's Chorus
BELIEVE IN WHAT YOU DO
DO WHAT YOU BELIEVE IN
1993-94, Continued
Note: Heavy rains and severe flooding in the spring of 1993 resulted in most of Iowa, and
particularly RI D-6000, being declared as a disaster area. Rotary International responded by
issuing a world-wide notice of the disaster which generated a tremendous out-pouring of concern
and generosity from Rotarians everywhere. Over the next several months, contributions in excess
of $190,000 were received from Rotary clubs, districts, and individual Rotarians. A committee
was formed, chaired by PDG John Dasher, and applications for aid were made available to needy
individuals through each of the D-6000 Rotary Clubs. Upon recommendation of the club, and
approval by the committee, grants of up to $1,000 were disbursed to families in need. Many
donations of supplies, clothing, toys, etc. were also received and arrangements made for
appropriate distribution.
Upon conclusion of the relief effort, which extended to the fall of 1994, approximately
$13,000 remained in the disaster fund. This amount was then transferred to a new District
account, The Humanitarian Service Fund. This fund will be used for timely response to local and
international disasters in partial repayment of our LARGE debt of gratitude to Rotarians around
the world
1994-95
Governor:
Club:
Bill M. Reese
West Des Moines
Bill M. Reese was born on April 3, 1933, in Jewell,
Iowa, was graduated from Jewell High School in 1950,
served in the U.S. Marine Corps, and received his B.S. in
Business Administration degree from Drake University in
1958.
Bill started his accounting career with a national
firm of certified public accountants (Peat, Marwick,
Mitchell & Co) and passed the CPA examination in 1960.
In 1971, he opened his own practice, now known as Reese,
Corwin & Company, P.C., with offices in Des Moines,
Iowa. He has been active in professional associations and
is a past President of the National Association of
Accountants, Des Moines Chapter.
Bill & Joyce Reese
Bill has been a member of the West Des Moines
Rotary Club since 1971 and has served as Secretary, Treasurer, Director, and was President in
1980-81. His district activities include service as District Treasurer, Budget Committee,
Foundation Committee, Youth Exchange Committee, and Chairman of the District Conference
Committee in 1991-92.
Joyce and Bill were married in 1952. They have seven children. The two youngest have
been Rotary Exchange Students to Colombia and Japan.
Joyce received her B.S. in Elementary Education degree from Drake University in 1969,
and a Master in Special Education degree, also from Drake, in 1977. She teaches in the Des
Moines school system and her classes have included children with a variety of multiple physical,
emotional, mental and learning disabilities. At present, she is a mathematics lab teacher at
Woodlawn School.
Other interests include motorhome camping, travel, and visiting their grandchildren.
RI President:
Theme:
International Convention:
Bill Huntley, Sutton-on-Sea, Linc., England
Be A Friend
1994 Taipei, Taiwan, China
District Conference:
Des Moines
May 5-7, 1995
Holiday Inn - Airport
Katie Roth
Des Moines Botanical Center
Iowa State Historical Building
Rotarians
244
Guests
192
Total
436
Conference Chair:
Tours:
Conference registration:
1994-95 Continued
Notable Speakers:
Special awards:
GSE Team:
YE Students:
Entertainment:
Neil S. Ewing, St. Louis, MO, RI President's Representative
Juan Forster, Guatemala Sur Club, Guatemala
Koteswara Rao Nanduri, D-3150 India, GSE team leader
Jim Slavens, Bettendorf, GSE team leader to D-3150
Mary Oxford, Pres. Elect - Iowa City AM, Project Description Winner of RI Significant Achievement Award
RI Service Above Self awards for participation on opposite ends
of the D-6000 FAMSCO project:
Bud Louis, Iowa City
Juan Forster, Guatemala Sur
Paul Harris Fellow - Joyce Reese
D-3150 India, 5 team members present at the conference.
D-6000 to D-3150:
Jim Slavens, Team Leader, Bettendorf
Ann Marie Gogerty, Des Moines
Joan C. Chohan, Davenport
Marilyn K. Muller, Indianola
Timothy A. Armstrong, Ottumwa
Inbound:
24 listed
Outbound:
17 listed
Karaoke
"Rotary Ambassador - Weekend for Two" award
Frank Shults, Grinnell, guitar
Merrill Sparks, Corning, piano
Youth Exchange Students and GSE Team, India
Dancing
Note: A resolution was approved granting authority to the District Assembly to approve a
completely revised District Manual of Procedure and District Organization Chart.
Note: The district's Paul Harris Couple Exchange was discontinued in the previous year. The
first official District Friendship Exchange was in September, 1994, with six couples
visiting D-6000 from D-1060 in the area of Birmingham, England. A reciprocal visit
was made to D-1060 by several D-6000 couples led by John & Mary McNeer,
Chairman, Newton.
Note: Contributions to The Rotary Foundation during 1994-95 totaled $280,257 from District
6000. This total includes $5,746 in restricted gifts and $64,637 in endowment & related gifts.
Year-end statistics for D-6000 are:
All-time giving
$3,179,878
Paul Harris fellows
1,921
Sustaining members
1,196
Benefactors
47
1994-95 Continued
Note: District Conference Highlights were summarized in the May, 1995, Governor's
Newsletter as follows:
DISTRICT CONFERENCE HIGHLIGHTS
Service Above Self Awards (Rotary's highest award) were presented to Bud Louis (Iowa City) and Juan
Forster (Guatemala Sur) for their work on opposite ends of our District FAMSCO World Community Service
Project This was a SURPRISE to Bud -- he says "we knocked his socks off!" Our District nominated both of these
gentlemen. Juan Forster's award, while mentioned at his district conference in El Salvador, was lost and could not
be presented there. He was able to obtain a replacement and it added much to our conference to be able to present it
along with Bud's.
A Rotary Foundation Meritorious Service Award was presented to PDG Paul NcNutt for his many years of
excellent support given to the Foundation programs.
Foundation Major Gift Awards were presented to Charles & Fran Gabus and to Paul & Phoebe Hellwege.
18 Rotarians were named to receive the Rotary Foundation District Service Award for outstanding service
to Foundation programs during 1994-95.
A Paul Harris Fellow Award was presented (as a surprise) to Joyce Reese, wife of the District Governor
(she really deserves it for having to put up with me!).
The Rotary Club of Davenport inducted a new member on Saturday evening of the conference. Teri
Wonderlich --- who just happens to be the daughter of the DG --- yours truly. (Has this ever been done before?)
As a Governor's Award for cumulative service of particular benefit to me during 1994-95, I presented a
small sculpture entitled "Rotary Vision" to PDG "Breck" Breckenfelder.
The Group Study Exchange Team from D-3150, India, was present throughout the conference and provided
part of the entertainment Saturday night. Their presence, together with the Youth Exchange Students, added an
international flavor that was enjoyed by all.
I am especially proud that 36 of our 59 clubs qualified for the Presidential Citation for Community
Concerns and that I was able to present these awards at the conference.
The RI Significant Achievement Award was presented to the Iowa City AM club for their work with the 1st
Offenders Program.
Community Service Awards were presented to Indianola (1st); Des Moines AM (2nd); Bloomfield (3rd);
with honorable mention to Clinton, Iowa Quad Cities, Northwest Des Moines and Boone --- all excellent projects!
Window awards went to Chariton, Lenox and West Liberty for their GREAT displays during Rotary
Window Week.
Newsletter Awards were presented for the top 15 newsletters -- based solely on the DG's personal
preference.
The President's Representative, Neil S. Ewing, together with his wife, Ann, provided a nice touch of Rotary
formality to the proceedings and presentations. Their presence was enjoyed and appreciated by all. It's easy to see
why Neil was chosen to represent the President!
(Gee, have I forgotten anything?)
All in all, I believe the conference was enjoyed by all in attendance. My conference committee did an excellent job
in all respects -- I have received many compliments in their behalf. The food and facilities were GREAT -- but what
really made the weekend was YOU -- our ROTARY FRIENDS!!!

Bill Reese
1944-95 Continued
From the June, 1995, Governor's Newsletter:
THE TIME HAS COME....
The good ship "BE A FRIEND" is in port!!
Now -- maybe there will be
a little less of this --
and more time for this -- (well,
probably not the beer, but maybe I
can catch up on my reading!)
D. Guv Bill
Note: 1994-95 Presidential Theme Song:
BE A FRIEND
BE A FRIEND, to ev'ryone you meet,
BE A FRIEND to anyone you greet;
Friends are caring and sharing,
There is no denying, to a friend,
BE A FRIEND IN ROTARY.
Friends are patient and kind, always happy.
Friends bring hope to the world through ROTARY.
BE A FRIEND to those who are in need,
BE A FRIEND with love in heart and deed,
Winter, Spring, Fall or Summer
All friends are forever; to a friend,
BE A FRIEND IN ROTARY.
1995-96
Governor:
Club:
Ken Noble
West Liberty
Ken was born near Morning Sun, Iowa;
graduated from Muscatine High School; worked as a
grocery store butcher; served four years in the US Air
Force as a personnel technician; attended Muscatine
Junior College; and received his appointment as a
federal meat inspector in 1958. He was a charter
member of the Columbus Junction Jaycees; helped
organize and served as president of the rodeo association
near Conesville; served as president of his Food
Inspectors Local for many years; completed USDA
Ken & Jo Noble
sponsored programs at Ohio State University, Tuskegee
Institute, and Goddard College; and ended his 35 years of federal service, as a processed
products food inspector in West Liberty, Iowa. He now serves as a consultant to those in the
meat/poultry industry who desire assistance with planning for grant of federal inspection.
Ken has been a member of the West Liberty Rotary Club since 1978 and served as
President in 1983-84. He was appointed to the Youth Exchange Committee in 1985 and chaired
that committee from 1988 to 1993. Other Rotary activities include service as a Governor's
Representative, counselor to Foundation Scholars, Group Study Team Leader to the Philippines,
host family for several exchanges, participation in polio immunizations projects in the
Philippines and Mexico, attendance at 7 RI conventions and 6 international youth officers
conferences. A daughter has been a Rotary Exchange Student in Japan. In each of these
capacities, Ken has had the pleasure of being accompanied and assisted (sometimes carried) by
his wife, Jo.
Jo was born in Wilton Junction, Iowa; graduated from Wilton High School; attended St.
Lukes School of Nursing in Davenport; and received her elementary education teaching
certificate from the University of Iowa. She was a substitute rural mail carrier for 14 years and
began full time in late 1992.
The Nobles have two sons and a daughter.
RI President:
Theme:
International Convention:
District Conference:
Conference Registration
Herbert G. Brown, Clearwater, FL, USA
Act with Integrity
Serve with Love
Work for Peace
1995 Nice, France
Coralville
Westfield Inn
Rotarians
Guests
Total
May 17-19, 1996
171
135
306
1995-96 Continued
Conference Chair:
Notable Speakers:
Spouse Tours:
Post Conf. Tour:
Entertainment:
Exchange Students:
GSE Teams:
Extension:
Paul Harris Fellow:
Awards:
Don & Virginia Johnson, Muscatine
Dr. Doyle Dannenberg, OD, Governor 73/74, D-5340,
Escondido, California, RI President's Representative
Jack Blane, Governor 78/79, D-6440, Highland Park, Illinois,
USA National PolioPlus Committee Chair 94/96, Rotary
Foundation Permanent Fund National Advisor 96/98
Old Capital and Plum Grove
Hoover Presidential Library/Museum, West Branch, IA
Piano - Betty Louis, Iowa City
Vocalist - Bob Crane, Iowa City
International Exchange Students
New Horizons Band
16 outbound presently abroad
19 outbound 96/97
29 inbound presently here
To D-2819 Japan:
Jo Van Gorp, Newton, Team Leader
Johnny Boyd, Des Moines; Anthony Burton, Burlington
John Gottlieb, Riverside; Vivian Hagashi
From D-2819 Japan:
Governor Toshikuni Komats (93-94), Kesennuma,
Miyagi, Team Leader
Makoto Okubo; Michiko Otsuki
Tomoaki Tamagami; Katusnori Saito
Charter presented for the new Rotary Club of Coralville/North
Corridor
Jody Cameron for the results of a RI grant for the education of
children. The matching portion of this grant was generated by
her sale of beads from Guatemala during 1993/94
Attendance - Iowa City Club
Foundation Major Donor awards to Bill Sitler and Kent
Dalmeyer, both with the Rotary Club of Washington
Governor's award (a sculpture entitled "Rotary Vision")
presented to PDG Bill M. Reese for "dedicated and
professional service to Rotary during 1995/96".
1996-97
Governor:
Club:
James A. Vickery
Des Moines
Jim is a native of Des Moines and a graduate of
Roosevelt High School (1949). He attended Grinnell
College and received a Bachelor of Arts Degree from
the University of Iowa in 1953. Jim started at IMT
Insurance Company (Mutual) in 1957 as public relations
supervisor, and has progressed through various
responsibilities, including being named President in
1988, and Chairman of the Board in March, 1994.
James & Dee Vickery
Active in industry organizations, Jim currently serves
in the national property and casualty insurance industry as vice president of the Conference of
Casualty Insurance Companies and is a board member of the Property Loss Research Bureau.
He is also active in many civic and business groups. Currently he is a board member of
Boatmen's Bank - Iowa and Economy Data Products, president of Youth Homes of Mid-America
Foundation and vice president of Hospice of Central Iowa Foundation. He is on the community
advisory board of the Junior League of Des Moines; board of Living History Farms Foundation
and is treasurer of the Friends of the Des Moines Public Library.
Jim was president of The Rotary Club of Des Moines in 1981-82. He has served as
chairman of the District 6000 Polio-Plus committee, as a Governor's Area Representative and as
a Special Representative in establishing the Rotary Club of Des Moines AM. Jim and his wife,
Dee, have been married 41 years and have four children.
RI President:
Theme:
International Convention:
Luis Vicente Giay, Argentina
Build the Future With Action and Vision
1996 Calgary, Alberta, Canada
District Conference:
Des Moines
May 2-3, 1997
Marriott Hotel
Jack & Jill Schreiber
Welcome Home to Rotary
56 of the 60 clubs were represented
Rotarians
729
Guests
332
Total
1,061 A "Modern-Era" Conference Record
Des Moines, West Des Moines, Northwest Des Moines, Ankeny,
East Polk and Des Moines AM
Conference Co-Chairs:
Conference Theme:
Conference registration:
Host clubs:
1996-97 Continued
Notable speakers:
Tours:
Terry E. Branstad, Governor of Iowa and honorary member of
the Rotary Club of Des Moines
"Welcome"
Major General Donald Shepperd, Air National Guard, The
Pentagon, Washington D.C.
"Volunteering in Military and Business Service Above Self"
Jack Shelley, "The Voice of Iowa", Rotary Club of Ames
"Noon Day News"
Robert Houser, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the
Salisbury House Foundation
"An Invitation to Rebuild for the Future"
Dr. C. Mike Gibson, Houston Heights, Texas, RI President's
Representative, and his wife, Peggye Jane
"Welcome New Rotarians - Build Our Future"
"Building Your Rotary Club, District 6000 and Rotary
International"
"Give of Yourself"
Simon Estes, Iowa's own international opera star from Centerville,
IA. Simon told about his humanitarian youth project in South
Africa, sang a selection of songs, and joined with the Rotary Youth
Exchange students in a special selection. (The appearance of
Simon Estes was made possible by a generous grant from The
Rotary Club of Des Moines honoring DG Jim Vickery.)
"America's Castle" - Salisbury House. Home of 1923-24 District
Governor Carl Weeks
Entertainment:
Music and songs of Rotary by Merrill Sparks, piano
Rotary Youth Exchange Students
Mariachi Band at "International Dine Around" buffet
Kentucky Derby Party
Homecoming Finale - Clubs parade & skits
Music by "Free Style"
GSE Team:
A 5 member team was present at the conference from
D-4250 Belize, Guatemala and Honduras
Election:
PDG Bill M. Reese was elected as the D-6000 representative
to attend the RI Council on Legislation in New Delhi, India, in
January 1998.
1996-97 Continued
Awards:
From the generosity of a D-6000 Rotarian, every Rotarian
attending the conference was awarded a $100 Paul Harris
Sustaining credit from previously unallocated PolioPlus
contributions.
Five clubs received the attendance prize of a Paul Harris Fellow
award to be designated by the club. (The prize was based on
number of registrants, Friday noon attendance, new members attending,
Rotary partners attendance, raffle sales, attendees times miles traveled, club
projects displayed and parade entries.)
The winners were:
1st place:
Ankeny
2nd place:
Chariton
3rd place:
Northwest Des Moines
4th place:
Washington
5th place:
Bloomfield
Community Service Awards:
1st place:
Chariton - Chili Bowl Shootout
2nd place:
North Scott - Special Olympics
3rd place:
Ia-Quad Cities - Challenger Little
League
Outstanding newsletter -- North Scott
PDG John Dasher was presented with The Rotary Foundation
Meritorious Service Award
PDG Bill M. Reese was presented with a bronze bust of Paul
Harris for being an "exceptional mentor" to DG Jim Vickery
during his term of office.
Note: Governor Jim had the following comments in his June, 1997, newsletter:
It is a new "modern-era" attendance record - three times the annual average of 350 registrations recorded
the past 15 years! Thank you for sharing this truly wonderful Rotary experience with each other. There were 188
total package registrants for the two-day event, which was held one day less than in recent years.
A total of 56 of the 60 clubs (93%) sent representatives, 729 members, also a new record. Each Rotarian
gets a $100 Paul Harris Sustaining Credit. ...
Over 700 participated in the first annual district-wide luncheon on Friday with Iowa Governor Terry
Branstad and Major General Don Shepperd, commander, Air National Guard, Washington, DC, addressing the
"Welcome Home to Rotary" crowd. It was 86 years plus one day, May 1, 1911, when The Rotary Club of Des
Moines held its first meeting one block north of the hotel. Plenary sessions were well attended which covered a
variety of the Four Avenues of Rotary Service. About 25 clubs and district committees filled the House of
Friendship with exhibits.
RI President Luis Giay's personal representatives, Dr. Mike and Peggye Jane Gibson of Houston, Texas
were very special guests. One of the two addresses by District 4890 Governor Mike (1976-77) was directed to 50
new Rotarians who attended their first conference.
Over 350 attended the Salisbury House tour & reception on Friday. The 123rd running of the Kentucky
Derby via large screen TV attracted a similar crowd on Saturday afternoon. Traditional Mint Juleps and official
Derby snacks were served.
A first-ever District raffle raised nearly $20,000 to support the Youth Exchange at conference and the
Simon Estes youth project. Rotary Club of Davenport member Steve Morency won the $2,500 raffle prize.
1996-97 Continued
The Homecoming Finale on Saturday evening drew over 600 for dinner. Events included a parade by eight
clubs ( with Chariton winning top honors) and a humanitarian address and songs by Centerville, Iowa's International
Opera Star Simon Estes, bass-baritone. His talk told of plans to bring 40 students from South Africa to Des Moines
for the 1998-99 school year.
After several standing ovations Simon led us in the traditional conference closing song, Auld Lang Syne -all joining hands.
Governors nominated as of June, 1997
1997-98
Governor:
Club:
Roger Borup
Wellman
Roger retired in 1993 with more than 37 years of service at
Wellman Savings Bank, last serving as Executive Vice President
and Cashier. He attended the American Institute of Business and
the Iowa Bankers Agricultural Credit School. He is also a retired
U.S. Army Reservist.
Roger has maintained more than 27 years of perfect attendance
Roger & Pat Borup
at his Wellman Rotary Club. He has served as Club President, Bulletin
Editor, Youth Exchange Chair and Rotary Foundation Chair. He initiated TRF giving program
in his club that increased the number of Paul Harris Fellows from 0 to 39 and Paul Harris
Sustaining Members from 0 to 13. At the District level he has served on the Rotary Youth
Exchange Committee and as an Area Representative.
Roger has been active in church and community affairs serving many chair and
committee positions including two terms on the City Council. He and Pat have led local church
work camp groups with the Appalachia Service Project, Heifer Project, Cookson Hills Center
and Habitat for Humanity. Roger has volunteered at Habitat for Humanity for three winters in
Americus, GA, working in the finance department.
Pat has been active serving on the Wellman-Scofield Public Library board, Planned
Parenthood Boards, Wellman Heritage Society and the Wellman Area Foundation. Pat is a
Registered Nurse and is currently working part-time at Mercy Hospital in Iowa City. It was Pat
who persuaded Roger to begin the Rotary Youth Exchange program in Wellman with the
Borups' hosting seven of the students in their own home.
Roger and Pat were married in 1960 and have two sons. Both Roger and Pat are Paul
Harris Fellows and Rotary Foundation Benefactors.
Governors nominated, continued
1998-99
Governor:
Club:
Don Goering
Ames
Don is an Iowa State University Extension Youth
Development Specialist for Youth and 4-H on the campus of Iowa
State University. He is a native of District 6000, born and raised in
Davenport, educated at Iowa State University, and worked for the
Extension Service in Iowa County. He has a Ph.D. in Adult
Don & Doris Goering
and Extension Education. In addition to his work with the Youth
and 4-H Program, he advises M.S. and Ph.D. graduate students.
Don was invited into The Rotary Club of Marengo in 1959 and to the Rotary Club of
Ames in 1972. He served on various club committees, Board of Directors and as President of
each Club. He is currently serving as the Chair of The Rotary Foundation Committee and the
Recreational and Vocational Fellowship Committees. Don served as the Chair of the District
Training Committee for the past four years. He recently completed nine years of service on the
ISU Credit Union, serving as Chair of the Board for six years. He has completed 30 years of
U.S. Army Reserve service retiring as a Colonel. Don is a multiple Paul Harris Fellow and a
Benefactor to The Rotary Foundation.
Doris graduated from the University of Northern Iowa with a Masters degree, and is
currently an elementary teacher in the Ames Community School District. She is an active
volunteer in the Story County 4-H Communication program and a Past President of her PEO
Chapter. Doris is a Paul Harris Fellow.
Don and Doris are active in their church and other organizations in Ames. They have a
son and a daughter.
Governors nominated, continued
1999-00
Governor:
Club:
Ray A. Muston
Ames
Ray is an Emeritus Faculty Member of Planning,
Policy and Leadership Studies of The University of Iowa
and an independent consultant in organizational
development and marketing. He holds bachelors, MBA
and doctoral degrees from Indiana University.
Ray & Linda Muston
During his 27 years with The University of Iowa, Ray
served as Associate Dean of Education, Assistant Dean of Faculties, Associate Vice President of
Academic Affairs and Special Assistant to the Vice President for research at the University of
Iowa. He is a United States Army veteran.
Both Linda and Ray have been active in community organizations including American
Cancer Society, Chamber of Commerce, Women's Athletics Board of The University of Iowa,
Mercy Hospital Foundation, Mary Greeley Foundation, The United Way, Iowa City Hospice
Road Races, school district task forces and their church.
Ray and Linda were married in 1961 and are parents of 3 children, 2 sons and 1 daughter.
Linda completed her undergraduate degree in Journalism and Political Science at The
University of Iowa and the Executive MBA at The University of Iowa. She serves as Vice
President of The Mary Greeley Medical Center.
Ray was inducted in the Iowa City Noon Club on March 27, 1975, and Linda on
November 12, 1987. Both served as members of the board of the Iowa City Noon Rotary and as
president of the Iowa City Club. Both Linda and Ray are current members of the Ames Noon
Rotary Club. They are members of the Rotary International Golf Fellowship and Home
Hospitality Exchange Groups. Ray served District 6000 PDG Charles Gabus as Chair of his
PETS program, PDG Paul McNutt as Chair of his District Conference Committee and PDG Ken
Noble as an advisor to his conference committee.
DISTRICT 6000 TRIVIA QUESTIONS
(See next page for answers)
1.
Which DG did not have a district conference?
2.
Which 3 DG's all served in the Iowa Legislature at the same time?
3.
Which district conference financial report listed the cost of cigars as $12.50?
4.
Which DG resigned after one month in office?
5.
What did Erma Bombeck have to say about women in Rotary?
6.
How many members did the Des Moines Club have upon formal organization in 1911?
7.
Who was our first DG and how many new clubs did he help organize?
8.
What was the IOWA connection to the first Rotarian's wife to be designated
"Rotary Ann"?
9.
Which DG was at one time the State Inspector of Illuminating Oils?
10.
Which district conference had the largest registered attendance?
11.
What was the name of the face powder developed by DG Carl Weeks?
12.
What was the base cost of a 1933 post-convention five-day cruise to Bermuda?
13.
Which district conference had the first designated "House of Friendship"?
14.
Which DG was Iowa State University's first All-American basketball player?
15.
Which DG conducted a symphony orchestra under unusual circumstances at an
International Convention?
16.
Which DG was once the bursar of the American College for Girls in Istanbul, Turkey?
17.
Which DG served as the senior chaplain of the 1st Airborne Army during
World War II?
18.
Which DG had previously served a full term as DG in another Rotary District?
19.
Which district conference provided and opportunity to view the Cardiff Giant?
20.
Which man served as DG before he was president of a Rotary Club?
TRIVIA ANSWERS
1.
1944-45
H. O. Bernbrock ----- because of the war.
2.
Legislative session of 1925-26:
3.
1915-16
John Knutson
4.
1965
Robert Everetts
5.
See 1988-89
6.
40
7.
1915-16
8.
See notes on H. J. Brunnier 1952-53
9.
1921-22
Luther Brewer
10.
1925-26
Al Falkenhainer
11.
SYMPHONIE See 1924-24
12.
$60
13.
1947
Alvin Edgar
14.
1983-84
Waldo Wegner
15.
1946-47
Alvin Edgar
16.
1953-54
Allin Dakin
17.
1958-59
Kirby Webster
18.
1965-66
George Rigler (appointed to fill the term of Robert Everetts)
19.
1925
In Fort Dodge
20.
John O. Knutson
Served as Governor in 1915-16 --- President of the Sioux City
Rotary Club in 1917.
1929-30 Clarence Knutson (Clear Lake)
1932-33 Charles Rhinehart (Dallas Center)
1935-36 Willis Edson (Storm Lake) ---Speaker of the House
See 1913-14
John Knutson
8 new clubs
1926 conference held in Des Moines ---- 1,576
See 1932-33
ALPHABETIC INDEX
Ayers
Bair
Barron
Bernbrock
Biddle
Biggers
Bimson
Boardman
Borup
Braley
Brandon
Breckenfelder
Brewer
Cameron
Chrysler
Coolidge
Coppock
Cownie
Crist
Dakin
Dasher
Davidson
Douglass
Edgar
Edson
Efner
Everetts
Falkenhainer
Fee
Fuller
Fultz
Gabus
Gates
Glover
Goering
Greiner
Harper
Harris
Harrison
Hartz, III
Hatcher
Hawk
Amos A.
William P.
Wallace E.
H. O.
Conley J.
William
Oliver H.
Charles
Roger
Alson E.
William M.
E. H.
Luther
William J.
Lou G.
John D.
William
Charles T.
C. Kenneth
Allin W.
John L.
T. E.
J. Wayne
Alvin R.
Willis C.
Albert M.
M. Robert
Al
Orville
Albert C.
Thomas G.
Charles H.
Bruce F.
Lester R.
Donald H.
Russell
R. W.
Paul P.
Dallas M.
Henry
G. Floid
G. Keith
Sioux Falls
Des Moines
Ames
Waterloo
West Des Moines
Detroit, Mich.
Indianola
Marshalltown
Wellman
Iowa City
Davenport
Muscatine
Cedar Rapids
Keokuk
Grinnell
Bettendorf
Council Bluffs
Des Moines
Chariton
Iowa City
Ames
Mason City
Oskaloosa
Ames
Storm Lake
Ottumwa
Washington
Algona
Lincoln, NE
Cedar Falls
Pella
NW Des Moines
Waterloo
Ottumwa
Ames
Kansas City
Ottumwa
Chicago
Hampton
Bettendorf
Grinnell
Knoxville
1917
1934
1956
1944
1978
1914
1951
1924
1997
1968
1937
1990
1921
1993
1943
1966
1920
1941
1986
1953
1992
1942
1969
1946
1935
1975
1965
1925
1916
1936
1950
1984
1926
1957
1998
1912
1964
1910-11
1947
1989
1949
1972
ALPHABETIC INDEX, CONTINUED
Hegland
Hellwege
Hoerner
Hook
Hulsizer
Hunt
Johnson
Johnson
Kahn
Keith
Kirk
Knowler
Knutson
Knutson
Koch
Laning
Louden
McCully
McKee
McNutt
McPherren
Melson
Morain
Muston
Noble
Northey
Off
Olsen
Patterson, Jr.
Porter
Price
Purcell
Rankin
Reese
Reif
Rhinehart
Rigler
Royal
Ryan
Scott
Strader
Taylor
Vickery
Harold O.
Paul E.
Richard N.
Henry B.
Clyde L.
Gerald W.
Fred W.
R. Lynn
Donald R.
Nathan W.
Ralph E.
Lloyd A.
Clarence
John
Donald A.
Everett L.
Roy
Doyle W.
Pearl K.
Paul E.
David L.
Eugene R.
Fred
Ray A.
Ken
Fred L.
Clarence R.
Mack
Ralph E.
Cecil J.
G. B.
Thomas W.
Paul
Bill M.
Logan
Charles
George H.
Lester A.
Dan J. P.
Watters
Charles
W. Ralph
James A.
Ames
Boone
Keokuk
Davenport
Des Moines
Guttenberg
Grinnell
Chariton
Burlington
Newton
Boone
Iowa City
Clear Lake
Sioux City
Indianola
Indianola
Fairfield
Bettendorf
Indianola
Iowa City
Rose Hill
Jefferson
Jefferson
Ames
West Liberty
Waterloo
North English
Des Moines
Ames
Marshalltown
Leon
Hampton
Dubuque
West Des Moines
Kalona
Dallas Center
Iowa City
West Liberty
Parkersburg
Oskaloosa
Lincoln, NE
Mt. Pleasant
Des Moines
1961
1954
1962
1973
1928
1933
1960
1974
1982
1955
1967
1980
1929
1915
1981
1991
1931
1987
1927
1985
1979
1977
1970
1999
1995
1918
1952
1913
1976
1988
1939
1930
1922
1994
1971
1932
1965
1940
1945
1963
1919
1959
1996
ALPHABETIC INDEX, CONTINUED
Walker
Webster
Weeks
Wegner
Wright
Edward D.
Kirby
Carl
Waldo W.
P. K.
Burlington
Marshalltown
Des Moines
Ames
Iowa Falls
1948
1958
1923
1983
1938