Meeting of the Rotary Club of Eureka
Red Badger Jay Reed was called upon to recite the flag salute. President elect Greg Pierson did the invocation.
There were lots of guests, as today’s program was to be dedicated to the late Charlie Strope. Eric Bergel announced that Youth Exchange is in need of two host families, one for January to March, and one for April thru July. He also needs people to be on the committee.
Chuck Ellsworth was then called upon to do his craft talk. He had a power point presentation, but the battery on his computer died, so the sign maker had no visuals. Then we went to our program.
Charlie Strope was born on Valentine’s Day 1923 and passed away on Memorial Day 2011. He was a Rotarian for 54 years, President of the club in 1968-69 , District Governor from 1971-72 and was the first Rotarian in our club to get a Paul Harris Fellowship. He was a great supporter of Rotary International. He established the Rotary Southwest club in 1969. He described himself as “Just an average Rotarian” but he was very special. He served in the military as a pilot in WWII. He acquired Times Printing in 1954. He was a life master at Contract Bridge. Rotarians who had known him came to the Podium to speak. Dave Dillon described him as an extraordinary person. Dick Nash remembered that Charlie did the first Rotary Roster with photos. John Winzler loved to hear him talk, and said he was a truly funny guy. He commented that though Charlie was opposed to women joining Rotary, he accepted it graciously, and did not resign. He was among the first to nominate women to be club members. Terri Clark said she was lucky to have known him. Pete Vallerga said he was a complete Rotarian and mentor. He said one of Charlie’s dreams was to be a Director for RI. A video made in the 1960’s honoring Charlie was shown. It was narrated by St. Clair Adams. It was very entertaining.
Respectfully submitted by Hank Ingham
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