Tell readers about yourself (career, family, etc.) and how you discovered Palm Coast/Flagler County.
My wife, Patricia, and I have been married for 66 years and were introduced to each other my brother while I was home while on leave with the Air Force. I worked for 32 years with Orange County California Social Service Agency. I have a Masters of Social Work & Public Relations. Pat is an educator with a Masters in Speech Pathology. We were born in Los Angeles. In 1996 we moved from Orange County to Snohomish, WA, and in 2018 we moved to Palm Coast to be near our daughter who lives in Palatka, FL. She was married in St Augustine in 1989 (the first year we visited Florida). When visited our daughter we would visit one of the 2 Rotary clubs in Palatka & one the 3 Rotary clubs in Flagler County.
When did you become a member of Rotary, and why?
In 1998 I was invited to join the Rotary club of Snohomish, WA, by a club-president elect. He had learned that I was a social worker and he was looking for someone to serve as a community service chair.
Do you have a favorite experience or mission with Rotary you can share?
In Washington we were members of Rotary District 5050 which includes British Columbia, Canada. For 8 years I was editor of the district’s monthly newsletter, The Peace Arch Journal. In 2011 I had the wonderful experience on interviewing Jennifer Jones. She became the immediate past president (2022-23) of Rotary International. We have traveled with Rotary to Guatemala and to South Africa
How has Rotary changed over the years since you’ve joined, and has it been for the better?
Download Rotary.Org. The major direction, since Rotary was founded in 1905, has been the focus on the international eradication of polio, as well as other components of the Rotary Foundation. There has been a strong focus on peace and the involvement of youth.
What do you enjoy most about being a member of the Rotary Club of Flagler County?
Since moving to Palm Coast we have gathered many new friends such as those you saw at the Club’s dinner on June 27, 2023. We were given a gift when I was invited to become a Rotarian. We have traveled internationally to 8 Rotary International Conventions and have friends from around the world. Two years before moving here we visited a meeting of the Flagler County club following the International Convention in Atlanta. After lunch Jeanette Loftus came to our table and said that she heard we might be moving to Palm Coast. She said that she is a real-estate agent and next year would be the district governor. She helped us find our place at Fairway condos.
