1959—1960

O E Gookins Jr President 1959-1960

The Club continued to sponsor worthy civic projects.  Over $1,100 was used to send boys to Camps Geiger and Hillyard; about $400 for Myrtle Miller School, Boy Scouts and for Little League Baseball; $300 to District Scholarships; and the Club holds a 100% rating in contributions to the Rotary Foundation Fund.  A special gift of $500 was made to the Boy Scout Camp Geiger for building improvements.  Christmas baskets were given to several needy families. 

College students home for the Christmas holidays were luncheon guests, five of them speaking about their school activities.

Our secretary and executive secretary Bernice worked out a new streamlined form for the weekly bulletin which could be folded and mailed with an annual savings of over $100 postage. 

Club assemblies were held in July to get the new officers and the committee chairmen and co-chairmen coordinated for the year’s projects and again in November, when our District Governor Perry Porter visited and addressed us. 

Singing was started again under the fine direction of several of our members.  A start was made to revive Fireside Meetings, several being held.

 Rotary magazine monthly reviews were given, as well as talks by some of our members on the meaning of Rotary.

 The Annual Golf Tournament was held August 13 and was a gala event with 88 players and 98 at the dinner, many from other Rotary Clubs.

 On November 7 we sponsored a meeting and refreshments for the Little United Nations Club at Y.W.C.A., with 100 present.

 The 48^th anniversary of our club was celebrated with wives and guests at a banquet at the Hotel Robidoux.  A string ensemble played fine music during the dinner.  Dr. Walter Kimball, our one remaining charter member, was honored in a talk by Secretary Earl Miner.  Don Spalding gave a good review of Rotary International’s book Seven Paths to Peace, and our widely traveled Jim McAdoo gave a most interesting talk about the many unusual things he had observed while in England and Europe.

 Our First Vice-President Dwight Dannen was chairman and Monty Mead, secretary, of the largest and one of the most successful United Fund Drives ever conducted in St. Joseph.  Many of our club members were active in this campaign, as they were also the Club’s team for the Y.M.C.A. membership drive.

 Four of our members passed away during the year:  Honorary members Dr. John C. Whitsell and Sam G. Mannschreck, and active members Fred G. Batcher and Charles J. Feeney.

 New memberships were about offset for the year by men being transferred out of town, some resignations and deaths.

 Dues were increased $8 from $108 to $116 annually on April 1, because of an increase in the cost of our luncheons.

 The District conference was held April 23 and 24, 1960, at Unionville, Missouri.

 Our program committee arranged many good commercial programs, interspersed with excellent craft talks by members, music by the high school bands and choirs, and guest speakers such as Rotarian Roy Gromer, of Grant City, Mo., who told us about the Air Force Academy.  Rev. Bonney who braved a severe snowstorm on March 15 to come up from Kansas City, Connie Voss (winner of an oratorical contest on “Americanism”), and Paul Jones an outstanding speaker and Director of Public Relations for the National Safety Council.

 Four new highway Rotary signs were purchased with three being installed and the other to be installed at a later date.  A new 50-star American Flag and a new Rotary Banner were purchased and put into use.

 A letter from Arthur J. Meers, Mayor of St. Joseph, asked Rotary’s cooperation in organizing a Citizen’s Committee to serve in an advisory capacity to the Mayor and City officials.  Director Robert L. Shackelford and Second Vice President Frank H. Gee were appointed to serve as members of this committee.

 A five-foot high wall of floodwater smashed towns in Mercer and Grundy counties in August 1959.

 There was a $400,000 fire at a Tarkio College dormitory in Tarkio, Mo.

 A $1,120,000 bond issue was approved for the construction of a natural gas plant at Cameron, Mo.

 A study of the City Charter was authorized.

 There were two major downtown fires:  October 30, the Logan Building, Eighth and Edmond Streets and one quarter of the block estimated at $1,000,000 damage.  December 31, the three-story Center building located at Sixth and Edmond Streets, damage estimated at $1,000,000.

1960—1961 

Dwight L Dannen   President 1960-1961

At the start of the year each director had an assembly with his committee chairmen and co-chairmen in order to get the year’s activity off to a good start.

The first main event of the year was the Annual Golf Tournament held August 11, at the Moila Club, with invitations issued to all clubs in the District to send their golfers to the meeting.  Charles Mannschreck was chairman of the tournament committee, which consisted of Chris Ellinger, Barent Springsted and Bernice Johnson.  There were 97 golfers entered in the tournament, and 108 Rotarians were on hand for the buffet dinner.  Many clubs outside of St. Joseph were represented, and District Governor Tom Eagle was present.

During the year the Rotary Club continued to sponsor civic projects as it has in the past.  One of the most important was the sending of worthy boys to Camp Geiger and to Camp Marvin Hillyard.  In addition we sponsored a Little League baseball team, and paid the expenses of two students from St. Joseph, Ronald R. Russell and Marilyn Jean Thompson, to the University of Missouri two-week conference for 30 superior Missouri High School junior students.

In order to finance these various activities, dues were raised $2.50 per quarter, with the promise to members that the taking up of collections at various times throughout the year would be discontinued.

Other activities included a Rotary Team in the Y.M.C.A membership drive headed by Don Chew.

The Annual Pinochle Tournament between the South Side Rotary Club and our club was held at the Moila on Wednesday evening, April 26, with the usual results.

Several special meetings were held during the year.  On Wednesday September 20, we met with other service clubs at the City Auditorium to get a bird’s eye view of the various phases of the St. Joseph Interstate Baby Beef and Pig Club show which was going on at the time.

On October 4, we had a Club Assembly and a visit from District Governor Tom Eagle.  A regular meeting was held after the Club assembly, with Tom Eagle bringing us a very interesting message.  The meeting was held at Moila because of a banker’s convention and a Kiwanis District Convention scheduled for the Hotel Robidoux.

The traditional Birthday Party with our Rotary Anns was held in the Hotel Robidoux on November 16.  Rev. Lawrence Bash, pastor of the Country Club Christian Church, Kansas City, was the speaker, and the Central High School Choir provided the music.  It was the highlight of our Rotary year—our 49^th Birthday Party.

The annual Christmas party for college students home on vacation was on the program for December 27.  Harold Niedorp was the Master of Ceremonies at the program, and the speakers included Steve Mitchell, son of Past District Governor Orestes Mitchell, jr., Eddie Herman, Marshall Cowles, Robert Hastings and Claire Taylor.

Perhaps the outstanding development in our Rotary year was the series of Fireside Meetings, which was organized under the capable direction of Rotarian Ed Hoover.  Starting on January 13, it was a most successful revival of the Fireside program, with almost every Rotarian participating in one of the 18 Fireside Meetings held in Rotarians’ homes during the year.  It was such a successful program that, under Ed’s guidance, a skit was put on at the District conference showing how Firesides were planned, organized, and put on, and what value they were to Rotary.

We had an excellent representation of our Rotary Club at the District Conference held in North Kansas City the weekend of April 15 and 16.  St. Joseph Rotarians were prominent in their participation in the meeting.  It was one of the best District Conferences ever held in this district.

Early in February a committee was appointed to work on a 50^th anniversary party to be held in November of 1961.  Chairman of this committee was Barent Springstead, Jr.

Attendance at meetings was good throughout the year.  The peak was in May when we averaged 90.37%.  At the start of the year, the membership was 147; it dipped to a low of 145, but ended the year at 150, which was a net gain of three members.

One member was lost through death:  Reverend Josiah W. Able, an honorary member due to ill health, on December 14, 1960.

• The Federal Government filed legal action against the City of St. Joseph on September 29, under the 1956 water pollution control act.
• November 1, 1960:  St. Joseph voters by a healthy 8 to 1 majority authorized a study and revision of the City’s 50-year-old charter.
• Continental Can Company announced plans to construct a metal can plant in St. Joseph.
• In September, Richard Nixon, Vice President of the United States and Republican presidential candidate delivered a speech at City Hall to a crowd estimated at 10,000.  Senator Lyndon Johnson, Democratic Vice-President elect, also spoke before a capacity crowd at the Electric Theater on October 1.
• December 15, 1960:  Ceremonies dedicated and opened Interstate Highway 29 between St. Joseph and Kansas City.  Earlier in the year the new stockyards route was dedicated.
• The count showed population gain in St. Joseph from 78,788 in 1950 to 79,763 in 1960.
• An experimental balloon, “Echo I,” was launched by the United States late in September.

 Notable Events During 1961

• The new City Charter was approved
• Sewage plant and sewer extension authorized.  Voters approved a $5,955,000 bond issue to provide sewage treatment facilities, also, $3,650,000 to provide main sewer extensions.
• Past Director Waldo Y. Burger, jr., was elected President of the Chamber of Commerce.
• Dwight L. Dannen was elected President of the United Fund Campaign.

1961—1962 

Frank Gee  President 1961-1962

 This was the year to celebrate our 50^th  Anniversary.  The committee appointed by Dwight Dannen continued with their plans:  Barent Springsted, Jr., Chairman, Orestes Mitchell, Jr., Rod Fletcher, Harold Niedorp, Dr. Walter F. Kimball, and David P. Hornaday.

 We started our year without the services of our loyal executive secretary Bernice Johnson.  She took her vacation the first two weeks of July, and then when she came back from vacation, she started a brush fire in her back yard.  She used gasoline to light the fire, the gasoline flashed, she did not jump high enough, so her legs were burned and our first V.P. Dr. Tom Potter ordered her to the hospital.

 At the first meeting of the year on July 11, 1961, International President, Joseph A. Aye, presented his program to our club in the form of a recorded message:

Aim for Action

Communicate for Understanding

Test for Leadership

Our year started off by losing our Director-Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, J. Ira Pendleton.

 Our first club assembly was held August 8.  This enthusiastic group of officers, directors, chairmen and co-chairmen all attended except two or three who were out of town or were ill, and this is the group of men that has made this Rotary year a wonderful success.

 This Rotary year found our Safety Committee headed by Andy Ziph active with a Rotary sponsored safety program in the form of a community project attacking the hazards of falls.  The programs were furnished to many other civic clubs and community functions by this committee.

 August 10, the Annual Golf Tournament was held with all Rotarians in District 603 invited.  A movie of the action on the links was filmed by Rotarians Springsted and Wadlow.  161 attended the meeting that evening.  This was held in Moila’s Walnut Room.  The film was used as our program on March 27.

 The District Institute at Bethany, August 17, was attended by Vol Whaley, Al Houchin, Warren Letts, Secretary and Frank Gee, President.

 Our September 12 meeting was held at the Y.M.C.A.  Our team worked hard in the Y Drive.  We had loads of fun, little glory, but we did not finish in last place.

 Our September 19 meeting was in the pavilion at the stockyards, being transported by us, with a box luncheon by the hotel.  We enjoyed the exhibits and talks associated with the Interstate Baby Beef Show.

 In October, the admission fee was increased from $20 to $30, the additional $10 to go to the Rotary Foundation Fund.  We became a 200% club in the Rotary Foundation.

 Our Fireside Meetings were a highlight of the year under the able direction of Mel Brown.  Rotary International asked for complete details of Mel’s program.  The last meeting was November 13, in ten different Rotarians homes, with an address by Rev. Hauser Winter and discussions held on “Rotary Through the Years” at the meetings followed by this broadcast.  This developed into a stimulating discussion of our club, and we looked under our carpets and much action developed.

 November 17, we celebrated our 50^th anniversary and this was one of our finest days in Rotary.  Everyone worked; the Rotary Anns, all the committee chairmen and every available Rotarian.  This event started by picking up President Joseph A. Abey at Topeka, Kansas, in Jim McAdoo’s Beech Travelair on Thursday afternoon, November 16.  The reception committee was Bob Finch, Jim and yours truly.  Activities of the celebration started at noon on Friday with a luncheon for the visiting District Governors, Forrest P. “Flip” Carson, Holton, Kansas; Dr. Cecil S. “Jack” Compton, Cameron, Mo.; Harold O. Hegland, Ames, Iowa; Harry Finds, Jr., Clinton, Mo.; and Past District Governors G.F. Hatcher, Grinnell, Iowa; and Orestes Mitchell, Jr., St. Joseph, Mo; and the club directors and committee chairmen where an informal discussion was held with International President Joseph A. Abey, and great inspirations for the years work were left with these Rotarians.

 The banquet on Friday evening was attended by Rotarians from our district and the five adjoining districts 565, 571, 600, 605 and 607, with Joseph A. Abey as the featured speaker.  A plaque was presented to Walter Kimball, our only charter member present, for his many years of service to Rotary.  There were five clubs represented from Iowa, seven clubs from Kansas, five from Nebraska, and twenty-four from Missouri, a total of 400 Rotarians and their Rotary Anns.  On Saturday, I had the privilege of spending a large portion of the morning with President Abey in an informal discussion of Rotary and our club problems.  This was my finest week in Rotary.

 December 19 was the official visit of our District governor of District 603, Dr. Cecil “Jack” Compton.  A club assembly was held at 11:00 prior to the meeting with the various committee chairmen reporting and discussing the activities of their committees with the District Governor.  Again our committees responded and attended as true Rotarians.

 December 26 was the Annual Student Christmas Party.  We had 65 college students as guests representing many out of state colleges and universities.   Our world always looks better after hearing these fine young people talk to us for a few minutes.

 Our mid year club assembly (our third) was held February 19, in Parlor “C” of Hotel Robidoux, immediately after the regular Board of Directors Meeting to review what we had done and survey what could be done for the balance of the year.  It was decided we would appoint a committee to explore and determine the possibilities of getting a four-year college operating in the City of St. Joseph.  This assembly also decided that we should sponsor two Explorer Scouts to attend the national Explorer Scouts Conference at the University of Michigan.

 Russell Peck again headed a special committee and worked with Jim Hower and Rosie Rosen making extensive classification surveys of potential members.  The results were:  Thirteen new members as of this date, with five additional proposed members in the process of clearance through the Classification and membership Committees and final Board approval and the process of the survey will be continued.

 Our committee on International Service recommended, and the club purchased, a quantity of bulletins entitled “You and Your Flag” to be presented to new citizens of the United States when they receive their citizenship papers in Judge Duncan’s court.  Each member of the Club also received a copy of the booklet.

 Tying in with the Rotary International World Photo Contest, our Special Activities Committee arranged with the Topeka Rotary Club for a flying caravan to the Topeka club.  Fourteen Rotarians from our club and two from our neighboring South Side Rotary Club attended the Topeka Rotary Club meeting on March 1, and wonderful fellowship was in abundance.  The Topeka club went all out to receive us in style.

 The photo contest awards were made on March 17.  Winners in interclub contests between our club and the South Side were:

Chet Venard and Ernie Justus—St. Joseph Rotary Club

Ervin Branson and Ethan Campbell—South Side Rotary Club

 The Club decided to underwrite the expenses of two or three high school students to attend the Freedom Forum at Wentworth Military Academy, July 22 through July 26, 1962.

 The Annual Pinochle Tournament between the Uptown and South Side Rotary Clubs was held January 23, with South Side again the winners.

 The District Conference at Cameron on April 28 and 29 was attended by 24 Rotarians and Anns from our club.

 Past District Governor Orestes Mitchell, jr., won a Rotary Quiz at the District Conference and was awarded a 3 foot by 5 foot 4-Way Test Banner.

 $1,200 has been budgeted for worthy and needy boys to be sent to Camps Geiger and Marvin Hillyard the week of June 12 through June 18.

 $150 has been sent to the St. Joseph Little League for the annual sponsorship of a Rotary Little League Baseball Team.

 The South Side Rotary Club has challenged the Uptown Club to a second Pinochle Tournament to be held at the Moila Club the evening of May 22.

 The Rotary International Convention at Los Angeles, California, June 3—7, 1962, was attended by President Frank and Mrs. Gee, Immediate Past President Dwight and Mrs. Dannen, and David and Mary Jo (daughter of President Joe Abey) Hornaday, all from the St. Joseph Rotary Club.  The Club ended the year with 160 active members.

 Notable Events During Fiscal 1961—1962

·        The Decennial Census of 1960 counted 179,323,175 noses in the United States as of April 1, 1960.

·        The downing of a U.S. U-2 intelligence plane over the Soviet Union and the conviction of its pilot 1^st Lt. Francis Powers made headlines for months.  Lt. Powers was convicted by the Soviet court but was released in the spring of 1962.

·        May 5, 1961, Commander Alan B. Sheppard, jr., 37, of the U.S. Navy became the first U.S. Astronaut, May 5, when he rode a 2,300 pound Project Mercury capsule dubbed the “Freedom 7: into a sub orbital flight and came back to earth safely.  Sheppard’s capsule was launched from Cape Canaveral, Florida, by means of a Redstone Rocket at 9:34 EST and made a maximum speed of 5,000 MPT.  He landed in the Atlantic Ocean 15 minutes later, some 302 miles from the launching point.  For about five minutes he was in the “weightless stage.”

·        Dr. Thompson E. Potter was elected president of the St. Joseph Civic Music Association.

·        James M. Hower was elected president of the St. Joseph Underwriters Association.  Both men are members of the St. Joseph Rotary Club.  Dr. Potter is now President-Elect for 1962—1963.

·        July 21, 1961:  Captain Virgil (Gus) Grissom, 35, of the U.S. Air force, rode a Mercury Capsule to an altitude of 118 miles, July 21 in a 16 minute flight that made him the second American, and third known human being to rocket into the edge of space.  He came down safely, but his 4,040-pound capsule sank into the Atlantic Ocean 303 miles from the launching point.  A Redstone rocket was used.  Grissom achieved a top speed of 5,280 MPH.

·        The St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce elected Rotarian Kenneth L. Johnson as president for the year 1962.

·        The Civic Music Association is headed this year by Rotarian James M. Hower.

·        February 20, 1962:  U.S. Astronaut orbits three times.  Marine Lt. Col. John Glenn, Jr., 40, circles the earth three times in orbit in a Mercury Capsule and comes down safely in the Atlantic Ocean.  Glenn was the first American to go into orbit.  He and his bell-shaped capsule, which he had named “Friendship 7” was shot skyward from Cape Canaveral’s pad 14, at 9:46 a.m. EST in the nose of an Atlas Rocket booster 109D with a thrust estimated at 360,000 pounds, and went into orbit at a top speed of 17,555 MPH.  Each circuit of the earth took 88.2 minutes. Glenn traveled a total of 81,000 miles.  A few days later, Glenn and his wife were given one of the largest parades ever held in New York, and this parade was viewed by millions over the several TV networks.

·        April 11, 1962:  Fire of undetermined origin destroyed a building housing considerable equipment at Memorial Park Cemetery.  The damage was expected to be about $40,000, said Past President Carl Schuchardt, manager.

·        Past President Dwight L. Dannen was elected president of the St. Joseph School Board and again heads the United fund for 1962.

·        May 9, 1962:  One of the largest crowds in the 36 year history of the apple Blossom Parade watched this afternoon what was called one of the best parades in a third of a century.  A crowd estimated at 50,000 to 55,000 lined the parade route through the business district.  The queen was Miss Jeannie Birt, a 14-year-old Gower High School freshman.

1962-1963

* Whaley replaced Earl Miner

Dr. Thompson E. Potter   President 1962-1963

 The president of Rotary International was Nitish C. Laharry of Calcutta, India.  Everett Brown from the Maryville club was governor of District 603.

Our 1962-63 Rotary year started out with a bang, after my own inauguration, with a report of the 1962 convention by Frank Gee, retiring president.  Early in the year, Rotarians Jake Ford, Mont Mead, Stan Cox and James Hower were chosen for and played important positions in the United Funds Drive, the first two named being director and executive director, respectively.  At this time, we were saddened by the departure of one of our oldest and most respected Rotarians, Dr. C.M. Chilton, who passed away at the age of 94.

Bob Barrie and Stan Cox were honored by supreme achievements in the Safety Organization, and the “I like St. Joseph” group, spearheaded by Carl Schuchardt and Waldo Burger, started the movement to bring a branch of the Tarkio College here.  Our newly elected first vice-president, Earl Miner had to resign because of his transfer to New York City, and the Club felt a distinct loss in this.  He was ably replaced by Vol Whaley, who will assume the presidency of the Club next year.

Death and transfers and many new members seemed to be a mark of my year in the presidency.  We took in more new members than we had for many years, but also lost a good many.  However, the membership increased approximately eight, despite the tremendous turnover.

In the early part of the year, one of our respected members, Lester Miller, past president and president emeritus of the Boy Scouts, died after a long illness.  Rev. John Cowan was appointed to the newly created City Health and Welfare Board, and our golf tournament at Moila Country Club was even more of a success than previously.  We were saddened by the death of Harry Korns in a street accident.

At about the same time we had our memorable deer hunt in Sheridan, Wyoming, in October 1962, in which about 25 members participated, all getting a deer and having a splendid time, thanks to the arrangements of a committee headed by Dr. Ernest Wadlow and Glen ridges.  About this time the Cuban missile crisis was on us, and at our annual banquet, Dr. Nicholas Nyaradi of Bradley University presented a most memorable address, which made a great impression on all the Rotarians present.

A summer activity, that was enjoyed by a large number of Rotarians and their Anns, was a special bus trip to the Kansas City Starlight theatre.  This committee was ably headed by O.E. Gookins, and represented a lot of planning on the part of the committee.

Our old friend and Rotarian, Erba Smith, passed away after a long illness, and also, in November 1962, Rotarians Wilbur McDonald, Herb Warres, and President Tom Potter were recognized in the paper as among the 12 members in this community of the American College of Surgeons.

A memorable program was given on December 4, 1962, by Donald Voorhees, nationally known conductor of the Bell Telephone Hour, who also was here to guest conduct the St. Joseph Symphony Orchestra.  The year was brought to an end with our traditional successful students Christmas Party.  This seemed a fitting climax to a year in which we had increased our participation as a 200% club in the Rotary Foundation program for the year 1962.  It was also a fitting climax of many fine programs secured by our hard-working program committee under the continued able leadership of Dr. Walter Kimball.

In January 1963, Past President Frank Gee was nominated for Rotary District Governor by our club, and also a very extensive article on Rotary International appeared in several national magazines.  Rotary took large steps forward this year under the leadership of the first Asian president of Rotary International, Nitish Laharry.

Many business successes, promotions and notable achievements of various Rotarians were continuously listed in our papers, resulting in more than the usual number of recognitions and fines at our weekly club meetings.  In the spring, club president, Dr. Tom Potter was elected president of the St. Joseph Symphony Society in the beginning of its fifth year, and Rotarian Carl Schuchardt was elected president of community Concerts for the coming year.

Our club gave a tremendous contribution to the community with the Free Enterprise Forum, at which Dr. Hyaradi returned and spoke not only to the general public in an all-day forum, but to each of the High School assemblies.  This extensive enterprise, which required much planning, was ably headed by second vice-president Mel Brown.  The Rotary District Conference in April, in Maryville, was a very inspiring and well-attended affair with about 20 Rotarians and their Anns attending.  It was held on the campus of Northwest Missouri State College, under the fine leadership of District Governor Everett Brown.  Dr. Nyaradi appeared on the program.

A few days later, under the sponsorship of our club, he gave an address at a joint Civic Club meeting of all the service clubs of St. Joseph, attended by 900 people.

Again we were saddened by the death of one of our former presidents, Fred Karr.  As previously mentioned, our club was most unfortunate during the year in losing many of our long time outstanding and faithful members.

A fitting climax to the 1962-63 year took place in two different spheres, the first being our traditional enterprise, the Rotary Boys Camp at Camp Marvin Hillyard, attended by 80 underprivileged boys, and the second being the first Rotary International Convention to be held close to home in many years, at St. Louis, Missouri.  This was attended by the president, Dr. Tom Potter, Vol Whaley, Frank Gee, Leon Rosen, Mel Brown, William Guenther and our own executive secretary, Bernice Johnson.  The convention was the usual tremendous affair attended by approximately 13,000 Rotarians from all over the world, a very worthwhile and inspiring experience for all.

My year in the presidency was culminated by this convention, and in handing over the reins in June, 1963, to newly elected president, Vol Whaley, I am sure that the Club has been strengthened, has had a worthwhile year, and will continue forward to new accomplishments, charitable and community activities, and valuable experiences for all.  As a contribution to the more proper functioning of the club, the president formulated and introduced for passage a comprehensive by-law revision in two spheres that were brought into focus more sharply y two main overall events of the year, namely, the International Convention, and the designation of Frank Gee as District Governor.  These two by-laws had to do with choosing, sending and financing delegates to Rotary International Conventions, so that we would always be represented, and brought some order out of no previous specific method of doing this.  In regard to the District Governor, the amendment was adopted in that he, or any officer of Rotary international, including a Rotary International committee, would e a member of the board as long as he held such office, irrespective of any office held in the local Rotary Club.

The members, officers, board of directors, committee chairmen, and hardworking members of committees did a splendid job, and we are very thankful for all their energy and efforts.

Notable Events of Fiscal 1962—1963

·        July 7:  Lester B. Miller, past president of this club and retired Boy Scout Executive died at the age of 65.

·        July 18:  The largest space vehicle ever sent aloft, a balloon which inflated to the height of a 13-story building, was rocketed 922 miles above the Atlantic Ocean as a forerunner of an advanced Echo communications satellite.

·        October 23:  President J.F. Kennedy ordered a United States “Quarantine” blockade of Cuba.  Continental Can Co. doubled the size of its plant on the Easton Road.

·        August 23:  Annual golf tournament at Moila.  114 golfers; 173 attended dinner.

·        October 9:  The Club donated $225 to the Bantam Football League.

·        October 23:  Thirty Rotarians and their wives left for Sheridan Wyoming, for a Rotary Deer hunt sponsored by the Sheridan Rotary Club in the Big Horn Mountains.  Dr. E.E. Wadlow and Glen Bridges were in charge of the arrangements.

·        January 23:  12 degrees below zero on January 23, 1963

·        January 22:  James M. Hower was reelected as president of St. Joseph Community Concert Association.

·        January 16:  Fire swept through a Woodbury Chemical Co. warehouse at 720 South 4^th Street, destroying the building and its contents.

·        January 22:  A bill calling for a Missouri University branch here to provide third and fourth year college work was introduced into the Missouri House of Representatives.

·        January 30:  Barent Springsted, Jr., was elected chairman of the Salvation Army Advisory Board.

·        January 31, St. Joseph tied for second place in its population class in a National Safety Council rating of cities with low traffic fatality rates.  Walter D. Ladd is head of the Safety Council in St. Joseph.

·        November 16:  Don K. Spalding, potentate of Moila Temple, welcomed George M. Klepper, imperial potentate of the Shrine of North America.

·        December 6, 1962:  Donald Voorhees, conductor of the Bell Telephone Hour Orchestra, was the guest conductor of the St. Joseph Symphony Orchestra.

·        May 4:  By Laws amended.

·        June 1963:  Rotary International Convention held in St. Louis, Mo.  The Rotary Club entered a float in the Apple Blossom Parade.

1963—1964

 Rotary International President:  Carl P. Miller, Los Angeles, CA

District Governor, District 603:  F.O.R. (Fork) Keeney, Liberty, MO

 President Volney Whaley was in the Missouri Methodist hospital on July 7 when the officers were to be installed.  District Governor F.O.R. Keeney had charge of the installation.  Officers absent, besides the president, were Al Hansen, Milt Taylor, Don Chew and Gil Pickett.  All installation proceedings were recorded on a tape recorder and then taken to the hospital for President Vol to hear.  The dedication service was handled by Rabbi Myron Meyer.

 Members on July 1, 1963 were 153.  Members on June 30 1964 were 154.

Donations and Gifts

Fiscal 1963-1964 Events 

·        August 21, 1963:  Annual district Golf Tournament at Moila.  Golfers, 103: Banquet, 168.

·        October 1963:  President Vol was in the Barnes Hospital, St. Louis, MO for two weeks.

·        October 3, 1963:  A special train to Kansas City to see the Chiefs play the San Diego Charges.  Total cost $9.50.

·        October 20, 1963:  R.I. President, Carl Miller, spoke at the American Royal building in Kansas City; several members attended.

·        November 5, 1963:  The Club honored all past presidents at the annual birthday party.

·        November 19, 1963:  Meals to guests and visiting Rotarians were raised from $1.65 to $1.80.

·        November 19, 1963:  Dr. E. Stanley Jones, noted Methodist missionary and Evangelist was the speaker at the Club’s regular meeting.

·        April 1, 1964:  Dues were raised from $32.40 to $36.00 per quarter to cover the increased cost of meals.  Meals were raised from $1.80 to $1.85.

·        April 24—26, 1964:  The St. Joseph Club was the host at the “House of Friendship” at the District Conference at Excelsior Springs and Liberty.

 Other Events of 1963—1964

·        Carroll Proctor left for Salzburg, Austria to study voice.

·        The Club won 1^st place in the Service Club Salvation Army Christmas Kettle Drive.  The Club received an engraved bell.  Milton Taylor was chairman of the Club team.

·        The Uptown and South Side rotary clubs entered a “Rotary Float” in the Annual Apple Blossom Parade.

·        Leon Rosen, club secretary, arranged with the Post Office to have the club bulletins sent at “Non Profit Organization Rate.  This was a saving to the Club of about $170 per year.

·        Frank Gee, Mel Brown, Fred Neudorff, Wally Burger and Carl Schuchardt presented a “pro Free Enterprise” program at the Maysville Rotary Club.

·        St. Joseph was host to the NAIA National Collegiate Baseball “World Series”, June 8 through June 12.

·        The Club sponsored 30 youngsters at the “Y” Camp.

·        Ed Michel passed away.

·        Rabbi Myron Meyer presented retiring President Vol Whaley with his past president’s pin.

1964-1965 

President of Rotary International:  Charles W. Pettengill, Greenwich, CT

District Governor, District 603:  Frank H. Gee, St. Joseph, Mo.

The 54^th year of the St. Joseph Rotary Club was a most eventful year and very stimulating. A continuous and active campaign for membership raised our Club membership to an all-time high of 169. 

 “Determination alone is omnipotent,” and this was proven by the efforts of District Governor, Frank Gee, assisted by Past Presidents Russell Peck and Ernest Wadlow in the establishment of our new Rotary Club, St. Joseph East, with a Charter Date of March 19, 1965.  Their original membership was 34 with only two members of our St. Joseph Club transferring membership due to the primary location of their business activities.

 With the admission of the new Rotary Club, our total Rotary membership in the St. Joseph area, including the St. Joseph South Side club, reached 260.

 On April 6, 1965, St. Joseph East Rotary Club and officers were presented with their initial Rotary Charter.  176 Rotarians and their wives and guests attended this most eventful occasion in the Crystal Room of the Hotel Robidoux.

 H. Roe Bartle, past District Governor, when we were District 134, was the principle speaker.

 Under the leadership of Ralph Ryman, we formed our first bowling team.  Captain Ryman rallied around him such experts as Warren Letts, Vern Coder, Glen Bridges, Dick Leflet, and Dr. Thompson Potter.  Their first season was one of getting accustomed to bowling together, and they did not fair as well as they might have in the Service Club League.  However, the strong prediction was for them to become champions in the years ahead.

 In October, a committee composed of Bob Finch, Russell Peck, and Mel Brown, with Bob Finch acting as the chairman and spark plug, promoted a Rotary Golfing trip of 24 Rotarians and their wives to Colorado Springs at the Broadmoor Hotel.  This was a four-day affair leaving on Thursday evening and returning to St. Joseph early Monday morning.  The prediction from the first such trip is that this may very easily become an annual fall event for those who are especially interested in golfing.

 On the date of August 12, with the good assistance of the South Side Club, the 10^th Annual rotary Golf Tournament was held with approximately 129 attending the evening dinner, and a substantial number participating in the golfing event.  This is open to the entire District #603, and each year it becomes evident that the program is more popular and more widely attended.

 Our club participated strongly in the Annual Service Club Day Kettle Drive of the Salvation Army.  This project is one under the Special Activities Committee chaired by Past President Ed Gookins.

 Due to the death of Dr. Walter Kimball on July 2, 1964, Whitney Potter accepted the responsibilities of Program Chairman, assisted by Harry F. Barton.  Dr. Walter Kimball had accepted the responsibility of Program Chairman for 40 years and had ably served the Club with excellent programs.  Dr. Kimball was the last charter member of the Club who was still active in the Club and had a perfect attendance record of 38 years.

 Under the direction of Whitney Potter, our programs were varied appreciably and a wider variety of subjects was introduced.

 During the week of June 7, St. Joseph played host to the N.A.I.A National College Baseball “World Series", and the committee set aside a special Service Club Day when they invited members of all the service clubs to attend the game during their normal meeting time.  The Holiday Inn furnished the box lunch, and the clubs contributed to the National College Baseball “World Series", the difference between the cost of the box lunch and our normal luncheon.  In this way we took an active part in participating in the financing of this excellent program.

 Four members of our club attended the Rotary International Convention in Atlantic City from May 30 to June 3.  They were the immediate president, Findley F. Fiske, and incoming second vice president, Milton W. Taylor.

 On March 18, 1965, Mrs. Alta L. Gerard was hired as Executive Secretary.  For nearly 20 years, her Rotary husband, Glenn D. Gerard, a member of the South Side St. Joseph Rotary Club, has been District Rotary Secretary.  We are very happy to have them on the St. Joseph Rotary Club Team, and we feel that with their vast knowledge of Rotary and many years of experience, they will be a very valuable asset to the Club.

1965-1966

Don K. Spalding  President

 Rotary International President:  C.P.A. Tennstra          

District Governor, District #603:  Robert A. Rankin

 Programs of our weekly club meetings are an integral part of our service organization.  Serving as the general program chairman for the year was Whitney W. Potter.  He assisted monthly program chairmen to obtain a balance of programs relating to the four avenues of Rotary service:  club, community, vocational, and international.  Examples of our programs included Bub Spratt, St. Joseph’s #1 salesman imparting some of his tremendous enthusiasm, Ilus Davis, Mayor of Kansas City; Harry W. Seamans, U.S. State Department, talked about a fresh look at the United Nations; and John Gebhards, Rockport, Mo, 1964-1965 Rotary International Foundation Fellow who studied in Portugal, gave an excellent overview of his scholarship efforts.

 Club 32’s birthday was celebrated with an annual birthday party in the Crystal Room of Hotel Robidoux on November 9.  Dave Rosen, chairman, and his committee planned a great party.  Rotarians, Rotary Anns, and guests were entertained by Dr. Henry Joseph Carr (one of the top ten speakers in the U.S.) speaking on “Hidden Potentials.”

 Seventy-six students from 29 schools were our guests at the annual program on December 28 for college students home for the holidays.  Four guests were speaker representatives from their school.  Harold Neidorp did his usual great job of planning and implementing this event.

 Our ladies’ day program on February 22 attracted 39 of the fair sex.  Rotarians and rotary Anns heard a program by Paula Bishop discussing “America’s First Ladies of the White House.”

 The 11^th annual District Gold Tournament at Moila Club on August 20 was planned and presented by a committee chaired by Barent Springsted.  When Camp Geiger was the site of our noon luncheon with Boy Scouts there were 72 Rotarians attending.

 Among ways our club rendered service to the community were the Harry A. Monson scholarship check in the amount of $2,192.09 presented to Missouri Western Junior College District President Dr. Milburn Blanton.  An additional $159.98 was presented at a later date.

 Rotary Bell Ringers for the Salvation Army Christmas Drive collected $181.31 placing our club in first place in amount collected among all service clubs.  Bob Carothers chaired the committee responsible for this success.  When the Y-Membership Drive occurred, Frank G. Knapp, manager of our Rotary Club team and his team members turned in a credible job.  Ten high school students from St. Joseph attended Freedom Forum, April 26—30 at Mexico, MO.  Four were sponsored by Club #32.

 The three Rotary clubs of St. Joseph sponsored a small business clinic (one-day management training program) in St. Joseph on May 18.  It was a product of the Occupational Information Committee chaired by Russ Peck.  The seminar was an outstanding success, especially for the first year, with 145 in attendance.

 A couple of fellowship activities enjoyed were the annual Rotary Card Party with Fred Neudorff as chairman and included all three Rotary clubs in the city.  Club 32’s bowling team won the service club league traveling bowling trophy, the first year it was awarded.  Champions were Don Grider, captain, Vern Coder, John Fenner, Andy Ziph, Warren Letts, and Dick Leflett.

 Assemblies and conferences were important in the life of our club this year.  Officers and committee chairmen participated in three club assemblies.  District assembly was held in two locations.  Our club hosted the June 30 assembly for officers and board members, while Chillicothe hosted on June 28.

 District 603 Conference was held in St. Joseph on March 19—20, 1966.  Attending were 35 of our Rotarians and their Rotary Anns who were rewarded with excellent programs and good fellowship.

 A Group Study Exchange Team from District 325 in India arrived in our district on April 2, 1966.  Members of our club enjoyed hosting the team and showing them industries and businesses in St. Joseph.

 Perfect attendance at weekly Rotary Club meetings is for building Rotarians.  Twenty-four of our members were honored this year with one or more years of perfect attendance.  Recognized for the most years were Harold Niedorp, 36 years; William Gunther, 30 years; Dr. Emmett Beckley, 27 years; Harry Holihan, 20 years; and Curley Baird, 19 years.

1966—1967 

 Rotary International President:  Richard L. Evens, Salt Lake City, Utah

District Governor #603:  Edward R. Gray, Maryville, Missouri

 Rotary continued to go forward with a banner year in 1966—67.  Rotary International now has over 600,000 members and 12,523 clubs in 133 countries.  St. Joseph Club #32 has 160 members.

 Our year started out with Club #32 being the host to a Group Study Exchange Team from District #325 in India.  The leader was Dr. Kayak Sarah Kari, prominent physician and surgeon from Calcutta, India, who had with him six young business and professional men.  Our club members and families housed and entertained this group for two weeks while at St. Joseph, and other district #603 businesses, manufacturing, and farming concerns put on daily programs and visited towns so that the group might have a good understanding of our methods of doing business, our culture, and our society.

 Club $32, along with the South Side and East Side Clubs, held the 12^th Annual All Rotary Day event at the Moila Temple on August 3, which was well attended by District #603 Rotarians.

 The annual 4-H cooperative meeting with the other service clubs of St. Joseph was held at the Stockyards Pavilion on September 13.

 The Crusade for Christ held in St. Joseph in early September had Herbert J. Taylor, Past President of Rotary International as its principal speaker on September 10.

 The Club Assembly with District Governor Gray was held on September 12; the theme was “An informed Rotarian is a Good Rotarian.”

 Club #32’s next activity was our 55^th annual birthday party at the Robidoux Hotel on November 2.

 December was a big month with our bell ringers raising $356.72 for the Salvation Army, then our Annual Student Christmas Party put on by Past President Harold Neidorp with 71 students attending from 32 different schools on December 27.

 Under the Group Study Exchange program, the team from district #603 lead by Rotarian Everett Brown, Maryville, Missouri, went to District #325 in Calcutta, India in January, and one of the young businessmen in the group was Dale Flowers, Club #32’s nominee.

 Our District #603 conference was held April 16—17 in Maryville, Missouri.  The theme was “Rotary Builds a Better World.”  Don Spalding, John Schafer, Lee Beecraft, Robbie M. Meyer, and Frank Gee were honored at this meeting for outstanding work in Rotary.  Also, Dale Flowers, Group Study Exchange businessman was on the program.

 On March 4, Radi Augusta Kruger, Ijul Rio Del Sal Brazil, a Rotary Exchange Student at William Jewell College, gave us an excellent program.  Since 1954, our club has contributed $3,776.35 to the program to aid foreign students attending our colleges.

 Club 32 hosted the District Assembly at the Robidoux Hotel on June 23 with 151 Rotarians attending.

 We had a great year and a lot of activity in 1966—67, and our members did a fine job for Rotary.

1967—1968 

 District #603 Governor:  George Noble, Bethany, Missouri                      

 The 1967—68 Rotary year began with Past District Governor Frank Gee doing his usually fine job of inducting the new officers.  Milton W. Taylor received the gavel from Finley Fisk and thus began his year as Club 32’s president.

 All Rotary Day was held on August 2 at the Moila Country Club.  It was a pleasant day seeing 73 golfers in fellowship representing 13 clubs from district 603.  A dinner was held and prizes awarded.  Bob Finch was honored with low gross and Bill Mytton had best drive on #14.  These were the only two from Club 32 with a noteworthy accomplishment on the fairways.

 This was a year when the upstart East Side Club challenged the “old men” from Downtown to a baseball game.  East Side referred to Club 32 as the metallic club (gold in our teeth, silver in our hair and lead in our pants).  There was a lot of congenial banter back and forth but there was never an outcome in the bulletin, so this writer can only assume that the “metallic kids” of Club 32 came away with honors.

 Club attendance stayed around the 77% mark for most of the year.  This kept us 29^th out of 30 clubs in our district.

 August 22, Dr. John N. Martin presided as Milt Taylor was out of town on business and President Elect Mel K. McClean was representing the club at the ground breaking of Missouri Western State College—a big day for our city.

 There was a Group Study Exchange to India and a report given by Dale Flowers of Geeco.  To make this and other programs of the Rotary Foundation Possible, this club has paid into the Rotary Foundation Fund $4,179.60.  In June, this Rotary District #603 sent $200 to Hozaribagh, India District 325 for a tube well.  This is international understanding in action.

 Carl Schuchardt (Memorial Park Cemetery) says while various personnel were on summer vacations, grave digging was being done by skeleton crews.

 Did you know that district Governor George Noble of Bethany, Missouri is the youngest District governor in all of Rotary’s 13,000 clubs?

 Student Christmas Party is December 16^th.  Harold Neidorp noted that this annual event began in 1938 under the direction of then President Harry Herschman.  Similar programs now follow the program originated by Club #32 and are held by numerous Rotary and other service clubs throughout the country. 

1968—1969

 Rotary International President—Kayoshi Togasaki, Japan

District #603 Governor—Rev. A. “Abe” Palmer

 One of the early highlights of this Rotary year was the presence of Past Rotary International President Joe Abey of Reading, Pa.  He presented our program on July 2, speaking of the work Rotary is doing around the world.

 The first activity of this club year was staging All Rotary Day at the St. Joseph Country Club, on August 14, 1968.  Committee Chairman Pete Ruggeri and Co Chairmen Dr. John Martin and Dr. Charles Willman did an excellent job of planning and hosting the event.  In attendance from District 603 were 79 golfers for the tournament and 97 Rotarians and guests at the buffet dinner.

 During the year, Club #32 continued to sponsor and support worthy community projects.  Contributions were made to the following: 

 On November 26, 1968, the Club recognized its 57^th birthday by holding its annual Birthday Party at Hotel Robidoux.  131 Rotarians and guests were present for dinner.  They were entertained by Charlie McCullors, Dunn, N.C., one of America’s favorite humorous and inspirational speakers.  Arrangements for the event were implemented by Chairman Barney Burnett, Bill Bloom, and Howard Christensen.

 Other fellowship activities this year included a club assembly on November 4 for committee chairmen and officers.  A new member orientation meeting was hosted by Barent Springsted at his home on January 14.  Reservations were made by 19 Rotarians.  Our annual Student Christmas Party was held on December 31.  Harold Neidorp did his usual good job of getting college student attendance and planning an interesting program.

 The district assembly for club officers was held in two locations for the convenience of those attending.  Our club hosted the assembly held in St. Joseph on June 20.  Trenton was the other assembly site.

 Club #32 mourns the death of two of its past presidents.  Dr. Thompson E. Potter (’62—63) died November 26, 1968 while traveling in Spain.  Melvin C. Brown (’64—’65) died June 23, 1969.

 St. Joseph Rotary Club had a membership of 159 Rotarians on July 1, 1968.  During the year, fellow Rotarians brought new members into the Club to more than cover the losses from transfer, death, and other causes.  Our membership on June 30, 1969, was 162.  Though not one of the high weekly attendance clubs in the district, records show our monthly attendance average varied from a high of 80.07% to a low of 73.77%.

 Another highlight of this year was reaching the 300% plateau of contributions to Rotary International Foundation.  In addition to individual contributions, the board of directors took two separate actions to support Foundation funding.  First, the board approved our Club as a 10-1 Rotary International Foundation Club.  This means annual payments to the Foundation of one dollar per member plus ten dollars for each new member.  The board also approved all fine money collected this year be forwarded to the Foundation.

 Appreciation is extended to Executive Secretary, Alta Gerard for serving the Club efficiently in 1968—69.

1969—1970

District 603 Governor—Milton W. Taylor, St. Joseph, MO, Club #32

 Many members thought, and some even said my term in office as president seemed like a decade, but I really believe it was just the fact my year was from one decade to another 1960--1970.

Personally, I had a lot of fun and lots of laughs that year. But of course, when you stand up there behind the lectern, you can’t help but laugh when you look out at those bald heads with an occasional guy with hair to his shoulders sprinkled here and there.

 It was a year when once in a while someone would tell a joke and the crowd would awaken.

 It was the last year that “pink punch” was part of the cocktail hour at our birthday parties.  The reason I’ve always thought was due to the fact I went to Hawaii to the Rotary International Convention where Mai Tai’s were not pink and were far from being punch.

 Many members of Club 32 remember two things about the 1969—1970 year.  Well, Glenn and Alta Gerard saved my _ _ _ many times.

 I had forgotten and maybe you have too, but do you remember Tillie Frankhauser?  She was our piano player.  She could play the piano; and you remember that Ross Woodbury and Barent Springsted usually just pounded the piano and hoped our melodious voices would cover up their mistakes.

 It was in September, 1969 that we had a chance to talk to Walter Cronkite via special electronic and telephone equipment courtesy of Missouri Western College.  Maybe one of these days we will get an electronic hook up with Barbara Walters.  Who knows, she might be able to charge some of our batteries.

 It was in January 1970 that Bob Finch arranged for one of the great meetings of our club when he brought Lewis Gilbert, the “Corporate Gadfly to our dais.  It was reported 123 Rotarians attended along with 199 guests; and it only cost the club $19.93.

 The 69—70 Rotary year is also remembered by many as the year the food costs went from $2.25 to $2.75, and it was at that time the president requested those giving the invocation not to mention the food.  Also, at the same time we took in a new futures president of the club, a schoolteacher named Toaster or something like that.

 The 58th Birthday Party featured the huge birthday cake that was a great sight, but it took a handsaw to cut a piece; and since very few Rotarians carry handsaws with them, they had to go home to get a piece.

 As one reads over the 60—70 bulletins, it always reported President John Martin called the meeting to order.  We all know there was never any order in those meetings.

 It was the year the Rotary Club voted to “Keep Christian Brothers in St. Joseph”, the next week, they left.

 The Club in 1969—70 spent money on its project and you can still see it if you go out to Missouri Western College and see the flagpoles and Rotary emblem at the entrance to the campus.  Your president at that time was in favor of the project because it was something long and hard the Rotarians could show.

 The 69—70 year had a rare occurrence at one meeting.  Every member in attendance was at the front dais.  Seems some jerk made a statement that anyone putting 50 cents on the front table, he would match it.  Well, you’d never believe how fast Rotarians can move, nor would you believe how many of them had 50 cents on them.

 On July 7, 1970, the 69—70 Rotary year came to an end.  The Club had survived; it was still a member of Rotary International (some were worried about this) and it was a day all Club 32’s members were happy to see.  To me, the year had been a ball and to an Urologist, what’s better than to end with a ball?

 So, my thanks to the members of Club 32 for that year of 69—70, and just think, it all happened at the grand old Robidoux Hotel in St. Joseph, Missouri.

 Most of you don’t remember the 69—70 Rotary year, but I do.  It was fun and I have fond memories of the year.  Isn’t that what Rotary is all about?  A friend to laugh with and nice memories of those who are not with us to laugh again.

 So, Mr. Rotarian, keep laughing.  You really look good to me.

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