|
The Rotary Club of Amarillo History - 1940 to 1949
A little more than two decades had passed since Rotary's "war-time" birth in Amarillo. Again in 1940-41 the signs of war were beginning to set up anew some of the original challenges to a Club which had now grown large. At this point Charles T. Crowe became our pilot. Charlie, like Irving Tolzien, recognized the value of good luncheon programs. His term provided spice and fun during a year when the members and the Club were shouldering World War II responsibilities. It was Charlie who led the organization with courage into active participation in a wartime effort. Charlie was solid then and continued to be solid from "head to foot" in later years.
Ivor Davies served Amarillo Rotary, 1941 - 42, in his genuinely dignified manner. In this year Ivor clearly revealed his qualities for citizenship. He, as president of this Club, began his prominent career of unselfish service and devotion to the community and to all its more worthwhile projects.
To Rotary in Amarillo, W. W. Rusk in 1942 - 43 brought a significant atmosphere which surrounds the successful business executive. President Rusk was a man of distinctive organizational ability. It was during his term that our organization celebrated its Twenty-fifth Anniversary with a notable program on October 1, 1942.
Emil Myer's reign in 1943 - 44 was a music education in itself. Each member might rightfully have requested a degree in Music Appreciation at the end of the year. It was a year of Rotary Culture - excepting, of course, the unending verbal battle between Emil and Cal Farley.
George "Pinky" Vineyard's 1944 - 45 service stands out as a great year for Boys' Ranch. Under the inspriation of President George the Club began raising $15,000 cash for improvements at the ranch and especially for the construction of the large mess hall, now used as an infirmary.
During 1945 - 46 John McCarty completed the Boys' Ranch $15,000 campaign. He caused our membership to fully realize the impact of Rotary influence in any community on every hand.
George Waddill in 1946 - 47 extended Amarillo to International service through our European Relief Project through which were sent enormous quantities of food, clothing and other essentials to meet great needs in Holland. It was during Rotarian Waddill's year that our notable practice of making large Christmas funds available to the boys of Boys' Ranch was instituted. The financial assistance given Boys' Ranch during the term of George Vineyard, John L. McCarty and George Waddill, which resulted in considerable expansion at the ranch and endowed the ranchers with material happiness each Christmas season, is a memorial to Amarillo Rotary.
Earl O'Keefe's year of 1947 - 48 was one of well balanced Rotary. Earl led in accordance with definite procedure rules and was careful to see that all phases of Rotary were brought into the life of the Club. It is said that President O'Keefe gave expression to the full dignity of Rotary.
In 1948 - 49 Amarillo Rotary was headed by a man of keen business intellect. Bob Clements was a man of expediency, of state and national reputation. As a presiding officer he set new standards of effectiveness and procedure. He brought to his membership a wealth of sound business information and the successful program year was colored by his wide range of business contacts at the upper level. (Some suspected President Bob may have been a close friends of Senator Taft of Ohio.)
Then in 1949 - 50 came Henry Buthker - the master of good humor, king of informality, lover of flowers - not tulips alone. Henry was efficient, indeed, but spun into the life of this Club a "gentility" and a spirit of brilliant fellowship. He would hand us a flower and before its fragrance died, he had us digging deep into the soil of "fellowship" and "service" to produce Rotary Blossoms. During Henry's term the Rotary Youth Orchid program gained wide acclaim under George Grimm, Chairman of the Club's Youth committee.
|
