December 10 Program

 

"I was born and grew up in Eagle Rock, a suburb of Los Angeles, California, sometimes referred to as a (milk stop between Pasadena and Glendale). After graduating from high school I went onto trying several colleges which did not agree with my philosophy that having fun was more important. This led to a 17-year career in the insurance industry that was interrupted with an invitation that started Greeting from the President of the United States where I served for 2 years in the U. S. Navy as Disbursing Clerk 3^rd Class. Best thing that happen during this time was meeting the love of my life, Joan (pronounced Jo-Ann) she out ranked me then and still does. We have been married 59 years. They have three children Brad, Kevin and Bryan, four granddaughters, one great granddaughter and two great grandsons.

 

While living in Palm Springs, California I got involve with our boys in Boy Scouts of America as an adult leader that went on for 15 years. I found that I loved to work with young boys and came home in early 1970 and announced I wanted to sell my partnership in my insurance agency and return to college to become a teacher. Joan’s comment was something to the effect of you got to be crazy. After much discussion together they decided to go for it. Before leaving for the University of Northern Colorado, I finished a seventeen-year quest for an Associate Arts degree and Joan also retuned to college to pursue a degree in Accounting. Arriving in summer of 1971, with three boys in tow, they started school both with the help of G.I. benefits. Their boys loved the great playground provided by UNC while their parents labored at school. Over the next three years Charles earned his BA and MA in Industrial Technology and spent a year and half teaching at Heath Junior High in Greeley, Joan finished a BS in Accounting and worked in a CPA firm. While in Greeley I was Scoutmaster of Troop 5 with 28 boys, I most proud that 18 of the Scouts became Eagle Scouts while I was Scoutmaster.

 

In fall of 1974 we moved to Gunnison, Colorado where I worked as a Professor of Industrial Technology, in 1985 I earned the Doctor of Education degree, I spent the last my nine years of my tenure of 26 years as the Chair of the Art and Technology Department. Joan worked as a CPA partner in the firm of Yale and Tutor CPAs. Charles retired from WSC in 2000, Joan sold her practice in 2002, and she continues to take care of a few clients that would not stay with the new owners of her former firm

 

I became a member of the Rotary Club of Gunnison in 1985 I served on many committees, board of directors’and was President 1997-98. I became 5470 District Governor Nominee Designate for the years 2002-03, his Rotary Governor Class became to be known as the class of 9/11 because they started their training on the morning of N.Y. Trade Center and Pentagon attacks. They are also known as the Luv Govs because Bhichai Rattakul’s, R. I. President, theme was Sow the Seeds of Love. Of special note Fred Erb served as an Assistant Governor during my year as Governor. After serving my year as Governor I transferred to the Rotary Club of Crested Butte where I continued serve on various committees and on the board of directors. I was District 5470 District Trainer from 2004 to 2008. My wife and I are Paul Harris Fellows, Major Donors and Charter Members of the Bequest Society, all of our sons are Paul Harris Fellows. I was honored to be one of 370 Rotarians throughout the world to receive The Rotary International Foundation’s Citation for Meritorious Service in 2005. I hope that each member in Rotary a would become a sustaining member of the The Rotary Foundation.

 

I am honored to be a member of the Rotary Club Highlands Ranch."