District 5870 Rotary - In Memory Of

As you may recall from past Celebration of Life ceremonies at our District Conferences, the inspirational poem "The Dash" can be viewed at the following link:

http://www.thedashpoemmovie.com/

To view the We Remember - Celebration of Life show from the District Conference, click here.

Please send any information or pictures on Rotarians who have passed on to BubbaG@SilverblattLaw.com.

Arthur H. Trujillo

Retired Lt. Col. Arthur H. Trujillo,, 70, of Killeen passed away on Feb. 5, 2010, surrounded by his family. He was a member of the Rotary Club of Killeen Heights since March 2002 and just received his second Paul Harris. Art was an adjunct faculty member at Central Texas College, where he taught government and business courses. He was also an independent business/financial consultant. He was also the Killeen Independent School District board vice president.

The Killeen resident and U.S. Army veteran held an associate's degree, bachelor's degree and two master's degrees and was a graduate of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, in residence, at Fort Leavenworth, Kan. He attended the University of Missouri at Kansas City, Auburn University, the University of Central Texas, New Mexico Military Institute and New Mexico State University. Art worked in farming, ranching, real estate and other business fields.

Art was also a member of the American Legion and the Association of the U.S. Army. He served as chairman of the boards of the Killeen Housing Authority and Greater Central Texas Federal Credit Union and as vice president for finance of Communities in Schools. He was a former member of the boards of the Mid-Tex Chapter of the American Red Cross, the KISD Education Foundation, League of United Latin-American Citizens Scholarship Foundation and the Monty LeBay Scholarship Fund. He was a member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus.

Sam Kanouse

The Rotary Club of Killeen Heights is mourning the loss of Rotarian Sam Kanouse, who lost his battle with leukemia. Sam passed away, Tuesday, October 6th at his home in Salado after fighting cancer for more than a year. The district extends its heartfelt condolences to his wife, Dalena, also a Killeen Heights Rotarian, and the Kanouse family. Sam joined Rotary in January 2006 and was a Paul Harris fellow.

TIMOTHY RAY MATTHYS

Timothy Ray Matthys, 56, of Copperas Cove, died suddenly on Thursday, June 4, 2009.He set up a general dentistry practice in Copperas Cove in the summer of 1978 where he worked until current day.

Dr. Matthys served as Assistant Scoutmaster of BSA Troop 287 in Killeen, had served as troop chaplain, was privileged to help lead three treks to Philmont (a GREAT joy for him) and helped with numerous scouting trips and events. He was past president of the Copperas Cove Chamber of Commerce (1984), served on the high school Site-based Committee for CCISD, and was a member of the Copperas Cove Rotary (holding positions as past president, committee member at many levels and publishing a weekly news bulletin for 20 years.) Tim recently was awarded the Clifford Dochterman Award by the Rotary for "Service Above Self" in his continued work with the boy scouts.

In addition to his civic involvement, Tim was a faithful member of Grace Lutheran Church in Killeen where he sang in the choir, served as secretary of the Men's Club, was past president of the Board of Lay Ministry, served faithfully on the Board of Trustees and was the "right hand" of his wife (School Administrator), fixing many broken items, keeping up with the playgrounds and classrooms as needed. For a number of years (in the '80s and '90s) he directed several handbell choirs at Trinity Lutheran Church in Copperas Cove.

DOROTHY PORTER

It is with great sadness that I report that Dorothy Porter, passed away Tuesday evening after a brief illness. Dorothy was a Member of the Rotary Club of Mexia for many years serving in most leadership positions including Club President. She also served as Assistant Governor and served on various District Committees. Dorothy and husband Jimmy are Major Donors to The Rotary Foundations and have always been staunch supporters of all Texas law enforcement agencies. Funeral services will be held Saturday afternoon, June 6^th at 2pm in the First Baptist Church in Mexia.

PDG Dick Merril

PDG Richard (Dick) Merril left this world on February 17, 2009 at the age of 89. Although so many new him, they may not have known that he was the first Eagle Scout in San Marcos, and was the first to own at Harley Davidson in that city as well. Most know that he was a charter member of the Rotary Club of South Austin and was later its president before eventually becoming District Governor and serving on many committees for the district and for Rotary International.

Ralph E. Herter, Sr.

Ralph E. Herter, Sr., 81, of Horseshoe Bay passed away Saturday, January 17, 2009, in Austin. He was born October 21, 1927 in Bern, Switzerland to Eugene and Hannah Tannaz Herter. Ralph lived his first 17 years in New Jersey. After graduating high school, he served 2 years in the US Army. He said the Atom Bomb saved his life. After the service, he relocated to Rochester, New York and joined the Eastman Kodak Company. He retired as Director of Administrative Services after 40 years with the company.

He married Sybille Frick on December 18, 1948 in Teaneck, New Jersey. They moved to Horseshoe Bay 22 years ago to leave the cold and snowy north and to enjoy golf at its best. Ralph was elected to the Lake LBJ MUD Board for 8 years prior to Horseshoe Bay becoming a city. He served on the task force to examine the health care needs of the area and currently served as a director on the board of the Emergency Services District for Llano County.

Ralph was an avid golfer. He was proud to say that he shot his age for the last 7 years. He enjoyed his friends stopping in as they would play through passing the house.

Ralph first joined the Rotary Club of Penfield, NY in 1967, 41 years ago. He served as Director, Secretary and President. He was on the initial board of directors for the Rochester International LPGA Golf Tournament, a Rotary fund raiser to benefit the handicapped children’s camp in Rochester. He joined the Rotary Club of Marble Falls in 1967 and was a vital part of their golf tournament. He served as Rotary Foundation Chairman for over 10 years. He enjoyed the fun and fellowship of the regular meetings and the other events.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to the Rotary Foundation, c/o Rotary Club of Marble Falls, PO Box 218, Marble Falls, TX 78654 or The Church at Horseshoe Bay, PO Box 8295, Horseshoe Bay, TX 78657 or the American Cancer Society, PO Box 22718, Oklahoma City, OK 73123.

P.R.I.V.P. Dave Smith and his wife Judy

A long time friend and leader in District 5870 and Rotary International passed away on 29 September 2008. Dave was 84 years young. He joined the Rotary Club of Austin in 1961 and served as District Governor in 1969 - 1970, then R.I. director for 1975 - 1976 and as vice president of Rotary International for 1976 - 1977. During his 60 years in Austin, Dave was active in civic and political life. He was a member and vice president of the Austin School Board in 1964 - 1970 and was appointed by two Texas governors as chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Employees Retirement System of Texas.

I am sure we all have many personal memories of this larger then life person. Most telling to me was his love for his wife Judy. He could not be away from her for long, and when she passed away less than 1 week earlier, he was quick to join her! God's blessings are surely on both of them.

Lee Blocker - Rotary Club of Austin

Lee passed away on August 14, 2008 at his home in Lakeway. He served as President of the Downtown Austin Club and had 50 years of perfect attendance! He also was a founding member of the Austin Rotary Club Foundation and in 1993 was inducted into the District 5870 Roll of Fame.

Weyman Adamek: December 11, 1941 - October 14, 2008.

Weyman was a much-loved, hard-working Rotarian. He Joined the Yoakum Club on January 1, 1992. Weyman passed away in his sleep after coming home from working on one of our Yoakum Rotary Club fund-raising meals. He was always in charge of making his special beans for our pork steak dinners. When Rotarians got the news of his passing in the early morning hours, they walked into the "cook shack" where we prepare the meals and there in the big walk-in cooler were all the ingredients he had prepared, all cut-up and ready to go--we'll miss him.

Rotarians who have passed on since the 2008 District Convention:

Please notify Bubba Gene Silverblatt for any additions or corrections: BubbaG@SilverblattLaw.com

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Austin Dave and Judy Smith 9/29 & 9/23/2008

Austin Lee Blocker 8/14/2008

Cedar Park Bill Carssow

Fairfield Doyle Seale 3/4/2009

Fairfield Charlie Jones

Georgetown Terri Gooch

Georgetown William Lott

Killeen Heights Sam Kanouse 10/6/2009

Killeen Heights Arthur H. Trujillo 02/05/2010

Marble Falls Ralph Herter, Sr. 1/17/2009

NW Austin Jane Bates 3/21/2009

Salado Jim Reed 12/ 2008

South Austin PDG Dick Merrill 2/17/2009

South Austin Frances Waggoner

South Austin Hugh Hatley

Sun City David Medley

Temple Jamie Clements

Temple Woodrow Allen

Waco Lee Dunham

Waco Champe Fitzhugh

Waco Carl McIntosh

Westlake Nick Comsudi

Yoakum Weyman Adamek 10/14/08.

Copperas Cove Tim Matthys 6/4/2009

Mexia Dorothy Porter 5/2/2009

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