Bob Becker, Rotarian for 61 years, died December 15, 2017 at the age of 86.In 2009, Bob was selected Rotarian of the Year for District 5580. In part, the application submitted by his fellow Rotarians read:
“If we are honest with ourselves, when we look at the Rotarians within our own clubs, it’s not difficult to pick out those that will be in Rotary “for a season” and those that will be with us ”for their life”. Bob Becker is a Rotarian for life. He loves Rotary and all that it means, supporting his club and its members through every triumph and every challenging time, always with kindness and compassion. Bob is a man who has had to face challenges of his own this year involving health issues, surgeries and more; yet he remains dedicated in his commitment to Rotary and his fellow Rotarians. He is a friend, a mentor, and an example to follow. Even on matters where he disagreed this year, Bob graciously went with the majority and never complained, but rather committed to move forward with a positive attitude. Central Lakes is pleased and honored to submit his nomination for District Rotarian of the Year.”
Bob lived and breathed – “Service above Self” and the 4 Way Test outlined every facet of his life, always, always, giving it HIS ALL and expecting no less from his collaborators.
There is so much that Bob loved about Rotary, especially the Rotary Foundation and the Paul Harris Society. And there were so many things that brought that twinkle to Bob’s eyes… like the day when Rotary International recognized the Paul Harris Society as an official foundation program --– after years of Bob’s relentless campaigning at every level of Rotary.
Or like the day last fall, when our club held its Satellite meeting at the Nursing Home where Bob was living. Bob’s capacity to speak was challenged but the twinkle in his eyes sent a clear message: “Well, you wanna know what I think… This is GREAT!”
Once women were admitted to Rotary, Bob’s wife Jackie also became an outstanding Rotarian – and what a dynamic duo Bob and Jackie were… Hosting visiting Rotarians from around the world, Co-Chairing our Rose sales for years, supporting our water projects, our literacy projects, and so much more.
Sharing Bob’s message to Central Lakes Rotary:
At the September 8, 2015 Central Lakes Rotary club meeting Bob Becker shared his very experienced view of Rotary past, present and future.
PAST: Becker joined an Indiana Rotary club in 1956. He said Rotary was a good old boys organization with strict rules compared to today's club. A club could have only 1 member with each vocational classification. Members had to maintain 60% attendance to stay in the club and 4 missed meetings in a row constituted a dismissal from the club.
A 5 year commitment was necessary to become club president: A member had to serve as secretary, treasurer, program chair, vice president before finally becoming President. The program chair was responsible for 52 programs; Bob said that wasn't as hard back then because not as much had been done. The year Bob was President he increased membership from 48 to 81 members, something to be very proud of. Of course he laughingly admitted that was the year Rotary International removed the rule that only 1 member per classification could be allowed in a club. As chair of the district International committee Bob saw the Group Study Exchange (GSE) program introduced. In fact, he was involved in the process so early that his exchange students arrived ahead of Rotary International’s protocol on how to run the program!! I'm sure Bob managed to make it a great success by using his typical Becker common sense, creativity and, most importantly, humor!
Bob's past Rotary experiences are too numerous to recount in a meeting program
PRESENT: Central Lakes Rotary Club was conceived in 1990, gathered at the Oasis in 1991 and was officially chartered in 1992. There were 27 members, 1/2 were former Rotarians, including Bob. The club has evolved into a strong club winning many district level awards in a district of 66 clubs. We are consistently tops in foundation giving per person, attendance and % of Paul Harris members. Bob's never met a Rotarian who regretted the time and energy spent on the work of Rotary!
Bob initiated the Paul Harris society in order to keep the award named for Rotary founder Paul Harris in front of members. It took 10 years of relentless work on Bob's part to have Rotary International implement the award. Paul Harris Society members pledge to donate $1000 to the foundation annually. Every district in Japan has now adopted a Paul Harris Society chapter. That's a far reaching effect for Bob's efforts and worth the 10 year investment, and one Bob is justifiably proud of.
FUTURE: Bob encouraged each of us to attend district conference (he'd been to 27 of them!) to feel the spirit of Rotary.
He's challenged each of us to maintain the health of our club and the spirit of Rotary. While most of us will not achieve Bob's years or level of service, it's a lofty goal for each of us and one that will truly be a gift to the world.