April, 2006 My Fellow Rotarians - Rotary's Global History Fellowship

District 6440 Histories 2005
The last ten years saw the death of two long-time charter members of the Rotary Club of West Chicago,
Wayne Fox and Arne Knutsson, our first President and one of the few in our history to twice serve in
that capacity. Both men had perfect attendance throughout their active Rotary membership. Two other
charter members, Meric “Chip” Belding and Bruce Bennett also passed on. We lost a number of
members to retirement, resignation, or death who had been members for 20 years and more: Pat
Finneran (Past President and long-time Club Secretary) and Dr. Frank Riley (Past President and founder
of our long-running blood drive). Ron Ingraham (Past President and many years as Club Treasurer); Ed
Walen (Past President); Dr. Wes Watanabe (Past President); and Milt Sauer (Past President) -- who
graciously remembered our Club in his will with a sizable sum --as did Charter Member Fox.
The Wayne and Helen Fox Scholarship ($2,000) was established at the West Chicago Community High
School, where Mr. Fox attended and was a legendary athlete who played one year at Illinois when old
“Red” Grange starred for the Illinis. Rotarian Knutsson, who was the “Father of The West Chicago
Rotary,” was honored this past year in our Club 50 th and Rotary 100 th Anniversary project, --a memorial
plaque, stone, and Planting at Reed-Keppler park commemorating Arne and Rotary’s Efforts in
establishing West Chicago’s first swimming pool and Park District.
Over the past ten year period our Club has pursued a number of projects, -- among which are: Regular
Prairie Path Cleanups and placing a Picnic Table on the Path in Reed-Kepler Park; The Blaine
Immunization program for our community; an ongoing sponsorship of a Dental Clinic in Nepal (--set-up
by our member, Dr. John Yancey); an India Spinal Rehab multi-club project; helped fund a Children’s
Park in Amman, Jordan as well as local after party for our WCCHS prom; and regular support of the
Wayne and Helen Fox Community Center and the Humanitarian Service project which helps need
Senior Citizens. We are especially proud of 2004 project spearheaded by then member Ken Tinnes,
which provided a $3,500 special bicycle for a local teenager, who was severely injured by a hit and run
driver while bike riding.
Our main fundraising projects have been three motorcycle raffles, three art auctions, and an Annual Golf
Tournament. We supported our Community at “West Chicago Blooming” and Railroad Days. We also
closed out our longstanding Blood Drive after more than 20 years and more than 800 pints collected.
This drive (directed by the Rev. Welton Warkentin for the past 20 plus years) was discontinued in 2002
although several Rotarians continue to give in the name of the club.
2005-06 This year we held a very interesting installation ceremony, historical in nature. Past
District governor and current South American Director of Polio Plus
conducted the installation. We had families from all over the world for the ceremony during the
centennial celebration of Rotary International. It was really special. It is a significant accomplishment
for West Chicago Rotary that the first woman president was elected last year considering our club is 52
years old. Also, West Chicago Rotary moved to its very own clubhouse after 51 years.
Local Service:
• West Chicago funded two vocational scholarship applications for a local high school in School District
94 in West Chicago for $1,500 dollars each. That's typical for the district sponsors.
• We also are participating in a literacy project for community service. We have partnered with the West
Chicago Public Library District and have received matching grants for an interactive literacy project
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