Rotary Club of Doylestown Celebrates 90 Years of 'Service Above Self'

The Rotary Club of Doylestown celebrated its 90th anniversary on Oct. 22 at the historic Aldie Mansion in Doylestown. Rotary International recognized the club and its Rotarians for 90 years of “Service Above Self.”

The recognition ceremony was conducted by John Ortolf, president of the Rotary Club of Doylestown, and centered on the club’s 90 years of contributions to the community and the service of individual Rotarians. Seventy Rotarians and guests were joined by District Governor Gary Fedorcha and former District Governor Tony Jannetta for the club’s celebration.

First established in 1924, the Rotary Club of Doylestown has carried out the organizations mission of “Service Above Self” through a variety of local and international initiatives. Within the last five years, the club has funded 40 local and international projects; distributed over $80,000 in community grants; given $60,000 in college scholarships; and donated $40,000 from individual members to the Rotary Foundation.

Internationally, the club has sponsored projects for water wells in Kenya; water filters in Peru; a dairy co-op in India; a sanitation project in Malawi; and through the Shelter Box program, they have provided emergency shelters to locations around the world. Locally, through the community grant program, the club has funded training of an SPCA enforcement officer; repaired the sidewalk to a group home; and sponsored multiple child-abuse prevention programs.

During the 90th anniversary celebration, individual Rotarians were recognized for their years of service. The members included: Ahmed Mazaheri - 53 years; Nicholas Molloy - 46 years; John Gilhorn - 44 years; Thomas Kube - 39 years; John Strong - 36 years; Daniel Green - 31 years; Richard Millham, Charles Pianko, William Vantine and William Thomas - 30 years; Max Rose - 29 years; James Schmitt - 28 years; Russell Schulz and Chris Nurney - 26 years; William Norcross - 25 years; William Angell - 23 years; Serge Roman - 19 years; Gary Funk - 16 years; Robert Eichfeld - 13 years; David Woffindin and Boyd Steinbach - 12 years; and Janet Mintzer and Linda McCrillis - 10 years.

Multi-generational Rotary Club of Doylestown families were also recognized. Individuals of the Molloy family have been members of the club throughout its 90 years. J.Carroll Molloy, Sr. was a charter member of the club in 1924, his son J. Carroll Molloy, Jr. joined in 1955, and his grandson and current member Nicholas Molloy joined in 1967. Other multi-generation families include Charles Reed, Milt Rutherford and his son Bruce Rutherford, Roger Funk and his son Gary Funk and Harry Steinbach and his son Boyd Steinbach.

In addition, members of the club were recognized as Paul Harris Fellows. This recognition acknowledges individuals who have contributed or in whose name contributions have been made, of $1,000 to The Rotary Foundation.

The following members have been recognized as Paul Harris Fellows through their contributions to the Rotary Foundation: major donors Bob and Lore Eichfeld;

Janet Mintzer, Richard Newman and Max Rose received four Paul Harris Fellow Awards; William Angell, Tomas Kube, Linda McCrillis, Nick Molloy, Chris Nurney, John Ortolf and Serge Roman received three Paul Harris Fellow Awards; Jo-Anne Atwell, Leigh Beard, Gail Linenberg, Dick Millham and David Woffindin received two Paul Harris Fellow Awards; Gary Funk, John Gilhorn, Dan Green, John Halderson, Karen Lasorda, Ahmed Mazaheri, Jane Moore, William Norcross, Chuck Pianko, Bruce Rutherford, Jim Schmitt, Russell Schulz, Boyd Steinbach, John Strong, William Thomas and William Vantine received one Paul Harris Fellow Award.

Past Rotary Club of Doylestown presidents were also acknowledged for their service and leadership throughout their term as club president. The past presidents are Nicholas Molloy 1976-77; Ahmed Mazaheri 1982-83; John Gilhorn 1984-85; William Angell 1995-96; Russell Schulz 1997-98; Max Rose (First Term) 2000-01; Larry Glick 2002-03 and 2003-04; Robert Eichfeld 2004-05; Max Rose (Second Term) 2009-10; Janet Mintzer 2010-11; Karen Lasorda 2011-12; Richard Newman 2012-13; and Jo-Anne Atwell 2013-14.

A special recognition was given to former Rotary Club of Doylestown president Max Rose, who served as president in both 2000-2001 and 2009-2010 and received a Distinguished Rotarian Award for his exemplary leadership and contributions to the club.

For more information about the Rotary Club of Doylestown, visit www.doylestownrotary.org.

About The Rotary Club of Doylestown:

The Rotary Club of Doylestown is a volunteer service organization whose members donate their time and resources to help others locally and throughout the world. Founded in 1924, Doylestown Rotary meets weekly to practice “Service above Self”. Among its many community programs, the club sponsors scholarships for high school students, coordinates international exchange programs, provides volunteers for community events, and funds worthy local projects. The Doylestown Rotary strives to encourage and foster service as a basis of worthy enterprise.