Kettering Rotary Club History
Seeking our charter.
The Kettering Rotary Club was allowed to seek a charter after District Governor, Dr. David Warner of the Xenia Rotary Club, interceded and asked the Miamisburg Rotary Club to sponsor the Kettering group. The Kettering Rotary Club was formally organized on December 30, 1963, in the very active, progressive and growing community of Kettering, Ohio. There were thirty-three charter members that began Kettering Rotary. Our last charter member, Chester Roush passed away in 2013.
Our Club from the early years and today!
Our own 'First Ladies of Kettering Rotary'
First Woman Member: Bobbie Roland: Inducted to Kettering Rotary Club - January 1, 1988
Bobbie Roland told us that in 1981 she began her real estate career. However, interest rates were crazy high and many people decided the best way to sell a home was through auction. She had a sponsor to send her to Auctioneer School in Kansas and she then apprenticed. She was asked to do a charity auction for TWIGs - something she'd never done before. At that time, women were NOT allowed to join Rotary, but they did ask her to run a few auctions for their fundraisers for Hipple Cancer Research Center. In 1987, things changed. There was a Rotary club that had registered with only first initials and last names, unbeknown to RI, those members were WOMEN! (Gasp!) Once they found out, Rotary International revoked their charter. And the women didn't give up - off to the Supreme Court, and low and behold, women were granted membership! (Seriously, where would they be without them?) At this time, Bobbie was invited into membership as an 'Auctioneer' since the Real Estate category was already taken. She said the men couldn't have been more gracious to her and that she is proud to be a member of our club. We're equally proud to call her one of our own! So, there you have it - a bit about women trailblazers in Rotary.
First Woman Club President: Linda Crouch Roepkin 2003-2004
First Woman District ADG: Brenda Stansfield 2012-2013 & 2021-2022
STRIVE MENTORING PROGRAM
College education scholarships have a long history as the driving force behind fund raising activities of the club. In 1998 we added the "STRIVE" program that matches KRC members with local high school seniors in the bottom third of their class to help them stay in school, achieve better grades, build self confidence about preparing for the world of work, graduate and continue their education in preparation for their future. At least three scholarships, equivalent to the cost of one year at Sinclair Community College, are awarded to the most improved STRIVE students at Fairmont High School each year.
CULTURAL EXCHANGES: A TRUE 'ROTARY' EXPERIENCE
IN BOUND EXCHANGES:
OUTBOUND EXCHANGES:
We are also proud to have sponsored Exchange Students, Group Study Exchange Team Members and Cultural Exchanges as well. Pictured left is Amy Ernst, a fifth grade teacher in 2011, who traveled to Estonia & Finlandas part of the Group Study Exchange. She traveled to learn about the Education systems of those Countries. Amy, as of 2022, is now a Principal in the Dayton Public School System. Her trip was a huge part of her development in her career as both an educator and administrator. 
STUDENT EXCHANGES:
In 2009 Florence from Belgium came to stay with us. Rotarian Marilynne Saliwanchik and her husband Al were one of the Rotary families to host her (Photo right was a trip to the Grand Canyon).
An interesting bit of our history: Bob Hadley, who was a Polio Survivor, was introduced to Rotary through an exchange program as a young adult. That experience lead to his lifelong commitment to Rotary. He joined our club in 1977 and went on to serve as President, District Governor and also as Finance Auditor and Council to Rotary International. He was a member of the Paul Harris Society. He and his lovely wife, Judy, hosted many exchange students in their home and kept in touch with them. Bob was a Rotarian up until his death in 2019. He was truly a leader among leaders of our club. We miss him dearly.
FUNdraising for great causes!
* Russ Shawver 1965-1966
* John Clark 1966-1967
* Charles Dudis, PHF 1967-1968
* Pat Irelan, PHF 1968-1969
* Robert Leland, PHF 1969-1970
* Leo Dellis 1970-1971
Ted Huter, PHF 1971-1972
* Alex Kaye, PHF 1972-1973
*Chester Roush, PHF 1973-1974
James Thornton, PHF 1974-1975
*Donald Whipp, PHF 1975-1976
Charles Kirsch 1976-1977
Bruce Jump, PHF 1977-1978
* John Judge, PHF 1978-1979
* Don Hibbs, PHF 1979-1980
* John Lucas, PHF 1980-1981
* Virgil Kitchen, PHF 1981-1982
Alex Blair, PHF 1982-1983
* Bill Silas, PHF 1983-1984
Ted Pope, PHF 1984-1985
*Bob Kilroy, PHF 1985-1986
*Bob Hadley, (DG) PHF 1986-1987
Sid Gross, PHF 1987-1988
* Earl Hintz, PHF 1988-1989
*Arlo 'Bud' Ragan, (DG) PHF 1989-1990
Larry Hodapp, PHF 1990-1991
* Bill Vichich, PHF 1991-1992
Pete Luther, PHF 1992-1993
Brad Clay, PHF 1993-1994
*Larry O'Neal, PHF 1995-1996
J. Paul Holcomb, PHF 1997-1998
Bill Chifala 1998-1999
R. Thomas Perry 1999-2000
* Robert I. Barrar, PHF 2000-2001
Dick Willis, PHF 2001-2002
Linda Roepken, PHF 2003-2004
Russ Holtz, PHF 2004-2005
Tom Wiggershaus 2005-2006
Ricia Ballas, PHF 2006-2007
Jeffrey E. Stevenson, PHF 2007-2008
Kathy Johnson 2008-2009
Matt Wahrhaftig 2009-2010
Wende Wright PHF 2010-2011
Brenda Stansfield PHF (ADG) 2011-2012
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