Spring was "in the air" with the sun shinning brightly through the Berkeley City Club windows. That brightness must have led us astray for we were a talkative bunch. Phuoc did ask for order and with a few pleas did bring us to order (order? Yes, order).
BobR had us bursting with song, as he led us in "God Bless America". JohnP noted our service work, the fine food, and the great weather as he asked God for blessings on all of us. George was in charge of The Fine Box. Frank opted for insurance and it was a good thing that he listed to his own professional advice. Tammy chuckled as she declared he did need it. Our guest was one of last year's scholarship winners: Daniel Bada.
The Board Meeting is/was this Tuesday, January 15 at Ed's.
And a cause for celebration! February we celebrate the 85th Anniversary of our own Kiwanis Club of Berkeley. A celebration luncheon will be February 26th.
InterClubBill proudly announced two completed interclubs: DCM (Phuoc, Ed, Deborah, Hayley, Frank) and the San Leandro Crab Feed (BC and VC, Roberta and Frank, Adele and Duane).
George's birthday was celebrated. Although no request for a chorus of Happy Birthday was heard, we did hear a few folks' rendition of said song via George's voice mail (for those that are confused; this is another reason to attend Tuesday meetings). Thank you George for your generous check of $42.00. George stayed at the podium for a second recognition: two years' perfect attendance. Congratulations on this achievement too, George.
Fenn Wilson's passing was noted; his obituary is at the end of this newsletter. Fenn will be missed; I still have his "special" fine box for my presidency on a predominate spot on my desk at work.
Happy and Sad
--VC was happy Tamara had purchased a glass of wine for her;
--JohnP was happy about a pleasant excursion with Hayley to some schools;
--Tamara was sad for missing meetings and happy to be back. At the group's request, she told her long and sad tale of breaking her leg—it had to do with excited dogs, a throw rug that was unraveling, a flight of stairs and a hard tile landing;
--Duane was shocked and saddened by RevBill's red attire;
--BobR happy with a field trip to the SF museum and the fun of overlooking SF from the top floor, reminiscing about his youth;
--Frank enjoyed his Sunday walk with Roberta, noted they were empty nesters again (Ethan has relocated to SF) and commented on his "exclusive" table;
--SecJack represented Denise who was sad to miss the meeting but happy her mom was "hanging in there";
--Jeff told a long tale of a trip to Florida and a party during the National Championships and choices in t-shirts.
JohnP introduced our guest, Daniel Bada; one of our '07 Scholarship Winners. He attends Occidental in Southern California. Having lived in Berkeley all his life, he is enjoying the "newness" of a different area. And his college of 1800 is smaller than Berkeley High! Another adjustment. He is involved in helping kids at a local high school and will be the Student Leader, next semester, of
the group that does this. He intends to major in Psychology.
SecJack then introduced our own NewBob, who talked of being accosted at his bus stop by a homeless person, who had a history of violence. Unfortunately, Bob ended up in the hospital. He has been working with the police (the culprit was known to the police) and they would, as Bob would, like to get him help with his violent tendencies. The District Attorney's Office has not been helpful and the culprit is out on the streets again (his favorite haunt is Bob's bus stop). Yes, Bob is getting police escort when he is heading to the bus stop. It was a sad story, especially since Bob is dedicated to public transit (one of the reasons he moved from LA) and takes 15-20 bus trips a week. Take care, Bob.
Get out your calendar; SecJack noted the following dates:
Feb 26: 85th Anniversary Celebration
March 8: San Jose Mid Year conference
March 15 or 16: St. Patrick's Day celebration
April 19: Casadero
April 26-27: Gualala
Dan was asked to lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance. And then Phuoc dismissed us to enjoy the sunshine and the promise of spring.
(Scribe: tjp)
Fenn Wilson's Obituary
| Fenn J. Wilson Jan. 13, 1921 - Dec. 28, 2007 Longtime Orinda resident (recently of Rossmoor), Fenn Wilson passed away on December 28, 2007, two weeks shy of his 87th birthday, in the company of his immediate and extended family while on a holiday cruise in Mexico. He is survived by his daughter Marcie Waldron, his son Douglas Wilson (both of the Sonoma Valley), his brother Earl Wilson of El Cerrito, and his sister Rosemary Bello of Salinas. From his Berkeley roots, Fenn's many years were as varied as they were accomplished. He first put his handsome 6'6" frame to the test on Berkeley High School's football field. Though his real toughening would come in 1943 immediately after graduating from UC Berkeley, when he joined the U.S. Marine Corps and headed for the Pacific Theater's significant battle - Iwo Jima. After the conflict's first wave of victory, Fenn witnessed the famed flag raising, close enough to the photographer's camera to hear its shutter click. For the rest of his life, Fenn would stand before small organizations, historians, and filmmakers, and present his poignant recollection - a talk etched in the memories' of many. Love found expression in the post-war years - Libby (Elizabeth Goetsch of St. Louis, Missouri) - became his life-long spouse, lovely and tall at his side until her passing just five months ago. On a sun-drenched Orinda hilltop, where in 1950 they built a gracious family home, daughter Marcia was born in 1951, followed by son Douglas in 1953. In business, Fenn cut his teeth as a sales representative for the Maytag Corporation. Eager, smart, and hard working, he soon moved on to join the Berkeley office of Dean Witter & Co. (now Morgan Stanley) where he rose from broker, to certified financial planner, to office manager, to Senior Vice President for investments. Throughout his 38-year-long career as a financial professional he generously shared his expertise by serving on the boards of the Berkeley YMCA, Alta Bates Hospital, and the Chaparral House. To his cronies in the Berkeley Kiwanis Club and the Berkeley Breakfast Club, he never held back a smile or a handshake. Alongside his family and career, Fenn had quiet joys as well-high Sierra lakes, creek side campsites, and the tugs of many a Rainbow trout. These were at Fenn's core, joys that somehow mirrored who he was-a husband, father, and friend at once gentle and steadfast - as solid as men are made. The family will celebrate his life with a private memorial gathering. Memorial contributions may be made to The California Transplant Donor Network (1000 Broadway, Suite 600, Oakland, CA 94607) or The California State Park Foundation (800 College Avenue, P.O. Box 548, Kentfield, CA 94914). |
| Published in the Contra Costa Times on 1/13/2008. |
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