Rick Kaufman and his daughter, Kimberly.
Early in his Classification Talk last week, Rick Kaufman asked us to notice the shirt he was wearing. It said, “Are we having fun… yet?”
“It’s kind of my philosophy,” he said. And it sure seems to be. Rick is one of those people who has a lot of interests and never seems to get bored.
He started his talk by introducing his daughter, Kimberly Howell, a U of O grad and artist who has designed a fun coloring book for Stoller Vineyards. It is for sale in their tasting room. She is the oldest of Rick’s two children. His son lives in Vermont.
Born in 1939 in Portland, Rick was one of 5 children. His father was one of the founders of Tuality Hospital in Forest Grove, and Rick’s ties to Forest Grove go deep.
In 1945, his dad joined the Forest Grove Rotary Club. “I grew up with Rotary,” he said, “and I’ve been doing Rotary stuff ever since.”
A pair of docs.
He did his first-ever Classification Talk at the Forest Grove Rotary, and ended up serving as club president there –twice. Probably the thing he is most proud of is the founding of the Concours d’Elegance car show held in Forest Grove each July. “That started in my office,” he said. “And it is now one of the Top 20 car shows in the world.” (Note: The next event is scheduled for July 15, 2018. Promotional materials say it benefits “Rotary Club scholarships and community service projects.”)
At one point during his talk, Rick asked Dr. Stan Kern to come forward. “We’re a pair of docs,” he joked. “We represent 100 years of Rotary membership between us!”
Rick went to Willamette University and to Stanford, and became a dentist. He also studied languages — Latin, Japanese, Russian, Spanish.
He spent a year in Korea in the military, stationed at the DMZ. “Hardly a day goes by when I don’t think of something that happened there,” he said. “One big thing was the birth of my daughter in the U.S. while I was there.”
Rick’s gift to our club–a “Donations” spittoon and stand.
He was forced to retire from dentistry due to a hand disability. “They don’t teach you in dental school what to do when that happens,” he said. “So I started over.” With a buddy, he started a company–Advanced Surfaces and Processes, Inc.” or “ASAP,” specializing in cold nano-fusion alloy technology. This technology is useful for industrial blades. Rick gave some examples of its application on Rolls Royce turbine engines, on a whole log chipper in the pulp and paper industry, and in the biomedical field.
Rick also mentioned his woodworking hobby, and had some samples of his handiwork on display. Then, he just happened to pull out a trombone and said, “If you don’t toot your own horn, someone will use it as a spittoon!” He announced he was donating something he made to the club….a wooden stand holding an actual spittoon to collect donations. “It’s clean,” he joked. He also offered to donate the proceeds from the sale of wooden “yard sale” signs to the club, and to do custom wood projects. “Just don’t hold me to a deadline,” he said.
NEW MEMBER INDUCTION
President Todd Engle presents a membership pin to Beth Pent.
Beth Pent, certified pre-planning consultant with Attrell’s, became an “official” Rotarian last week with her formal induction into the club. Originally from Colorado and Wyoming, Beth enjoys living in the Pacific Northwest. She loves to cook and bake, especially using fresh, local ingredients. She also likes biking and hiking. Congratulations and welcome, Beth!
PAUL HARRIS AWARDS
Jan Winder accepts a pin from PDG Mike Caruso.
Past President Leah Griffith shows off her pin.
PDG Mike Caruso reminded us that the Paul Harris Society was formed in 1957 as a way to honor the founder of Rotary and to do good in the world. He recognized some of our club’s members who have given $1000 or more. Jan Winder, left, accepted a pin, and Past President Leah Griffith also received recognition. Laura Tilrico was unable to claim her pin as she is still on a cruise to Hawaii.
GUESTS
Lots of visitors last week!
Pastor Cathy Davis.
Cathy Davis, left, senior pastor at the United First Methodist Church in Newberg, was the guest of Denise Bacon.
Visiting Rotarian and president of the morning club, Gary Stewart, paid us a visit.
Newly inducted Beth Pent introduces her guest, Bret Chambers.
Bret Chambers with Attrell’s was the guest of Beth Pent.
Terry Weldon brought his 11-year-old daughter Isabella to lunch.
Sherri Colon with PNW Relief for Puerto Rico was a guest of Om Sukheenai.
PDG Mike Caruso was accompanied to lunch by his wife, Amy.
OTHER STUFF
Shannon Buckmaster, who has embarked on a career as a professional speaker, has an upcoming engagement in front of the George Fox University student body. Congratulations to Shannon.
Bill Dolan said his wife Ann has turned in her application to become a “Friend of Rotary.” Great news, Ann.
Fred Gregory announced that he is taking a road trip with his wife and will miss some upcoming meetings. Safe travels, Fred.
Students at Mountain View Middle School check out the products available in the new Resource Room.
Jeff Lane reported on the grand opening of the Resource Room at Mountain View Middle School. The room and its wide selection of products were introduced to students last Monday. Volunteers are still needed. If you are interested, please contact Jeff.
Dave Parker reported his daughter, Ellie, was voted as an Honorable Mention in the Northwest Conference, which is Division 3 Volleyball. She led the conference in Assists per Set, and was 4th in the nation in Assists per Set– this was with 250 Division 3 schools. Congrats to Dave and Ellie!
Thanks to Paula Radich for her work organizing the recent vote on the club Constitution and Bylaws amendments. All of the proposed changes passed.
