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The Rotary Club of Amarillo History - 1960 to 1970
regular weekly meetings was outstanding in that he always had the knack for saying the right thing at the right time, whether it be serious or humorous. During Bob's tenure of office our club had a net gain of 20 in membership and our programs were good throughout the year. Probably the outstanding achievement of the Rotary year was the Benefit Basketball Game that netted the Amarillo Regional Hearing and Speech Foundation $6,000. In one word Bob had a GOOD year.
C. F. "Cliff" Milnar brought to his administration a sincerity of purpose that made for a true "Rotary" year. During 1961 - 62 his emphasis on the service of individuals in the community, as well as his strong sense of a well balanced program in all avenues of Rotary service, made his Club year one that will long be remembered. Outstanding among the many accomplishments of Cliff's administration was the second successful benefit basketball game held in support of the Amarillo Regional Hearing and Speech Foundation. Cliff proved, through his capable administration, that he is a Rotarian's Rotarian.
Roy Ratcliff, as president in 1962-63, brought The Rotary Club of Amarillo a friendly and congenial manner which made our luncheon meetings a relaxed and pleasurable experience. Roy stressed the need for a better attendance record on the part of each member and urged for improvement. Each avenue of service accomplished new goals, not the lease of which was an additional contribution of $1,500 to the Amarillo Regional Hearing and Speech Foundation. Another highlight of Roy's year as president was the number of outstanding programs in the area of International Relations and contacts. Our club attained 200% Rotary Foundation status during his administration.
"One of the best...." That was the expression of many of our members referring to Wm. W. "Bill" Irwin, our club president for the Rotary year 1963-64. His administration was geared toward more fellowship in the club; promoting children's Days, Playground Project in Thompson Park Children's Zoo, etc. We saw our attendance reach 90% several times and his Fireside Meetings were well attended and will long be remembered. The best we can say to Bill is "Thank You" for a good job well done!
Our club will not soon forget the 1964-65 Rotary year during which that very civil engineer, George Dewald, accepted R.I. President Charles W. Pettengil's challenge to "Live Rotary" and capably led our members to one of the most satisfying years of accomplishments in the club's history. Most noteworthy of many successful projects was the sponsorship of the Western Division Championship Micro Midget Races, which resulted in the contribution of $6,000 to the Amarillo Regional Hearing and Speech Foundation. A continuation of the Fireside Meetings initiated by President Bill Irwin were enjoyed by club members. Because of his devotion to and personal exemplification of the service ideals of Rotary, George has indeed earned a unanimous vote of thanks from our membership for an outstanding Rotary year.
The 1964-65 year saw one of our members, G. C. "Jerry" Ratcliff elected Governor of Rotary District 573. Jerry, who served as president in 1956-57, was well off to a good start on his year as governor (1965-66) when he suffered a heart attack and was forced to resign the governorship. The entire membership took great pride in Jerry's representation of our club and it was with much regret that we saw his resignation accepted.
R. D,. "Bob" Haynes, President of our club for the 1965-66 Rotary year, brought a spirit of enthusiasm to our club in which he challenged each Rotarian to become "personally" involved in some phase of the Rotary program. Bob's year was marked by the involvement of the membership in many projects. Not the least of these projects was the attainment of the club of 300% in the Rotary Foundation. His adherence to the principles of Rotary and his devotion to Christian ideals gave our club one of the finest Rotary years we have ever had.
The Rotary International slogan for 1966-67 of "Live and Learn Rotary" became an accomplished fact under the forceful, albeit witty command of President A. B. "Duke" Martin. Concrete evidence of his success in getting each member personally involved in club projects was our sponsorship of the International Micro Midget Automobile Championship Races, which resulted in a contribution of some $7,400 to the Amarillo Regional Hearing and Speech Foundation. Probably the highlight of the year for the club membership was a series of exceptionally informative and entertaining programs, further enriched by pertinent, and sometimes pungent comments by President "Duke." Hats off, and accolades to Dr. A. B. "Duke" Marin for a job well done.
Our Golden Anniversary President, more familiarly known as R. C. "Jack" Neely, Jr., led our club through an outstanding year in 1967-68. In addition to directing a most successful and enjoyable celebration of our Club's Golden Anniversary, his able and enthusiastic administration saw us sponsor the Rotary Club of Amarillo Northeast (chartered February 8, 1969,) the third Rotary club in Amarillo and the 47th in District 573. Together with the Rotary Club of South and West Amarillo, we co-hosted the Annual Conference of District 573, which those who attended agreed was one of the most meaningful, as well as enjoyable, conferences held in recent years. It is fitting that we end our first fifty years of Rotary under the leadership of R. C. Neely, Jr., the nephew of one of our founders - E. W. Hardin.
The dynamic leadership of our own member R. G. Mills as Governor of the 47 clubs in District 573 during 1967-68 was evidenced by a resume of The Rotary Club of Amarillo projects which shows that 99% of the goals set at the beginning of the Rotary year were either achieved or surpassed. This was, in truth, a "Golden" year in Rotary.
Charles R. Woodburn, our "Welcome to Downtown Amarillo Rotary Club" president for the 1968-69 year, grew up with Amarillo Rotary. As a child he was a frequent visitor at Rotary meetings as a guest of his uncle, charter member Horace M. Russell. Charles showed his devotion by his many activities in all the avenues of service. Through his leadership we sponsored an Ice Hockey Game to benefit the establishment of the Goodwill Industries; the club donated to the Children's Rehabilitation Center Building Fund; we continued our annual support of Boys Ranch; and more was allocated to student scholarships than ever before. Charles, with his instilled love of Rotary, certainly brought our club, in this first year of its second half-century, the same energetic leadership men such as his Uncle Horace gave it in its infancy.
Another great year in the annals of Amarillo Rotary was began with the passing of the gavel to genial Bill Foran, our President for 1969-70. One of Bill's themes for the year was to increase the fellowship of our members and have fun; and with his wit and enthusiasm, this theme carried throughout the year. Working with the Rotary International theme of "Review and Renew," there was a very well balanced program in all avenues of Rotary service. During Bill's administration, a new type of club assembly was tried and was successful in fellowship and accomplishment. Ladies Night was given a new program format and was well received by all. Noteworthy of all projects was the continuation of the International Micro Midget Automobile Championship Races sponsored by our club to benefit the Hearing and Speech Center.
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