Club History
The Rotary Club of Aurora was chartered April 14, 1954 at the Townhouse Restaurant at Colfax and Peoria.
There were 28 charter members, none of whom are still in our club. Roy Miller, manager of Penney’s was our first president. We were sponsored by the Denver Club.
The Aurora Rotary Club has had a history of dynamic members who have lived up to our motto, Service Above Self. They have been a part of the many projects and accomplishments of our club. Some additional projects are listed below in no particular order or time frame:
Fishing Derby, Golf Tournaments, Trash Pickup, Habitat for Humanity, Gateway Parade, Reforestation in Jamaica, Interact Clubs, RYLA, October Fest, Pumpkin Fest, Homestead Home, Peaceful Schools, Shots for Tots, Polio Plus, Youth Exchange, Flower Power, State of the City, State of the Base
The Aurora Rotary Club has had a history of dynamic members who have lived up to our motto, Service Above Self. They have been a part of the many projects and accomplishments of our club. Some additional projects are listed below in no particular order or time frame:
Fishing Derby, Golf Tournaments, Trash Pickup, Habitat for Humanity, Gateway Parade, Reforestation in Jamaica, Interact Clubs, RYLA, October Fest, Pumpkin Fest, Homestead Home, Peaceful Schools, Shots for Tots, Polio Plus, Youth Exchange, Flower Power, State of the City, State of the Base
Club Highlights and Projects
The dates are approximate.
1955 A project that lasted several years was bringing Santa Claus to Aurora City Park at 16th and Dayton, by helicopter. Candy and gifts were handed out to the kids. They then went to the Aurora Fox Theater to see cartoons.
1958 Started the Aurora YMCA. The entire board consisted of Rotarians.
1959 Started participating in the Youth Exchange program. Our first incoming student was from Australia.
1960 Organized and promoted a bicycle safety program with the Aurora Police Department. Dollars for Scholars was started this year.
1962 A fire that destroyed the Townhouse forced us to move to the Emporia Lounge at Colfax and Emporia. This building known as the Cityscape Building was recently razed to make way for the new development.
1963 The Rural-Urban Project was a huge success. Lou Tandy chaired the program. We purchased an animal for a young 4H student to raise. He then sold the animal and the proceeds were used to further his education or to purchase more livestock.
1964 Our meeting place was moved to the China Doll, which proved to be a popular location for make-ups from Denver. Sometimes the visitors out numbered our members.
1965 The Salvation Army bell-ringing started this year. Our first location was the old Woolco store at 6th and Peoria. Fundraisers were held to finance the project of lighting the swimming pool in north Aurora.
1966 The International Convention was held in Denver. Entertainment consisted of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, The Westernaires and a musical program at Red Rocks Secretary of State Dean Rusk and Lord Caradon, British Ambassador to the United Nations were featured speakers. Initiated project to light baseball fields at Highline Park. Our first outgoing Exchange Student was Jane Radcliffe who was hosted by the Pajala, Sweden Club.
1968 Tracy Burt was our first delegate to an International Convention. It was held in Mexico City.
1969 We purchased a bus for handicapped children at First Creek Elementary School. A new car was raffled off as a fund raiser. Also many Rotarians donated cash for the privilege of cutting President Ed Legate’s hair.
1971 We sponsored a group study exchange to Wales. A project honoring the City Employee of the month was started. Rotarian Jim Murray was the first recipient of the award for instituting Student Day in Government.
1973 Pickens Tech was named after past president Tom Pickens. Our meeting place was moved to Wyatt’s Cafeteria in Hoffman Heights.
1975 The Outstanding Student award was started.
1976-77 John Fuhr was our district governor. President Ben Wintergalen, Ray Nichols,and Bob Solomon co-chaired the district convention at the Broadmoor.
1978 The Rotary Ann group was formed. The spouses of Rotarians met once a month and were very helpful in our projects. Our meeting place as moved to the Holiday Inn at I-70 and Chambers to accommodate the increase in membership. Celebrated the Club’s 25th Anniversary
1979 We purchased a van for the Red Cross. We furnished drivers for several years.
1980 Sponsored a Flea Market in a vacant space in the Hoffman Heights Shopping Center.
1981 Lyn Gamber and Bill Nakaoka became the first Aurora Rotarians to receive the Paul Harris Fellowship. The Aurora Rotary Foundation was organized.
1982 The very successful Art Auction was our major fund raiser for the next 5 years.
1983 The Pride in Aurora Project chaired by Jerry Allen was a major event. A Balloon Festival was held as the featured attraction.
1955 A project that lasted several years was bringing Santa Claus to Aurora City Park at 16th and Dayton, by helicopter. Candy and gifts were handed out to the kids. They then went to the Aurora Fox Theater to see cartoons.
1958 Started the Aurora YMCA. The entire board consisted of Rotarians.
1959 Started participating in the Youth Exchange program. Our first incoming student was from Australia.
1960 Organized and promoted a bicycle safety program with the Aurora Police Department. Dollars for Scholars was started this year.
1962 A fire that destroyed the Townhouse forced us to move to the Emporia Lounge at Colfax and Emporia. This building known as the Cityscape Building was recently razed to make way for the new development.
1963 The Rural-Urban Project was a huge success. Lou Tandy chaired the program. We purchased an animal for a young 4H student to raise. He then sold the animal and the proceeds were used to further his education or to purchase more livestock.
1964 Our meeting place was moved to the China Doll, which proved to be a popular location for make-ups from Denver. Sometimes the visitors out numbered our members.
1965 The Salvation Army bell-ringing started this year. Our first location was the old Woolco store at 6th and Peoria. Fundraisers were held to finance the project of lighting the swimming pool in north Aurora.
1966 The International Convention was held in Denver. Entertainment consisted of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, The Westernaires and a musical program at Red Rocks Secretary of State Dean Rusk and Lord Caradon, British Ambassador to the United Nations were featured speakers. Initiated project to light baseball fields at Highline Park. Our first outgoing Exchange Student was Jane Radcliffe who was hosted by the Pajala, Sweden Club.
1968 Tracy Burt was our first delegate to an International Convention. It was held in Mexico City.
1969 We purchased a bus for handicapped children at First Creek Elementary School. A new car was raffled off as a fund raiser. Also many Rotarians donated cash for the privilege of cutting President Ed Legate’s hair.
1971 We sponsored a group study exchange to Wales. A project honoring the City Employee of the month was started. Rotarian Jim Murray was the first recipient of the award for instituting Student Day in Government.
1973 Pickens Tech was named after past president Tom Pickens. Our meeting place was moved to Wyatt’s Cafeteria in Hoffman Heights.
1975 The Outstanding Student award was started.
1976-77 John Fuhr was our district governor. President Ben Wintergalen, Ray Nichols,and Bob Solomon co-chaired the district convention at the Broadmoor.
1978 The Rotary Ann group was formed. The spouses of Rotarians met once a month and were very helpful in our projects. Our meeting place as moved to the Holiday Inn at I-70 and Chambers to accommodate the increase in membership. Celebrated the Club’s 25th Anniversary
1979 We purchased a van for the Red Cross. We furnished drivers for several years.
1980 Sponsored a Flea Market in a vacant space in the Hoffman Heights Shopping Center.
1981 Lyn Gamber and Bill Nakaoka became the first Aurora Rotarians to receive the Paul Harris Fellowship. The Aurora Rotary Foundation was organized.
1982 The very successful Art Auction was our major fund raiser for the next 5 years.
1983 The Pride in Aurora Project chaired by Jerry Allen was a major event. A Balloon Festival was held as the featured attraction.
1984 The club moved to the Holidome on Chambers and I-70. The Pride In Aurora Project moved to Front Range Airport and had 63 hot air balloons participate. The first woman, Skip Schlenk, joined the club.
1986 The club moved to Heather Ridge Country Club at Iliff and I-225.
1988 The Polio Plus Project was chaired by Jim Suss and raised nearly $45,000.
1989-90 The fall of the Berlin Wall. Matthias Kuntzsch was a symphonic conductor from Berlin who had married Sylvia Anderson, an Aurora soprano. He had multiple recordings on Deutsche Grammophon records and was a guest conductor with the Colorado Symphone and other organizations nationally and internationally. He was also a Rotarian and each time he would visit our club, we would call on him to give us first hand updates on events in Berlin. He spoke with passion and with tears in his eyes as he celebrated this great event. He loved this country and Presidents Bush and Reagan.
1991 Organized an immunization project for low income families
1992 Established a Sister City Program relationship with the Toyohashi Rotary Club. Started Raffle Program as major fund raiser.
1993 Chartered the Parker Rotary Club along with the Castle Rock Club. Jerry Kraus and Doug Evans headed up the effort.
1994 Held Talent Show as fund raiser and entertainment
1994 Held Talent Show as fund raiser and entertainment
1994 Gayle Glaser was the first woman president of the club.
1996 Toured NORAD. Tracy Burt headed the committee to establish the Gateway Rotary Club
1996 Toured NORAD. Tracy Burt headed the committee to establish the Gateway Rotary Club
1996-97 Jerry Kraus was District Governor and Doug Evans was chair for the District Conference.
1997 The Live and Learn Program was started and spearheaded by Dave Myers and Chuck Truzinski. The Live and Learn Program won district honors as the Best New Program and the Best Youth Program. An ambulance was sent to Central America.
1999 Flower Power, a program to deliver flowers from the Garden Show to nursing homes, proved to be a great success thanks to Bob Stanbery and his many volunteers.
2000 The Cambodia Project is a tremendous International Project that has the cooperation of other clubs in the district.
1997 The Live and Learn Program was started and spearheaded by Dave Myers and Chuck Truzinski. The Live and Learn Program won district honors as the Best New Program and the Best Youth Program. An ambulance was sent to Central America.
1999 Flower Power, a program to deliver flowers from the Garden Show to nursing homes, proved to be a great success thanks to Bob Stanbery and his many volunteers.
2000 The Cambodia Project is a tremendous International Project that has the cooperation of other clubs in the district.
2003 The Cambodia Project, now a joint effort by Aurora, Parker, Smoky Hill, DIA, and Gateway Clubs won the World Community Service Award.
2006 The club moved from Heather Ridge Country Club to the Double Tree Hotel. The fall of 2006 was our first annual First Responders Luncheon coordinated with Dan Oates our new police chief and headed by Kimberly Armitage.
2007 We authorized many members including Bob Barrows, Jerry Allen, Debby Lynch, Ken Hostetler and John Jankousky from Engineers without Borders to research an international water project for us to pursue. A new director position was established called "Club Administrator. The primary purpose was to maintain the Club website and do a weekly newsletter. Jerry Allen was appointed to the position. Kimberly Armitage, club president, initiated the "walk for dessert" part of the meal. (It was supposed to make it easier to forgo desserts)
2014-2015 - Linda Witulski, President.
Officers: Linda Witulski President, Rob McGregor VP, Treasurer Debbie Neeley, Secretary Gene Spanerella, Social Kimberly Armitage
This was a fruitful and productive year for the Rotary Club of Aurora. Our international project for clean water spearheaded by Jim Rogers and Engineers Without Borders was brought to a successful conclusion. The people in Latacunga appreciated the clean potable water supply.
We had numerous community projects which included the following:
1. Providing and delivering Kindles to 3rd graders in schools in Aurora
2. Honoring our First-Responders
3. Partnering with The Salvation Army during the holiday season to ring the bell at local King Sooper Stores
4. Jerry Allen spearheaded the Shots for Tots program.
5. Kevin Hogan and George Peck put together the yearly Buckley Air Force Base luncheon.
6. Flower Power was spearheaded by Linda Witulski with the assistance of the new Rangeview High School Interact Club.
7. Scholarships were given in middle and high schools to attend RYLA
8. Rangeview's Interact Club supported our projects throughout the year.
9. The State of the City luncheon with Mayor Hogan was a huge fundraising success.
10. A variety of Grants were given to local businesses.
2015- 2016 Rob McGregor
2016-2017 - Patti Bateman, President.
Officers: Patti Bateman, President; Joel Kruschwitz, President Elect (PE, or VP); Regina Edmondson, President Elect Nominee (PEN); Thiensa Nguyen,Treasurer (Art Wolfe, Assistant Treasurer); Gene Spanerella, Secretary; Kim Armitage, Social Services.
The Club accomplished several community projects, including:
1. Donating Kindles to 3rd grade classes in all schools located in within Aurora
2. Honoring Aurora First Responders at fundraising luncheon.
3. Partnering with The Salvation Army during the Holiday season to "ring the bell" at local King Soopers Stores to garner
donations, starting the Saturday after Thanksgiving and running all weekends through Christmas Eve.
4. Shots for Tots program from January through June, coordinated in 2016 by Jerry Allen
5. Hosting the annual State of the Base luncheon in January with Buckley Air Force Base, coordinated by Kevin Hogan
and George Peck.
6. Implementing the annual Flower Power program over the President's Day weekend, spearheaded by Linda Witulski
with assistance from Rangeview High School's Interact Club.
7. Giving scholarships to middle and high school students to attend RYLA.
8. Successfully fundraising via the annual State of the City luncheon, this year with Mayor Hogan.
9. Successfully fundraising via the annual Golf Tournament.
10. Giving a variety of Foundation grants to local entities for projects.
11. A visioning effort was implemented with Club members thanks to District personnel support. Members wanted to continue Salvation Army support project, increase membership, expand Rotaract where schools are interested, continue State of City, Golf Tournament, and State of the Base fundraising events, ongoing donation of Kindles or other educational-support resources to Aurora schools, continue RI Exchange Student Program, and identify an appropriate International project (A collaborative soap-making project for a village in Africa fell through at the last minute, leaving both Aurora and the Boulder Club without an international project for 2016-17.). Members unanimously wanted to increase awareness of Club and its community efforts with new PR committee. Additionally, the Club wanted to partner with the International Community in Aurora: Club members Bill Wiggins and Stephen Brunston obtained appointments to the City of Aurora’s international Immigrants and Refugees Commission.
2017-2018 Joel Kruschwitz
2018 - 2019 Jim Bickford
The club moved to Rendezvous at Heather Gardens, between Yale and Parker Road, just west of I-225.
2019 - 2020 Regina Edmondson
2020 - Don Massey (partial year)
2020 - 21 Phil Gibson
2021 - 22 Danielle Lammon
2022 - 23 Tom Klein
Historical Video Chronicles Aurora Rotary's first 50 years
To help celebrate the Club’s first 50 years, a committee led by George Peck compiled historical information including photos and documents to help capture the long and distinguished history of The Rotary Club of Aurora. Serving on the Committee that gathered and sorted through a number of boxes of material were Jerry Allen, Pete Engelken, Lyn Gamber, Jerry Kraus, Bill Nakaoka, Ev Sequeira and Lois Tafoya.
The final product, a 58 minute DVD, was written, directed and narrated by Peck, and produced in association with the production company “Remember When.” It included not only pictures from the past, but interviews with several members of the club, including Lynn Gamber, Tracy Burt, Bill Nakaoka, Karen Johnson and John Paroske to help place each of the club’s five decades in proper perspective. Many memorable moments including a number from past Rotary Talent (and No-Talent) Shows made their way into the production.
The video was presented in big-screen splendor at a special celebration luncheon that included family members and the District Governor, Diane Kassel on Nov 3, 2004. It was such a hit that through the generosity of Doug Evans, Ron Maclachlan, Jerry Kraus, John Paroske and Paul Suss, a copy was presented to each of the 84 members at the Annual Holiday Party in December 2004.
Past Presidents
1954-55 Roy J. Miller
1955-56 George R. Day
1956-57 Clarence A. Rutz
1957-58 Bentley A. McMillin
1958-59 Paul E. Rouse
1959-60 John D. Savier
1960-61 Bill H. Holt
1961-62 Jack Fleming
1962-63 Verner H. Crayne
1963-64 Raymond E, Nichols
1964-65 John Fuhr
1964-65 John Fuhr
1965-66 William B. McMurry
1966-67 William T. Nakaoka
1967-68 Tracy N. Burt
1968-69 John E. Legate
1969-70 Joe W. Sullivan
1970-71 Thomas H. Pickens
1971-72 Robert J. Solomon
1972-73 Roger A. Yarwood
1973-74 Gerald A. Allen
1974-75 M.L. Webster
1975-76 Edgar J. Engelken
1976-77 Henry R. Graves
1977-78 Bernard J. Wintergalen
1978-79 Charles Kirk
1979-80 Joseph Shadt
1980-81 Gerald Kraus
1981-82 William Rapp
1982-83 Vic Barker
1983-84 Robert Brooks
1984-85 Stanley Whitaker
1985-86 William Wiggins
1986-87 Douglas Evans
1987-88 Brian Daigle
1988-89 Jack Alexander
1989-90 Kevin Evans
1990-91 John Kennedy
1991-92 Arlen Cohn
1992-93 Paul Suss
1993-94 Rex Covault
1994-95 Gayle Glaser
1995-96 Douglas Anthony
1996-97 Richard K. Richard
1997-98 Craig E. Wagner
1998-99 Jerald K. Mastenbrook
1999-2000 Ruth Ann Kirschman
2000-01 Karen Johnson
2001-02 Steve Marshall
2002-03 Kevin Hougen
2003-04 Stephen Brunston
2004-05 John Paroske
2005-06 George Peck
2006-07 Ken Hostetler
2007-08 Kimberly Armitage
2008-09 Debbie Lynch
2009-10 Susan Perkins
2010-11 Tom Nicholas
2011-12 Howard Hall
2012-13 Ev Sequeira
2013-14 Steve Snyder
2014-15 Linda Witulski
2015-16 Rob McGregor
2016-17 Patti Bateman
2017-18 Joel Kruschwitz
2018-19 Jim Bickford
2019-20 Regina Edmondson
2020-partial Don Massey
2020-21 Phil Gibson
2021-22 Danielle Lammon
2022-23 Tom Klein
2023-24 Skip Arms