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After once again providing fine background music for Lansing Rotarians to enjoy their lunch by, John Dale Smith gave way to President Jack Davis, who called this very special Loftus Day meeting of the Rotary Club of Lansing to order precisely as the clock struck 12:30. Celebrating a tradition which began in 1924 when Rotarian Frank Loftus placed flowers on the grave of a past Rotarian president, Lansing Rotary Club has celebrated Loftus Day since the death of Frank Loftus, four years after he began this practice. It is a tradition which reminds each of us of the many colleagues and friends who have served our community through our Club. Some we knew, and many we did not. But we all have the common bond of service above self through the Rotary Club of Lansing.
A full house of Rotarians and special guests sang the National Anthem after the invocation by Rich Schaberg, which reminded us “to look up not down, to learn from examples before us.” Trey Williams deftly moved the microphone around the room as guests were introduced, including special members of the Legg and Hasbrook families. Someone forgot the Remembrance Report (an interesting development), so the conclusion was made that the health of the club was good, we think. The Golf Outing is next Friday (so don’t come to the Lansing Center). Because of our shortened meeting, there was no special music this Friday.
Rotarian Ed Crouse presented a heartfelt tribute to the memory of Ned Legg. “Bigger than Life” is how Ed began, and for those of us fortunate enough to have known and laughed with Ned, truer words have not been spoken. Reviewing Ned’s many accomplishments, Ed led us though the development and perpetuation of the Legg Lumber Company, and its history through generations of the Legg family. With operations in both Michigan and Indiana, Ned developed the prefab manufacturing of homes as a hallmark of Legg Lumber Company. Now in its 6th generation of Legg family leadership, the company is a fitting tribute to the accomplishments of our friend, Ned. A past president of Lansing Rotary, Ned also had an active membership transforming the Lansing Chamber from an exclusive to an inclusive club for area businesses. Ned was also president of the Lansing Chamber Board, and served as chairman of the statewide, Michigan State Chamber of Commerce. Married to his high school sweetheart, Ned was remembered by Ed as a great and inspirational man. Ed never mentioned Nedd’s legendary trip to Japan, a story worthy of some future Rotary meeting. He truly was a very special person.
Kurt Guter next spoke of his friend, the late Peter Hasbrook. Kurt began by sharing that Peter’s 77 years were lived to the fullest. Friends since they met at a Notre Dame Club of Lansing function, their families became instant friends. Born in Green Bay, Wisconsin, Pete lived a life devoted to his Catholic faith. He loved being on stage, which played out early in his participation in the marching band playing the Double Bell Euphonium (ask Kurt about this one) at Notre Dame. Pete and his wife Barb married in 1961 and had 3 children and 4 grandchildren. Pete was proud of all, especially the Notre Dame grads. Go figure. Employed more than once at IBM, Pete worked for the Michigan Catholic Conference for 5 years between his IBM employment. He also spent time at the Ingham Intermediate School System. Pete retired from IBM in 2000. Kurt shared much about Pete’s service, including his achievement of the rank of Eagle Scout, and his service in the military and as a volunteer. This included his almost part in an invasion force to Cuba. Pete spent 40 years as a member of St. Vincent de Paul Society. In Lansing Rotary, Pete and his wife were extremely active in the International Youth Exchange program. Pete always seemed to get the credit, even though Barb did most of the work (we know how that goes). Kurt concluded his remarks by stating, “Peter set the bar high by living a life of Service Above Self. His loyalty to friends was memorable. I’m proud to have known Peter and proud to have called him my friend.”
A moment of silence was then observed in remembrance of these two remarkable Rotarians.
President Jack then adjourned the meeting so Rotarians could head out across the city to place flowers at the graves of our now passed fellow Lansing Rotarians. And so this fine tradition lives on.
Remember there is a big golf outing next Friday, so no meeting at the Lansing Center.
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