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“Scrumptious” continues to describe the cuisine at Lansing Community College. Although Linda Lynch, today’s greeter, and I wondered what “Johnny” was going to eat if WE ate the “Johnny’s mac-and-cheese” that was served. Hmmm… Loftus Day always presents a more somber tone, and this year was even more difficult due to the rainy weather and because of the passing of four beloved Rotarians: Kenneth Beachler, Dr. Clyde Carnegie, Donald Colizzi and Duane Vernon. We were honored that many of their family members shared in today’s remembrance ceremony. John Dale provided lovely background music during lunch, leading off with, “Isn’t it Romantic.” President-Elect Rebecca Bahar-Cook kicked off the meeting with a very tentative ringing of the bell, which led our entire table to ask of each other, “Was that the bell?” with quizzical looks left and right. Indeed it was! Joel Hoffman guided an audience-participation reflection by asking everyone to cite the first verse of TAPS. Thank goodness for the audio-visual prowess of LCC’s technology staff who flashed the words up on the screen. Then Rotarians sang (some better than others of course, although no names will be cited since this is a permanent club record; plus that would just be mean) “America the Beautiful” as our patriotic song. Member Judi Harris passed the “square box” (aka. microphone) while visiting guests were introduced. The Health of the Club is apparently PERFECT. Thursday, Sept. 28th is the next social at Lansing Brewing Company, 4:30-6:00 p.m. with a new member orientation prior at 3:30 p.m. (No lunch meeting will be held the following day, so if you show you’re going to be hungry.) Due to Loftus Day, no special music was played, although John Dale’s background music is always very special in and of itself! President-Elect Bahar-Cook stated the chair of the month is Sarah Garcia. Chair of the day, Dave Trumpie, explained that Frank Loftus brought flowers to a meeting 99 years ago and then placed them on a friend’s grave later that day. Voila…the tradition was born and has continued since. (Can we anticipate a special 100th celebration next year??? Stay tuned…) Club members shared words about each of the four Rotarians who we lost in the last year: Dr. Clyde Carnegie, presented by Irv Nichols A great leader and a fast learner, Clyde was born in Benton Harbor in 1942, the oldest of 4 children. He graduated in 1961 and was accepted to Michigan State University in biological and physical sciences. He received his master’s degree in school administration and his doctoral degree in higher education and administration. He was part of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity and met his wife Cynthia, who he was married to for 64 years. They moved to Lansing the following year and he became an esteemed and beloved principal at many schools, including Dwight Rich, Walter French Junior High and Sexton High School, where he served for 22 years. He was a volunteer board member of the American Red Cross and United Way, a chaplain for the police and fire departments and was involved in many other groups. His Rotary career began in high school and he was a Paul Harris Fellow. He became our club’s president in 1990-91. He went on to serve as district governor in 1994 and received the Service Above Self Award from Rotary International. Clyde served as pastor of Friendship Baptist Church when he passed, where he had been a member for 56 years. During an especially hard time for the church, Pastor Carnegie refused to take his salary and soon after the church’s financial issues ended, demonstrating his commitment to service above self. Donald Colizzi, presented by Rick Schuon  Don was born in 1938 at Hayes Green Beach in Charlotte and the family lived above his parent’s store …Liberty Sweets. Ironically since his future career was in education, he was not a fan of school as a youngster…he even got kicked out once for non-attendance! But Don eventually graduated in 1956 and served in the Marine Corps through 1958. He attended Lansing Business College and received an accounting diploma in 1960…then found the knack for education and received his bachelor’s degree in commerce at Ferris in 1962. After working for his father-in-law’s business for a few years in Grand Rapids, he became the director of admissions for Lansing Business University. In 1973, Don became one of 75 students in the first class at Cooley Law School. In 1979, Davenport acquired Lansing Business College and he rose through the ranks to senior vice president in 2003. He was married to Tisch 57 years, has three daughters and five grandchildren. Don also helped start the tuition assistance support and served in the military. He fought for students to received free tuition assistance and assisted in presenting more than 30 ceremonies honoring Medal of Honor winners. Duane Vernon, presented by Jim Dexter  “Mr. MSU” graduated from Ithaca High School and nearly didn’t survive an auto accident when he was younger after returning from Michigan State College basketball game. But he had 70 more years of things that had to be done! Duane loved Rotary, his family and of course MSU. He commented he had been to all “49” states, because there was no basketball game in Alaska, so that one doesn’t count. He was a Junior Rotarian in high school and was a lifeguard at Rotary camp. He wasn’t able to live at MSC his first year due to his injuries, so he lived with a local family before moving onto campus and eventually joining a fraternity. He graduated in 1953 and spent three years in the military. He and his beloved wife Virginia had three children, but she passed away young and he raised his children alone. In 1986, he found his next love, Judy, and they spent 37 years together. In 1962, Duane joined Rotary and was told if you join, attendance is required! He racked up around 3,000 meetings and had 57 years perfect attendance, often doing makeups in other cities. Everyone knew Duane in the business community. He was involved with the firefighters, Boy Scouts, Box 23, numerous sports groups, Sparrow Hospital, Jaycees, and was the manager of the Credit Bureau. And he liked to pray! Duane also served as the grand marshal of many parades. And, of course, he was THEE world class cheerleader of MSU. He spent 40 years cohosting tailgates, Tip Off Café, Varsity Club, received the Biggie Munn Award, etc. etc. etc. Kenneth Beachler, presented by John Dale Smith  John Dale called Ken a friend and collaborator, and a supporter of the arts and of this community. He was the founding executive director of the Wharton Center, conducted the Arts Billboard and Travel Series and was a fine actor and director. He also had an amazing and very distinctive voice and did many voice overs and advertisements. He was also a proud military man and loved putting on the white uniform while serving as the announcer for the concerts at Riverfront Park. Ken was president of our Rotary Club and in 1998-89. In 1998, he went to President Ed McRee along with John Dale to propose special music at each meeting instead of singing the old Rotary songs. And those special weekly concerts have been going on for 25 years! Ken attended up to three different churches at a time, primarily Peoples Church, Edgewood and Plymouth Congregational, and was very knowledgeable about theology. He worked on too many local shows to name, at BoarsHead, LCC, Riverwalk, Spotlight and MSU, and always stole the scene, even when he played minor parts. He also loved directing and convinced MSU & LCC to join forces to present Evita and 42nd Street (which was part of Michigan Festival). He was also the Follies director, announcer for Lansing Concert Band and Lansing Big Band. And he was a very silly friend, asking John Dale to call him “Za-beach.” Dave Trumpie wrapped up Loftus Day by stating the common thread among all these Rotarians was the importance they placed on the community…which is also what our Rotary Club did today by remembering these fine men. We ended the celebration with a moment of silence along with a tribute song by John Dale, “Abide with Me.” President-Elect Rebecca closed the meeting reminding everyone next week’s meeting at LCC will feature Lupe Izzo. Michelle Lantz's email is: michelle@glfoodbank.org |
Lupe Izzo is a lifelong resident of East Lansing and attended Michigan State University. Lupe owned and operated the Rain Soft Water Treatment Systems Dealership of Lansing for over 20 years, which earned her the 1990 Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award in the State of Michigan.