Roy Whistler, internationally recognized in his field of Biochemistry, assumed the helm of Lafayette Rotary. Roy had been a hard working
Rotarian for some 15 years and the club knew of his ability and leadership. Early in the year, Melvin Covey, who had a perfect attendance record while a member of our club, was transferred to Crawfordsville.
Robert Sattler announced the arrival of a daughter, Margaret Ann.
Bruce Copeman, from Cairns, Queensland, Australia was a Rotary Fellow at Purdue this year. Our club welcomed him. Bruce had a fine personality and
excellent speaking ability.
Death struck heavy losses within a short period of time. Within one week, Paul A. Risk and John Burkle, dedicated Rotarians of long standing, passed away. Then in September, Robert Sine, a
former member and President in 1948-1949, died. William Foresman, last of the 14 charter members of our club passed on at the age of 90 in Indianapolis.
During the week of president Kennedy's
assassination, a joint meeting with Kiwanis had been planned as usual at Thanksgiving time. Dr. James Armstrong of Broadway Methodist Church, Indianapolis, said, "This thanksgiving Day is fraught with fear in the light
of recent events. We can be grateful that we are One People who can be thankful for our recent President's position on International Peace and Racial Equality and his support of the United Nations. We can be grateful
for our system of government. The events of the past few days will tend to sober us all."
New Directors elected were Walt Gibson, Karl Kettelhut, Mart Fowler, and Harold Taylor.
Rudy Anders
of Jefferson High School won our local speech contest and also the group contest in Attica. His subject was "Can We Meet The Challenge?"
Louis Wollenweber in February was elected President for the coming
year. However, in April, Lou was taken to the hospital with a heart condition and was compelled to resign as President-Elect. He remained a Director. The Board of Directors elected Walter Gibson President.
Frederick Andrews, Vice President and Dean of the Graduate School, gave a most enlightening report an "The Changing Graduate School" The school grew from 800 students in 1940 to 2400 in 1950 and 6000 in 1963. He also
related how the transistor was developed at Purdue.
Word was received of the sudden death of Warren Maddox in Battle Creek on May 1st. He had attended Lafayette Rotary only the previous week.
A month thereafter Glenn Hartman died. Glenn, a member for over 20 years, had been very active in many phases of our club, and also in the life of the Greater Lafayette community.
Twenty years had passed since the
first Scholarship-Citizenship meeting had been sponsored by Rotary in Lafayette. The 20th annual program was held in May. Ten outstanding seniors form the county's high schools were recognized along with their parents
and principals. Dan Greer was chairman of this committee and Dr. Donald Paarlberg, distinguished professor of Agricultural Economics at Purdue, was the speaker for the occasion.
On May 28th, the 25th
annual Rotary Purdue Varsity Glee Club stag was held at the Frankfort Country Club. Bill Owens was chairman, a great time was had and there was much reminiscing as to great fame gained by Al Stewart's "boys" over the
last quarter of a century. It was a send-off for the club's trip to Europe.
Former U.S. Senator Homer Capehart addressed the club in June. His general theme was that most of us have been too busy developing new
tangible things to make us happy, that we have not had enough time to work for improving our government.
Again, it was appropriate to mention the perfect attendance records for the past year and years of: Eth Baugh
(10), Ed Strom (2), Gibson (3), Gray, Y. B. Hall (5), Robert Hiatt, Hostetter (9), Lane (3), Roy McQueen (2), Porsch (5), Frank Riedel, (46), Siskind (3), Teder, Williams (9), Wilson (27), Ev Wright (10).
Roy Whistler sang his swan song and told of his pleasure in leading the club during the past year. Roy performed an excellent job and the club progressed under his keen guidance.
