Grand Island News

Posted by Hank Kammerer

CENTRAL TO ROTARY

Governor Lisa wanted the District to post something more about our recently deceased friend, Richard Earne, PDG.  It seemed most fitting to post a message we received from Hank Kammerer, a fellow Rotarian and his friend.  Hank wrote:
 
re. Richard Earne (1943 – 2022), Central to Grand Island Rotary – My thoughts:
 
Dick Earne, fellow Cornellian, fellow Grand Islander, fellow Rotarian. Sometimes a difficult soul, always hard working and devoted to the greater good that Rotary, in its service, expressed to the world.
 
Joined Grand Island Rotary, and thus the larger world of Rotary International also: December 1978  (thus a Member for 44 years)
 
President of Grand Island Rotary:  1990 – 91,  2018 – 19,  2019 – 20
 
District Governor, Rotary District 7090, covering western NY and southern Ontario:  2006 – 07
 
Devoted advocate for the Early Act program of Rotary for elementary-aged youth and a leader in raising awareness, and funds, for the Rotary Foundation, where he was a nine-times over Paul Harris Fellow.
 
Whether he was picking up trash along the Beaver Island Parkway; driving a Ukraine Open World team around; ringing the Bell, or restocking food for Salvation Army; cleaning, scrubbing, moving furniture for Habitat For Humanity or Afghan refugee new arrivals; he was always THERE. Beyond his Temple devotion, he made Rotary service to mankind a center of his life. We are the better for having been in his presence and will forever use Dick Earne as an example of a full life of SERVICE. 
 
From the District:  To those of you who served as presidents during Dick's year as governor, do you remember the little rocks he gave out during his club visits?...then DG Dick was speaking to the effect one has on the world through Rotary service, like a little stone tossed into a big pond.  Thank you PDG Rick Sterne for reminding us of his challenge to clubs as Governor.