The Propeller June 3, 2019 (Jun 03, 2019)

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In Memoriam: Don Pederson

It is with deep regret that we announce the passing of long time Rotarian Don Pederson.

Don served as Rotary President at the Rotary Club of North Platte in 1993, where he started his Rotary membership in 1975. He moved his Rotary membership to Rotary 14 in 2006 and was an active member of the club, actively participating in club activities and enjoyed a perfect Rotary attendance for four years. Don was a Rotarian for a solid 44 years and was Paul Harris Fellow +1.

Don was a lawyer. In 1954, he started the law firm Murphy, Pederson & Piccolo in North Platte. Don, the father of former Nebraska Athletic Director Steve Pederson, later got involved in public service. He served on the North Platte School Board for nine years, including a term as president. He was appointed to the Nebraska Legislature in 1996 by then-Governor Ben Nelson to fill a vacancy in District 42, which covers Lincoln County. He was reelected in 1998 and 2002 before being term-limited in 2006.

Don is survived by his wife June, four sons, 12 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. A funeral is still being planned and will be shared to members as soon as information is available.

The following is a message from PRESIDENT RANDY BRETZ:

He’s only been gone a short while, but I miss him greatly already. In 2007, after moving to Lincoln from North Platte, Don Pederson joined Rotary 14 and was part of our weekly gatherings until early May. Between Rotary 14 and his club in North Platte, Don had been a member of Rotary for 44 years.

I was particularly touched by comments that some of our fellow members shared. As you reflect on how Don touched your life, consider these comments:

Priscilla Grew - We lost a Nebraska treasure today, so sorry to learn of the passing of former Nebraska State Senator Don Pederson, a true public servant, devoted member of Rotary Club #14 - Lincoln Nebraska and First-Plymouth Church, and strong supporter of the cultural institutions of Nebraska. Right after completing his service in the Legislature, Sen. Pederson agreed to serve on the Board of the Friends of the University of Nebraska State Museum - Morrill Hall for the year 2007.

Chris Sommerich - Words fail me that adequately express what Don Pederson has meant to all of us involved in the humanities and arts in Nebraska, or for me personally. I am so grateful for the opportunity to learn from him, to have him as a mentor, and for his leadership with Humanities Nebraska and the Nebraska Cultural Endowment.

Nancy Finken - Don Pederson and his wife June are great champions of NET and many other organizations. I will miss seeing him at Rotary. Rest In Peace, Don. Thank you for your many, many kind and supportive words and actions over the years.

Here’s the obituary in the Lincoln Journal Star:

https://journalstar.com/news/local/former-state-senator-don-pederson-dies-at/article_30a2bde6-05a6-58a6-82a3-bb52b541f534.html?utm_medium=social&fbclid=IwAR2iPWFS7iQKMdOyuB05llvOSMmq-IzaW9pFZ65rejD8S55SMjY0SQxgnNQ

Thanks to everyone who signed the cards we circulated and sent to Don. I’m sure they were uplifting and comforting to him.

This Week at Rotary June 4, 2019

Presiding Officer: Randy Bretz

Secretary: Christina Usher
Finemaster: Kiersten Hill

Sgt. At Arms: Maury Halstead

Cashiers: Mike Renken & Frosty Critchfield
Greeter: Lorie Cook-Benjamin
Speaker: Dr. Paul Illich

Dr. Paul Illich

There are hundreds of jobs open in Lincoln and one way we’re helping fill them is through education and training at Southeast Community College. On June 4th, Dr. Paul Illich, President of SCC, will share how the college is making an impact in Lincoln and throughout the multi-county district. We’ll learn about degrees and programs in subjects ranging from adult and juvenile corrections to fire protection technology to welding and how students in these programs are filling open jobs. We’ll also hear about the development of some special new programs designed to meet the needs of our city and state.

Dues are Due

Rotary membership renewal is up and your invoice is in your Inbox. Please check your email and click on "PAY NOW" using a credit card. Or feel free to mail a check to PO BOX 83843, Lincoln, NE 68501. You can also conveniently pay at our weekly meeting with a credit card, check, or cash. Monthly auto pay is also available, contact Yolanda.

Happy Birthday June Celebrants

June 2019

Mick Hale 02 Amy Dickerson 05
Joel Sturgeon 05 Alan Hersch 08
Phyllis Chambers 09 Leslie Huerta 10
Mari Lane Gewecke 11 Dave Pauley 12
Lisa Sypal 13 Ronnie Green 17
Bob Rauner 18 Klaus Hartmann 19
Pat McCashland 19 Mary Buckley 24
John Connor 27 Carlie Harris 29
Greg Dynek June 30

TO DO: Committee Signups 2019-2020

We encourage EVERY ROTARIAN to sign up for 2-3 committees. Sign up for a new committee or stick with the one you love by clicking here. Please scroll down to the bottom and answer two important questions. If you already signed up last week, you can review your committees here. With 35 committees to choose from, there is something for everyone. Thank you for your time and commitment to our club. More information about each committee can be found at rotary14.org.

The Rotary Foundation YTD Donors

Thank you to the following Rotarians who already contributed to The Rotary Foundation (TRF) of Rotary International. If you have not already given, please consider making your annual donation by sending a check payable to The Rotary Foundation, 14280 Collections Center Drive, Chicago, IL 60693, USA or give your check to Yolanda. You may also conveniently contribute online at Rotary.org/give. If this is your first time to give, Rotary #14 will match your first $100 to the Foundation giving you $200 toward your Paul Harris Fellowship, a cumulative giving of $1,000. Your donation comes back to us in three years in the form of Global and District grants. An example of Global Grant is our Colonoscopy screening in the Dominican Republic and the Anti-Human Trafficking project for District Grant. Questions, please contact TRF Chair Scott Larson.

Rotary District 5650 Conference

The Rotary District 5650 District Conference is on July 26 and 27 - Lied Lodge and Conference Center, Nebraska City. The theme this year is “Shape the Future”.

We have many things planned – one of which will be a cruise on the Belle of Brownville boat!

Other family opportunities will be offered and available at discounted prices. Registration is open and can be done by clicking here.

Additional information previously published:

Attention: This is NOT your Grandpa’s conference!

This will be a fresh and exciting weekend with inspirational, informative speakers and family events.

Bring your family! Plan to come early or stay late. Nebraska City Rotarians are working hard to put together deals and discounts for the family in their community.

Other conference features:

- - Service project for all conference attendees including your guests - Service Above Self

- - Rotary International Representative attending on behalf of the Rotary International President

- - Blocks of hotel rooms for the conference have been booked and the links to those are below (see separate article).

Many more details are being worked out and will be released as they are finalized.

Live Help with ClubRunner

Good News! Need help with ClubRunner app, log in, password reset etc? A live person is ready to assist you. Please call our highly trained Tech Support at 1-877-469-2582 option 2, office hours 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Eastern time.

Connect with Rotary 14

Rotary 14 is the place to be.

We meet Tuesdays at 12:00 PM

The Nebraska Club

233 S. 13th, 20th Floor
Lincoln, NE 68508
United States of America

Email:

rotary14lincoln@gmail.com

Jun 11, 2019

Scott Benson

Sustainability/renewable energy at LES

Jun 18, 2019

Hans Sturm

Meadowlark Music Festival

Jun 25, 2019

Randy Bretz & Mailani Veney

Yearend Awards & Changing of the Guard

View entire list

Yolanda Hoffman
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