President Tom Davis, welcomed all to the Club with the Camp for Kids for the annual memorial meeting where we remember those Rotarians lost the year. We stood for the Pledge of Allegiance followed by an invocation of trust by Pat Bolin. Guests and families of those we honor today were welcomed by President Tom and the podium was turned over to the Memorial Committee and its Chair, Pat Bolin, who explained today’s proceedings.
Jim Porter made remarks about Donald Seifert who passed away on December 21, 2023 at the age of 99 years after enjoying a thirty year retirement. Mr. Seifert was born and raised in Parsons, KS and graduated from high school in 1943 during WWII. He joined the U.S. Navy and was sent to the University of Notre Dame to participate in a Naval program graduating with a degree in Naval Science and was commissioned into the Navy. After his service in the Navy, Mr. Seifert earned a degree in mechanical engineering from Notre Dame and commenced a 40-year career first as a mechanical engineer for American Standard in Buffalo, NY followed by a long stint selling air handling and industrial fans west of the Mississippi for Buffalo Forge Company while sending each of his five children through college. Mr. Seifert joined Club 13 in 1982 and was remembered as a “peaceful person.” We joined Tom Woolwine in a verse of “Eagle’s Wings.”
David McCaughey then made remarks about Ralph Ochsner, a native of Oklahoma. After graduating from the University of Oklahoma with a bachelor’s degree in Sociology and a master’s degree in City and Regional Planning, Mr. Ochsner began a career as a city planner in Stillwater and then moved to Independence, MO to become the Director of Planning. Thereafter, he became the City Planner for KCMO. He then started a consulting firm, Ochsner and Associates, which acquired Hare and Hare. One of the projects undertaken and completed over a 12-year period by Ochsner Hare & Hare was the revitalization and restoration of the neighborhoods bordering the Truman Home in Independence. Mr. Ochsner retired in 2017 after a 60-year career. He died on January 4, 2024, at the age of 89. Mr. Ochsner was not an active Club 13 Rotarian but maintained his membership for decades after joining in 1974. We were led in the singing of a verse of “America, the Beautiful” by Mr. Woolwine.
George Gordon then remembered Carl Bolte, an active Rotarian known affectionately in our Club as “The Maestro,” until mid-December, 2023, when he accompanied his last song at one of our meetings. Mr. Bolte died on January 25, 2024, at the age of 90. He was born in Slater, MO and held a position on the Board of the family-owned Slater Bank well into his 90’s. The folks in Slater always knew when there was a Board meeting when they saw an oversized yellow convertible driving down Main Street. Mr. Bolte graduated from MU and was a baseball letterman there while playing in the band. He was a Navy captain with service in Korea and Vietnam. He was a songwriter of some note having written the MU Fight Song and our own “Welcome to Rotary,” among many others, and is said to have launched the career of Marilyn Maye. Mr. Bolte was President of Club 13 in 1978-79 and joined both his father and brother, Denny, in having served the Club in that capacity. He was a Rotarian for 50 years and a unique and colorful character about town having served in leadership positions for many not-for-profit Boards and social clubs. In his honor, we sang a verse of the “Navy Anthem” led by Mr. Woolwine.
Lastly, Linn Mills said some words about Overton Durrett, who joined Rotary in May, 2000 and enjoyed many car rides to our meetings in Mr. Bolte’s yellow convertible. Mr. Durrett was born in Lexington, MO and graduated from MU with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. After serving in the Air Force for 3 years, he graduated from William and Mary Law School with both Juris Doctorate and Master in Law and Taxation degrees. Mr. Durrett also passed the CPA exam. After obtaining his law degree, he returned to Kansas City and had a law practice specializing in estate planning and taxation until the age of 90. Mr. Durrett passed away on April 1, 2024, at the age of 91. Mr. Woolwine then led us in the singing of “Amazing Grace.”
After some brief memories were shared by other Rotarians, George Gordon led us in a beautiful benediction. Given that this was our last meeting at the Kill Devil Club, President Tom thanked the staff and servers, who were present, for all of their hard work and Rotarians rose to their feet to give thanks. Next Thursday’s meeting is at the Crown Plaza Hotel. President Tom read today’s quote, “The world changes from year to year, our lives from day to day, but the love and memory of you, shall never pass away.” We said the 4-Way Test and left giving thanks for our Club. 
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