July Rotarian Spotlight

This month’s spotlighted Rotarian grew up in several places but mostly Helena, Montana. He attended no less than five (5) high schools and ultimately graduated in 1947 from Helena High School, home of the Bengal Tigers. He went on to attend Leland Stanford Junior University in Stanford, California and was a member of the class of 1951. He graduated with a degree in civil engineering.

In 1953 John (Jack) Ratchye married Harriette (Hap for short) and on June 6th of this year they celebrated their 59^th wedding anniversary. They have four grown children, Sarah, Jane, John and Owen.

Jack’s first job was during World War II where he worked as a rodman on survey crew. He worked six – ten hour days per week and was paid $45 per month. That works out to 17 cents per hour. 

His most memorable Rotary experience was being President of the Ranchester-Dayton Rotary Club.  He likes the fact that Rotary promotes and maintains the program to eliminate polio worldwide and he has previous served on Bill Dineen’s committee to stage a dinner/dance.

He previously owned interests in two gold mines, one successful, one not. Additionally, Jack served as the executive director of the Wyoming Mining Association. It was this executive director’s position that brought Jack and Hap to Cheyenne in 1986.

In his free time, Jack enjoys reading, traveling, visiting old friends, visiting his children and doing the many things that his wife thinks are important. Jack does not have a favorite menu and enjoys all foods except egg plant.

The Sergeant of Arms will now present Jack with a $25 Greater Cheyenne Chamber of Commerce gift certificate.