Rotarian of the Week 01-18-12

Our Rotarian of the week grew up in rural, north east Iowa, near Waukon. His first paying job, was working for his father on the farm. He made fifty cents an hour. He graduated from Waukon High school home of the Indians. Immediately after high school our special Rotarian went to work dairy farming. After several years of farming, a very serious back injury forced him to reevaluate his direction in life. With a wife and three children, he decided to go to college.

Gene Engrave enrolled at the University of Northern Iowa and in two years and eight months graduated with a degree in Accounting. Gene has been married to his lovely wife Fayline for 51years. They have four adult children. Larry has his own CPA firm in Denver, Mike is a senior loan officer with First National Bank in Greeley, Greg is an Attorney, CPA practicing International Tax law in Portland, and Jillene is teacher in the Laramie County School District #1 right here in Cheyenne.

Gene is proud of the fact that he was able to graduate college in less than three years … with a family … and do it with less than $1000.00 in student loans. He and Fayline are also very proud that they were able to encourage all four of their children to continue their education. They are all University of Wyoming Graduates.

Gene is very proud of the fact “Leadership Cheyenne” got started during his tenure as President of the Chamber of Commerce in 1985.  He remembers naming Perry Dray  as the dean of education and making him responsible for organizing that first “Class”.

Gene was first sponsored into Rotary in 1978; in 1996 Perry Dray sponsored Gene into the Rotary Club of Cheyenne. Genes most memorable Rotary experience was when he was in charge of the Rotary Ball…he had lined up some young boys to open the doors for ladies and guests as they arrived… the boys were to escort the ladies onto the Red Carpet… As the evening began… a fellow Rotarian came up to Gene and commended him for the good idea … having the boys park the cars… Gene ran outside just in time to see ….a 14 year old boy who could barely see over the dash…. driving off in someone’s new BMW… fortunately …there were no accidents … and all ended well…

Gene has served on various committees over the years ….as well as on the Rotary Club Board of Directors.

He likes Rotary for all of the wonderful work it does to encourage young people in education and for the friendship and good times at the “get away table”.

His favorite Meal is medium rare lamb chops with a good salad.

In his free time Gene  enjoys golf, hunting, building doll houses, collecting western art and visiting galleries and museums. 

In recognition of his service to our Club and our Community the Sargent at Arms will present Gene Engrave with a gift Certificate.

Congratulations and thank you…. Gene