Rotarian of the Week 04-06-11

Our Rotarian of the Week grew up in Wyoming, Ohio, a suburb of Cincinnati.  He graduated from Wyoming High School home of the Cowboys.  His first job earning money was mowing lawns.  Otherwise, his first job was in the shipping department at Procter & Gamble loading boxcars for $3.25/ hour.          After high school he earned a B.A. in Biology and his Medical Degree from the University of Cincinnati.  Subsequently, he did his post graduate training in Internal Medicine at the University of Rochester, Strong Memorial Hospital. During the Vietnam War there was a “doctor draft”.  If one enlisted rather than being drafted as field doctor/surgeon, the doctor had a better chance of pursuing and finishing his specialization.  Our special Rotarian was able to pursue cardiology.  He chose the northwestern region of the United States and was assigned to F. E. Warren AFB.  Today, Rick Davis is a retired cardiologist. Rick and his wife Ibby have been married 49 years and have two kids.  Rick’s favorite meal is a Ibby’s chicken pot pie.   When asked what he likes most about Rotary, Rick stated reading to fourth graders and observing that this really is a service club with members who look forward to contributing to the community.  Rick’s most memorable Rotary experience is coming back to reasonably regular attendance, after decades of nearly perfect absenteeism and working very hard with Ibby and other, now veteran, couples on several of Rotary’s annual Dinner Dances.  Rick said his most rewarding experience is the recent efforts to bring Greg Mortenson to Cheyenne.  In his free time, Rick serves on the Honor Flight, the Board at the Old West Committee, and frames paintings for Ibby.  Other than family, Rick’s proudest accomplishment is being a physician, caring for patients and contributing to the medical care offered in Cheyenne.  Rick has been a member of our Club since 1974 when he was sponsored by Dr. Don Hunton.  Rick has been a strong member of the Read to Me Committee and recently served on the Steering Committee to bring Greg Mortenson to Cheyenne.  Not only did he coordinate the event, but he organized the contribution of more than 800 copies of Mortenson’s books to the local school district.  In recognition of his service, the Sergeant at Arms presented Rick with a gift certificate and a special lapel pin.