Rotarian of the Week 05-23-12

Our Rotarian of the Week was born and raised in Cheyenne. He is the first member of his family who is a native Wyomingite.  He graduated from East High, home of the Thunderbirds, in 1972. Interestingly this Rotarian’s children are proud to call themselves Indians having attended Central. 

 After graduating from Williams College in Williamstown Massachusetts, Steve Kline received a Jurist Doctorate degree from the University of Wyoming law school in 1979.  Following law school he returned to Cheyenne and began his legal career as a law clerk with fellow Rotarian Clarence Brimmer.   In 1981, Steve left Judge Brimmer and started his own firm which presently goes by the name of Kline Law Office.  For over three decades he has been a self-employed small business entrepreneur that Wyoming politicians always like to talk about. 

Steve and his lovely wife Sue will celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary this Thanksgiving.  They have two children, Peter and Ian…. both attend Willamette University in Salem, Oregon…. Pete is a graduate student in the Business school …and Ian is a junior pursuing a Mathematics /Economics major.

Steve’s first paying job was mowing the lawn of his neighbor Judge Ewing T. Kerr… he says he would be lying if he said that he could remember what he Judge Kerr  paid he ... but … Regardless, it seemed like it was enough and the job got me a recommendation for both college and law school. 

Steve has been in Rotary for 27 years. He can't remember who sponsored him into Rotary but he says …” it was likely my father …who was a member of the Cheyenne Rotary Club for forty five years…knowing my father he had Judge Brimmer handle my introduction”.   Steve has held a number of jobs with the club including: Chairman of the program committee and member of the Board of Directors.  Steve says what he enjoys most about Rotary is the fellowship we share with each other each week…. Steve Kline’s most memorable Rotary experience has been a lifelong friendship he has developed with New Zealander Ian Wallace and his family through the Rotary exchange program.  Through several international visits in both hemispheres … regular phone calls…. and correspondence… Ian and Steve and their families have maintained a …Forty year…Friendship …from half a world away.

Steve’s proudest accomplishment outside of his family is… successfully being his own boss …for over thirty years … and never getting fired.

In his spare time Steve likes anything involving the outdoors…. including hiking, fishing, skiing and travel. He prefers to get … as far from the office as possible. 

 His favorite meal is steak… medium rare with a baked potato and a Caesar salad on the side.

In recognition of his service to the Club, our Cheyenne community and the State of Wyoming, the Sargent ant Arms will present Steve Kline with a gift certificate from the Club… Thank you Steve