Rotarian of thte Week 02-29-12

Our Rotarian of the Week was born in Des Moines, Iowa in 1936. His first paying job was mowing lawns and shoveling snow for neighbors. He remembers one special customer… a widow lady … who after the job was finished to her satisfaction … would search in her robe pocket … for some change. She made sure she had enough for her daily quart of beer…. then gave him the rest to Rod for his work.  It usually amounted to about 30 cents.

This special Rotarian graduated from East High School in Des Moines in 1954. He was a good student and a talented athlete. After high school he attended the University of Iowa where he was a pre-med student… on the track and field team … and… a member of the Air Force ROTC Program.

One memorable college experience for Our Rotarian of the Week …was….During the summer of 1957 Rod Anderson went to summer Air Force ROTC camp in Selma, Alabama. This Mid-Western boy was shocked by the racial discrimination he saw in the South at that time.  

Rod Anderson also met his future wife … Helen “Sue” Wisegerhof … at the University of Iowa. They married just before Rod started Medical School. Rod and “Sue” have been married for 53 years. They have three wonderful children and six beautiful grandchildren. 

Rod remembers fondly… that he and “Sue” were able to finish his medical education debt free. Of course “Sues” nursing work and his constructing…Steel Corn bins …for $3.75 per hour helped… as did the $52.00 per semester tuition cost … and for medical school only $500.00 a semester tuition. 

 Rod completed Medical School and began Military Active duty. He did an internship in Tacoma Washington and attended Flight Surgeons School in San Antonio, Texas.

Rod completed a military duty assignment in Nakon Phenom, Thailand. This was a small jungle base created for air rescue and radar control. After his Southeast Asian duty, Rod served at Scott Air Force Base in Illinois where he worked with medical evacuation of wounded soldiers. He also spent a year as dispensary commander at the Air National Guard back in Des Moines. 

Thank fully for all of us ...In 1970 after doing research in electrophysiology and three years of residency in Iowa, Rod and Helen made their decision to move to Cheyenne, Wyoming.  After …serving thousands of grateful patients …over 40 years… of clinical practice Dr. Rod Anderson retired in 2001.

Rod has been in The Rotary Club of Cheyenne for thirty three years. He has served on the Board of Directors and as President and Vice President. He also served on the program and student exchange committees. Rod and Helen have hosted three Rotary Exchange students… they later …traveled to Norway to visit with one of those families.

Rod says there have been many memorable Rotary experiences over the years.

The addition of women…controversial at first … but a real plus!!!

The annual conferences at the Broadmoor in Colorado Springs

And…The addition of young and enthusiastic members … making the club what it should be…a Real Service Club

Rod enjoys being retired and really enjoys the social aspects of the weekly meetings at this point in his life.

As to a favorite meal … Rod says he only knows …it would not include… “Rutabaga”… or…“Egg Plant”.

In recognition of his service to our Country, our Club and our Community The Sargent at Arms will present Rod with a Gift Certificate from the Club.

Thank you Rod and congratulations!!