Rotarian Spotlight, February 2013

This month’s Rotarian in the spotlight grew up in Brainerd, Minnesota. He graduated from Washington High School with the Class of 1946 - home of the Warriors where he captained the football team. He is a graduate of Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin where he received Bachelor Degree in Civil Engineering. During his undergraduate days he played football for the university and was selected for the International New Service (INS) All Midwest Team in 1950. After serving three years in the USAF, he entered the University of Minnesota where he received a Master of Science Degree in Civil Engineering. He is a registered professional engineer and a Board Certified Diplomate of the American Academy of Environmental Engineers.

Robert (Bob) Novick has been married to Rita for 59 years and they will celebrate their 60^th anniversary this August.  They have five children, two sons and three daughters, 20 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren, all of which live east of the Mississippi River.

His first job was working as a movie theater usher at age 13. He was not sure about child labor laws so he fibbed about his age in order to get a social security card. Seventy-six years later the United States Government detected his fib and he had to correct the record. 

He was sponsored into Rotary by John Bishop. His most memorable Rotary experience was working with Mary Guthrie to plan the Spring Dance. The theme of the dance was “Moroccan” and included Belly Dancers. He did not know that Rotary could be so lively and have so many moves.  Additionally, he has served on the Group Study Exchange Committee and as the assistant Sargent of Arms. He particularly enjoys chatting with fellow Rotarians and learning from the weekly Rotary speakers.

Bob’s proudest accomplishment besides family has been his career in public health engineering. Endeavors include:

With the United States Public Health Service he served as the Director of the Bureau of Community Environment Management. He and his staff formulated, worked for enactment and subsequently administered the Childhood Lead Based Poisoning Control Act.

While working for the World Health Organization (WHO) he developed the theme which led to the establishment of the United Nations Decade for Drinking Water Supply and Sanitation (1981-1990)

His favorite meals are “Ossobucco” or “Raclette” which are both hard to find in Cheyenne.

Bob’s used to be an avid skier but has given that up with age and knee replacements. He now enjoys cycling with his new high performance tricycle of which he accumulated over 720 miles on last summer. He also enjoys living among and conversing with his many new friends in Cheyenne.

The Sargent of Arms presented Bob with a Cheyenne Area Chamber of Commerce gift certificate in the amount of $25.00.