KNOWING HOWARD

By Greg Lynch, President, NY6

It was a flawless spring day, when we traveled out to Mahwah, New Jersey, to say good bye to Howard MacPherson. The Ramapo Reform Church is a pristine white wooden church nestled in quiet corner beside its historic graveyard. The sun came flowing through the Tiffany windows, as the pews filled with family and friends come to honor Howard Mac Pherson and to say their good-byes.

Howard joined New York Rotary in 1972. He became 100 years old on November 4, 2003 (There were some pictures in our Club Newsletter of the party thrown for him by some Rotary friends.) Howard was an old timer in our Club. He received his 25 year silver badge not long after I joined. He was made an Honorary President along with his good friend Carl Ficke a few years back. For a number of years, Past President Horst Schneider brought both these two fine, fellow Rotarians in from their homes in New Jersey by car. Carl eventually joined a Rotary Club near his home; I think it’s Ridgewood. Howard found it more comfortable to enjoy his home in Mahwah. It’s an old home, a house of many rooms, just as Howard was a man of many parts.

Howard was a corporate executive, a former President of Socony-Mobile, Europe. His classification was Oil Industry and he knew his business. Later, he did much to promote New York in the field of international trade. When I came to know Howard at the Club he was already Senior Active. I never really saw the corporate side of Howard. After all he was probably already 90 years old when we met.

My remembrance of Howard was a soft spoken gentleman with an impish sense of humor. He loved being at Rotary and his feeling about Rotary was contagious. I remember sitting next to Howard on more than one occasion when he’d say Young man, you’re doing good things for the Club. Keep up the good work. In other words, my clearest memory of Howard MacPherson was that of a Rotarian who encouraged others. He made me feel good about Rotary. Who, after all, does not respond to the positive force of encouragement?

Howard left this world with ten grandchildren and sixteen great grandchildren. I am sure that he provided much encouragement to many lives. Let us honor the memory of Howard in a special way - by remembering to have a good word of encouragement for newer members of our Club. In New York Rotary, we need all kinds of involvement: service projects, committee work, fund raising and, yes, a kind word. It’s just another way of knowing Howard.

Greg Lynch

President

Rotary Club of New York

April 19, 2004