With heartfelt thanks and congratulations from today's members and those over the past six decades, and from a grateful community, Rotary Club of Ladner salutes Dr. Arthur Birk, after 60 years as our longest serving member.
The club presented a Paul Harris Fellow Award to Arthur as somebody who has met high professional and personal standards -- set forth by Paul Harris, the founder of Rotary International in 1905 -- for his extraordinary service above self. Past District 5040 Governor Chris Offer pins Arthur with his Paul Harris Fellow Award.
Born 19 October 1940 in Guelph Ontario, Arthur Birk in his younger years was active in his church, served on his school’s student council, studied piano, played sports and became a Queen’s Scout the highest honor in scouting.
Graduating in Dentistry from the University of Toronto in 1963, he married Geraldine that same year, and both of them moved to Ladner where Arthur ran his dental practice for 43 years.
Art and Geraldine have raised 4 children and now have 6 grandchildren
Among the highlights of Arthur’s career in Rotary was performing as a ballerina in Swan Lake as part of a fundraiser. He also performed in an all male fashion show, modeled in heels and a tutu.
Outside of Rotary and his dental practice, he bred and raced thoroughbred horses, served on the board of Kenneth Gordon School for students with Dyslexia, and served on the Delta Municipality Parks board for 10 years.Since 1990 he and Geraldine helped found and serve a local mental health social group, South Delta Weekend Family & Peer Support Group, supported by Rotary Club of Ladner. More recently both have taken over organizing events, bottle collecting etc. to support the group.
Friend Ernie Burnett, Mayor of Delta 1979-1987 invited Arthur to join Rotary Club of Ladner in 1964.
Since then Arthur served as Club President, and on many committees.
He has been a leader of the water project for a small Mapuche Indigenous community near Temuco, Chile. He was also instrumental in sending dental equipment, through Rotary World Help, to furnish a suite in a new medical/dental office for that community.
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President David Rushton and Chris Offer present a special certificate to Arthur for his 60 years of service above self in Rotary | |
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