Robert Powell Kamensek Remembered by Ed Klassen

Of course, we had to have a few bets going on.  Well, the competition was on.  Rob's true character was being revealed, and I could soon see why Rob was so successful in his business.  Rob was a winner and he planned it that way.  He did things to the best of his ability. He did not mind the competition that he met en route to his goals.  In golf, this wonderful strength became evident very quickly, like in the 1st hole...and did not end until the 18th hole.  As we all know, when these bets are made, it is not the $2.00 that you have to pay at the end of the game, it is the humiliation that goes along with passing that money along.  Yes, Rob won the day, but in the end, the beer and goodies we had afterwards were paid by him, and that cost well exceeded his winnings --  great fun with a wonderful man.

Rob had won the day. He was the same gentle but driven man on the 18^th hole as he was on the 1^st hole -- the man I had come to know and love.

Often, Rob would share with me his desire to make a difference in things he was involved with. He was doing well at work, but always was advancing himself to higher levels that he had set for himself.

He absolutely adored his wife Elsie and his two daughters. His face would always light up when he talked about his daughters. He wanted nothing but the very best for them. I remember my daughter babysitting them one time, and they made a big impression on her. She talked about them for many years.  I know Rob was a great father to his children, and it showed.  With Elsie working with him at the office, Rob always bragged that he had the best office manager in the world, and I'm sure he did.

Rob joined the Rotary Club of Ladner in 1990.  It did not take him long to get his feet fully planted in our club.  I was the Club President in 1991-1992 and he agreed to be my Secretary. With Barry Irvine as my Treasurer, Bill Bramwell as my incoming President and Rob Kamensek as my Secretary, we had a dynamic and strong executive team.  Rob, again, showed us the high road in his capacity and served our club effectively in every way.  He simply did not tolerate just getting the job done.  He got the job done properly and timely.  We had an awesome year -- giving birth to the now famous Rotary Auction, chartering the Rotary Club of Tsawwassen, accepting woman members into our club and countless other great achievements  -- he was a big part of it.  He was my rock and I grew to trust him a lot.

As it turned out, Barry Irvine became Club President in 1992-93, as Bill Bramwell had a job related issue.  So, who stood up to follow Barry?  It was Rob Kamensek.  He had only been in our club for a few short years, but already had held the senior positions, including being the Club President in 1993-1994.

One thing stood out for me was of Rob's thoughts on the women issue.  I was very in favour of this change, and as I mentioned earlier, we did manage to get the support for ladies to join us in my year.  Anyway, Irene Forcier was one of the first, if not the first, woman to join our club.  I knew her as I had worked with her at Deltassist as a volunteer, and I encouraged Rob to get her on his Board.  Well, he did, and SHE became our President in only 3 years!  He ranted and raved about how lucky he was to have Irene on his Executive and how effective she was.

Simply, I guess what I am saying is that Rob surrounded himself with achievers, because he was the greatest of achievers.

The last thought I will share with you happened some years later.  It was the Ladner Rotary Installation of Officers night.  I had been advised that Rob Kamensek was to be given the high honour of being award the Paul Harris Fellow by our Ladner Club that night.  I was asked to make the presentation.

I, of course, was tickled pink to do this for my good friend Rob.  So, it was time to make the presentation.  I had my little speech for Rob, and he greatfully accepted the plaque.  After accepting the plaque, he came forward to give his thank you speech.  It seemed to go on a bit long, and he started to give me accolades and acknowledging some of the achievements that I had contributed to the club.  I kept thinking.ROB, THIS IS YOUR NIGHT.  WHAT ARE YOU DOING?

As it turned out, the Club had decided that Rob and I would both be awarded the Paul Harris Fellow, and HE had been asked to present it to me.  So, at the same time he was thanking the club for his plaque, he continued on to present the same award right back to me.   He had no idea he was receiving his, and of course I had no idea I was receiving mine.  It was a very emotional evening for both of us, and one I will never forget.

Again, Rob had earned the highest award the Rotary has to offer, BECAUSE HE HAD SET HIS GOALS TO BE "ABOVE AND BEYOND" THE NORMS IN ROTARY.

Thank you, Rob, for being a good friend.  Thank you, Rob, for the huge contributions you have made to this community in so many ways.  Thank you, Rob, for showing us the true meaning of MAKING A DIFFERENCE.