The Life and Times of Art Birk
The first in the club’s new series of re-classification talks by club members was Initiated by Art Birk on April 23rd. The purpose of the re-classification talks by club members is to introduce those members to newer club members, refresh the memories senior members of the club and to update everyone on recent changes in members' lives.
Art started his talk with background on his family. His father was of German heritage and his mother English. The family lived in Guelph Ontario. Art is a self-labeled “sports nut”.
In the 1956, Art was awarded his Queen Scout badge, the organizations highest honour for boys. The world jamboree was held in England in 1957 and he was one of 900 Canadian Scouts that attended. There were 31,000 Scouts from around the world at the jamboree to celebrate 50 years of scouting. Art was selected as one of a group of Scouts for security for Queen Elizabeth when she visited. He has a photo of him standing near the Queen. After the jamboree he travel around Scotland.
He graduated in 1963 from the University of Toronto receiving a degree as a doctor of dentistry. After getting married, Geraldine and Art traveled to western Canada. After a visit to Ladner they decided to move to the west coast. Art practice dentistry for 42 years in Ladner. He retired in 2006.
Art joined the Rotary Club of Ladner in 1964 and served as president in 1970. When he joined the club there were 25 members and 25 Rotary Anns. He will tell tales of the early days of the club at another time. Art gave his talk wearing a Rotary wedge hat, embroidered with the Rotary wheel and club name. These hats were common in Rotary for many years.
Art has overcome some health challenges and reflected on how rewarding his membership in the Rotary club has been and the great decision they made to make Ladner their home.
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Art guarding the Queen in 1957 |
Art & his family |
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Art demonstrating Rotary fashion from 1964 |
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