RUSK LIONS CLUB
District Governor visits Rusk club
BY BILLY WATSON SPECIAL CONTRIBUTOR

GOV. F. RENKEMA

Fred Renkema, District 2S-1 Governor from Nederland, spoke at the Dec. 6 Rusk Lions Club meeting.

The speaker said he was impressed with the Rusk Lions Club and the numerous projects to raise funds to place back into the community. He said, "The Rusk Club like many of the other 50 clubs I have visited this year believes in Lions not being able to be idle," Gov. Renkema said. He stressed the importance of constantly bringing in new members, especially women. He asked all clubs to get away from the idea that Lions Clubs were strictly all men's clubs. Women are hard workers and bring in new ideas to clubs to help them grow in membership.

Gov. Renkema was born and reared in Hamshire. He is the fourth of five children and his parents were dairy farmers. They all milked cows by hand. His father died when he was nine-years-old. Their mother reared the five children and made their living by selling fresh milk.

Mr. Renkema graduated from Hamshire High School, then attended Lamar University where he graduated with a bachelors degree in science, physical education and biology. He received his master's degree from Lamar in administration.

The Renkemas met in college and married two months before he graduated. They moved to Nederland and he was drafted into the Army, where he gained the rank of major. He spent three years in active duty and 17 years in the Army Reserves. The couple has two children and three grandsons. He was a teacher and coach for 28 years before retiring. He also spent 15 years teaching children to swim in his private swimming pool. Since 1992 he and his wife have been charter members of the Nederland Professional Lions Club.

He has served as zone chairman, region chairman and past district governor. He is a Melvin Jones Fellow, which is the highest award a person can have in Lionism. He is a life member of the Texas Lions Camp and a Century Club member, Life Member of the Texas Lions Eye Bank and the Lions Bank Insurance Award.

He is a fighter in the program of

River Blindness." A goal had been set to raise $150 million worldwide to try to eradicate it worldwide. Back in 1990 to 1995 Lions raised $143 million worldwide and nine hospitals and 120 eye clinics were built.

Alicia Oliver introduced the speaker. Other guests were Nancy Timmons, Doug George, past-president of Garrison Lions Club and Boots Burfoot. President Vic Whadford presided at the meeting.