Rotary Club of Tucson: A Family Tradition
Among our active members we have a number of members who are 2nd and 3rd generation Rotarians. Truly with them, Rotary is a family tradition! Let’s meet some of these special Rotarians and thank their family members for our legacy.
Ann Lancero joined our club in 2011. Her husband, Lou Lancero, joined in 2019.
Bob Morken joined our club in 1998. His father, Robert A. Morken Sr. was a member from 2014-2015.
Brittany Battle has been a member since 2022. Her grandfather, Lew Murphy was voted into Honorary Membership by the RCT Board in 1986 and served as Mayor of Tucson from 1971-1987.
Charlotte Harris joined the club in 2000 and served as Club President from 2008-2009. Her son-in-law Cliff Bowman joined the club in 2008 and served as Club President from 2017-2018. Charlotte’s husband, Mike, was a charter member of the Rincon Rotary Club and the Casas Adobes Rotary Club. Their son, Tim, was a member of the Catalina Rotary Club.
David Lovitt has been a member of our club from 1969-1992 and rejoined in 2005. (During the interim he joined the Kachina Rotary Club which was in service 1992-2005.) His father, David “Mac” Lovitt, was a member from 1950-1998 and our Club President from 1954-1955. David’s maternal grandfather, Samuel W. Seaney was a member from 1921-1988.
Drew Vactor has been a member of our club since 1986. His wife, Karen “Kandie” Vactor has been an Honorary member since 2012.
Faye Morse joined our club in 2018 and her husband, Eric Smith, joined in 2022.
Gary Hirsh has been a member since 2008. His wife, Kandy Hirsh joined in 2017.
Glenn Ewing was a member from 2004-2006. He rejoined in 2012. Both of his sons, Josh Ewing and Matt Ewing joined the club in 2016.
Hugh Thompson III. M.D. has been a member since 1989 and was our Club president from 1997-1998. His father, Hugh C. Thompson, M.D., was a member from 1951-1957 and organized the first United States of America community wide polio immunization program in Tucson in the 1960’s.
James Wood, Jr. has been a member of our club since 2016. His father, James Wood, was a member from 2000-2012. His father and current Jim’s grandfather, William Wood, was a member from 1970-1999 and Club President from 1977-1978.
Jeff Ronstadt has been a member of our club since 2006. His father, James “Jim” Ronstadt, has been a member since 1980 and was our Club President from 1989-1990. Jim’s uncle, Gilbert Ronstadt was a member from 1921-1994. Jim’s grandfather, Fred Ronstadt, was a founding member of the club and a member from 1921-1954. Brother of Fred, Carlos Ronstadt, was a member from 1941-1948. Son of Gilbert and grandson of Fred, Peter Ronstadt, was a member from 1982-1992.
Jen Hoffman joined our club in 2011. She served as Club President from 2020-2021. Her mother-in-law, Melanie Hoffman joined in 2019 and her husband, Sean Hoffman joined in 2020.
Jim Murphy joined our club in 1997 and served as Club President from 2004-2005. His daughters both joined the club in 2018. Tamah Donaldson served from 2018-2020 and Michele Murphy is currently an active member.
John C. Harlow had been a member of our club since 2012. His father, William “Bill” Harlow, has been a member of our club since 1970 and served as our Club President from 1992-1993. His father and John C’s grandfather, John M. Harlow, was a member from 1947-1976. Bill’s twin brother, John M. Harlow, Jr., was a member of the Catalina Rotary Club for around 20 years.
Jonathan Walkup joined our club in 2022. His father, Bob Walkup is an Honorary Member as our Mayor of Tucson from 1999-2011.
Larry Adamson has been a member of our club since 1971 and served as our Club President from 1985-86. His brother, Hal Adamson, was a member of our club from 1955-2020 and served as our Club President from 1961-1962. Their father, Harold Adamson was a member from 1925-1978. Larry’s son, Dan Adamson is a member of the Las Vegas Rotary Club.
Mary Martin joined our club in 2004 and served as our Club President 2014-2015. Her husband, Doug Martin, joined in 2014.
Marianne Freitas has been a member of our club since 1994 and served as our Club President 2010-2011. Her husband, Chuck Freitas, joined as an Honorary member of our club in 2019.
Phillip Gutt has been a member since 1989. His wife, Nancy Gutt joined in 2016.
Rabbi Stephanie Aaron originally joined our club in 1999 and served until 2008. After taking a short time away, she rejoined in 2009. Her father, James M. Stevenson was a member of our Rotary Club from 1964-1971+ and 2000-2003. His father and Rabbi Stephanie’s grandfather, Herbert Stevenson, was a founding member of the Rotary Club of Phoenix and a member from 1914-1968.
Sally Montagne joined our club in 2011 and her husband, Ernie Montagne, joined in 2019. Both have the distinction of serving as our District 5500 Governors. Sally in 2014-2015 and Ernie in 2010-2011.
Are you a Rotarian with a family legacy and we missed you? Was the historical information listed above inaccurate? PLEASE help us update our historical records and email Brittany@svptucson.org with your legacy information. We wish to honor your family tradition of serving as a Rotarian!
With Gratitude,
The History Committee
