How long have you been a member and who first introduced you to Rotary?

I’ve been a member of the Paramus Rotary Club for 29 years and was proposed by my father. I was the first of the second generation of Paramus Rotarians, followed by Peter Wells, Dan Heldefehr, David Wattez, Tom Wells, and Bill Weiss. Emil Geering and Mitch Saferstein are also second generation Presidents whose fathers were Paramus Rotarians. Kevin Behnke is another second generation Rotarian who I expect will become President. Dan Holdefehr, Jr. is the first of the third generation Paramus Presidents and I hope that my son David will also serve as president sometime in the future. 

Q. How long have you been a member and who first introduced you to Rotary?
I joined the club in November 1982 at the suggestion of my first boss Gary Stein, who had been a member. I was actually introduced to the club and came to a meeting more than 10 years earlier when I was in high school. I had no idea what Rotary was about and it was a strange experience for me -- during a time of youthful rebellion--to have lunch with these patriotic-song-singing, intimidating looking old guys.

Q. What most appealed to you about Rotary ?
Nothing at first. Gradually, I got to know people in the club, and especially people who joined at about the time I did: Lloyd Astmann, Joe Masciandaro, Chip Philobosian, Emil Geering and a little later, Marty Diamond and Ray Hough. I’ve subsequently gotten to know many more great people in our club. It’s the people in the club who make Rotary what it is.