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"A Time for Action"

PERSONAL

John was born in Copenhagen, Denmark, in 1905. After graduating from high school, he entered an apprenticeship in a book and stationery business, and at the same time attended a commercial college in the evenings for three years. When he was 22, he immigrated to Winnipeg where he joined the Wilson Stationery, Ltd. Two years later he was in Vancouver managing a store for that firm. His marriage in 1935 to "Vi" resulted in two children; the son now a high school teacher, and the daughter a book department manager.

John and Vi love to travel, and on many occasions have visited John's relatives in Denmark.

HIS CAREER

In 1940 John enlisted in the Canadian Army (The Westminster Regiment Motor) and spent most of his Army days in England, Italy and Holland, returning to Vancouver in 1946 to rejoin the Wilson Company.

In 1950 he opened his own business in Ke1owna, B.C.; returning to the coast five years later to start the Burnaby Stationers, Ltd. In 1961 he sold that business to the Wilson Company and was that firm's store supervisor and purchasing agent until he retired in 1971.

COMMUNITY SERVICE

Outside of Rotary activities, John, for 20 years, has worked on the Board of "Dania House", a home for Danish born senior citizens.

LIFE WITH ROTARY

He joined the Rotary Club of Kelowna in 1950, and has been a Rotarian since in the Burnaby Kingsway and Vancouver Clubs. He was President of Burnaby Kingsway in 1960-61. He was always active in club and district committees, serving as governor's representative in 1964-65, and as secretary to Governor Stanley Smith in 1971-72, before his own year as Governor. International Service has always been his big interest in Rotary, and he has spent much time on Rotary Foundation and Student Exchange.

John and Vi have attended 3 International Conventions, 27 District Conferences and 8 Institutes. He has represented at two Councils on Legislation. In 1976 he was awarded a Paul Harris Fellowship by the Rotary Club of Bellingham.

John writes: During my 31 years in Rotary, my wife, Vi, has always been a tremendous help to me; when it came to Rotary, she was always there to encourage me and to participate herself".

IN HIS GOVERNOR YEAR

During his year as Governor the district had a Group Study Exchange with a district in Japan, and the Student Exchange Program was increased from 3 to 26. He feels strongly that too many clubs in our district do not participate in the Foundation work, and that a continuing effort must be made to have all clubs make at least some contribution to the Foundation each year.