Rotary Raves

It’s never too late to become Club President

Age is not an impediment to becoming Club President

Age is not an impediment to leading your club

The Pride of the Medicine Hat Rotary Club

 

A President of Rotary International has never been picked from among our members, but Medicine Hat has something else to be proud of: we are the home of the oldest active Rotary Club President.  Uwe-Karsten Krickhahn was born in 1934 in Hamburg, Germany. He immigrated to Canada in 1959 with only a handful of dollars in his pocket.  Unbelievably, he found a job the same day he arrived in Alberta. Soon, he was able to send away for the fiancée he had left behind. Both Uwe and his now wife, Anke, worked hard and managed to save enough money to buy a garage in Medicine Hat. In 1964, Uwe acquired an authorised dealership where he sold and serviced Mercedes-Benz. Later, in 1969, he was approached by Volkswagen to sell their cars.

 

Uwe was introduced to Rotary in 1983 where he soon took on a leading role. From three terms as treasurer to three terms as editor of the newsletter, he immersed himself completely in what he saw as a worthwhile organisation that needed his support. In 1990, he assumed the role of president of the Medicine Hat Rotary Club for the first time. Twenty-five years later, he would again lead his club for the 2015-2016 term of office.  During his first tenure as president, and after considerable opposition, he succeeded in changing the constitution of the club to admit women thus making the Rotary Club of Medicine Hat one of the first clubs to admit female members.

 

In 1990, Uwe was awarded the City Environment Award for organising the first ever city-wide clean-up. He had been inspired by that year's Rotary slogan: "Save Planet Earth." He enrolled the participation of local schools, service clubs, and the community. Approximately 1200 people took part the first year. Fifteen years later, the City of Medicine Hat would take over this initiative, but the club continues to participate enthusiastically every year.

 

Listed among his other accomplishments is a Rotary Award for raising the most funds for the District Rotary Foundation, which included at the time Northern Alberta, the eastern part of Saskatchewan, Northeast British Columbia, and a portion of the Northwest Territories.  He is a Paul Harris Fellow and boasts perfect attendance for the past 24 years.

 

Uwe is the proud father of two daughters and five grandchildren.