The Ludy Spirit Award

Our old friend and fellow Rotarian, Ludy Langer, passed away February 27, 2010.  He was 84 years young.  Ludy loved his family, the University of California, and Rotary.  And he loved them all with great passion.

He joined the Rotary Club of Sacramento in 1978 and was an Eddie Mulligan Fellow, Paul Harris Fellow, and Sacramento Rotary Fellow.  He served on the Board of Directors of the club and also served two terms as a Trustee of the Rotary Foundation. He was the “permanent bartender” for all Rotary Firesides for 15 years or so, bringing the liquor and glasses to each gathering and always serving it and then taking it back to the office for safekeeping.  He served on many program committees and was always coming up with ideas that would make our club better or more fun (at least in Ludy’s opinion!).  Ludy rarely (if ever) missed a meeting and he attended over a dozen Rotary International Conventions, an amazing feat in itself!  Yes, Ludy Langer was a great Rotarian. 

But this “resume” does not begin to capture Ludy’s love for Rotary International or of the Rotary Club of Sacramento, in particular.  Ludy had a very large heart and a strong desire to help those less fortunate than himself.  He loved to share stories, laughter, and of course, Rotary pins with Rotarians from other clubs around the world.  Ludy was a true Rotarian in every sense of the word and embodied the values and service that Rotary stands for.  When Ludy left us, he left a large “hole” in our hearts and in our club.

But fortunately, a small group of club members, led by Past President Beverly Brautigam and Past President Dan Cole, thought of a way to honor Ludy’s memory and to recognize a current club member that exemplifies Ludy’s Rotary Spirit.  The perpetual award is called “The Ludy Spirit Award” and will be an annual honor for a deserving club member.  A beautiful “memorabilia box” containing many of Ludy’s prized Rotary possessions (a pin-laden vest and cap, several pictures, and one of Ludy’s favorite hats) will be on permanent display at the Rotary office along with a plaque recognizing the annual recipient of the award. 

And the committee could not have selected a more deserving honoree for the first ever “Ludy Spirit Award” than Art Breuer.

Art joined our Rotary Club in 1993.  Like Ludy, he is an EM Fellow, a PH fellow, and a SRF.  He was also the first recipient of the “Quiet Rotarian Award”, presented annually to a club member who makes continuous contributions in many ways to our club, but never seeks the lime light.  (I have never won this award, by the way…) 

Art is one of those Rotarians that you can always count on, just like Ludy was.  If there was a “Mr. Reliable” award for our club, Art would win it every year. 

Art and his wife Kiefie have been on the “Set Up” Committee for years, setting up the video screens, projection equipment and sound system for each meeting and then taking it all down and storing it after each meeting.  In short, if Art and Kiefie did not show up for a meeting, everyone would notice the difference.  Isn’t that just perfect?  The first winner of the “Ludy Spirit Award” is very much like Ludy, albeit in a much different “package”; Art Breuer truly makes a difference in our Rotary Club.  Congratulations Art and thank you, Kiefie!

Past President John Frisch