Chadwick Todd Raymond adopted the Rotary’s motto, Service Above Self, as his own.
From Chad's Obituary: Chadwick Todd Raymond was born on January 4, 1953, in Ames, IA, to Virgil and Solveig Raymond. He graduated from Roland-Story High School in 1971. He earned a Bachelor of Science from Iowa State University and a Master of Arts in Library Science from the University of Michigan.
Chad was Director of the Lincoln Township Library from 1977 to 1981, the Addison Public Library from 1981 to 1985 and the Executive Director of the Northbrook Public Library from 1985 to 2015. Chad was passionate about serving his community, promoting library services and legislative work to improve and support public libraries.
During his Northbrook Public Library tenure, Chad was dedicated to supporting and encouraging the staff as well as the Friends of the Library. In addition, he helped the library board champion major renovations and expansions throughout his career. Chad was particularly proud that in 2012, the library was chosen as one of the top 100 workplaces by the Chicago Tribune. On a personal note, library highlights included the 4th of July parades, staff in-services and the Annual Library Art Show. He was always first on the scene in inclement weather, and in heavy rain was often seen watching the water rise in the creek as if he could “will” it not to flood.
Chad was a Rotarian for thirty-nine years and had the privilege to serve on the Membership Committee and as President of the Rotary Club of Northbrook. He was a lifetime member of the Northbrook Civic Foundation and had good memories of running the Brat Booth at Northbrook Days. Over the years, he served in various churches as pastor liaison, usher, youth mission trip leader and Habitat for Humanity volunteer in Mexico. He humbly served as an assistant chaplain at Skyword Ministries at O’Hare International Airport. He adopted the Rotary’s motto, Service Above Self, as his own.
After retirement, Chad enjoyed travelling and spending time with his wife, Nancy, who he met in Sunday School as a boy. She was truly the love of his life, and he was the love of hers. He enjoyed hobbies that included reading, exercise, motorcycles and trips to the family farm in Iowa. He was a registered parliamentarian and liked to read the dictionary in pursuit of interesting words. He caught a serious case of Go Blue Fever during his days at the University of Michigan that lasted for the rest of his life. He was a great listener and could engage easily with a stranger or a friend. In parting he was known to say, “Have a good life!”
In the last years of his life, he battled serious medical issues. He exhibited great courage. He faced these challenges never with a complaint and always with a smile. Despite illness and pain, Chad never lost his gentle and kind spirit. His uplifting optimism, silver lining outlook and humility will be treasured and missed.
Chad passed away on Monday, January 11, 2021, at his home in Northbrook at sixty-eight years of age. A gathering was held with immediate family at his home. He was cremated, and his ashes will be spread at his beloved farm in Iowa. Due to COVID restrictions, no additional services are planned.
Chad is survived by his wife, Nancy; two sons, Jason (Melissa) of Libertyville and Lucas (Kristen) of Grayslake; four grandchildren, Hayley, Jake, Lucas and Maddux; two step-grandchildren, Lily and Collin; a brother Scott (Carolyn) of Ames, IA; two brothers-in-law, Bruce (Jo) Mortvedt of Story City, IA; Tim (Deborah) of Wilton, NH, a sister-in-law, Jane Morgan of Mooresville, NC; five nieces, Amy, Teri, Anna, Emily and Jessie; two nephews, Karl and Ryan and twelve great-nephews.
Chad was preceded in death by his parents and two nephews, John Raymond and Samuel Mortvedt and great-nephew Elias Schaefer.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Smile Train, Skyword Ministries or Rotary partner Shelter Box USA PO Box 5055, Santa Barbara, CA 93150 (in memo line: Ambassador Donna Lee Gulley Northbrook Rotary 6440).
by Past-President, Arizona Rotary e-Club Keith Souza in their 2017 newsletter
Coretta Scott King, widow of Dr. King said, “The greatest birthday gift my husband could receive is if people of all racial and ethnic backgrounds celebrated the holiday by performing individual acts of kindness through service to others.”
“Service to others.” Those words should echo louder for Rotarians than anyone else. Our motto, “Service above Self” places in front of us the belief that we are here to serve the greater good. We are here to put helping others ahead of our own self gain. Today, January 16, 2017 we celebrate the life of Dr. Martin Luther King’s National Day of Service. Making this, “NOT A DAY OFF, BUT A DAY ON.”
Every Monday we recite the 4-way test: Is it the TRUTH? Is it FAIR to all concerned? Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS? Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?
Reading that again, I believe that test could have been written by Dr. King himself.
Is it The Truth? –“I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: ‘We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal.’
The phrase was quoted by Dr. King in his famous I Have a Dream speech, as the “creed” of the United States.
Is it FAIR to all concerned? – He spent a lifetime trying to get to the root of fairness on equal rights. That All men are created equal. Not just white men. Fairness and equality is what Dr. King ultimately gave his life for.
Will it build GOODWILL & BETTER FRIENDSHIPS? – (from his Noble Peace Prize Acceptance speech) – “I still believe that one day mankind will bow before the altars of God and be crowned triumphant over war and bloodshed, and nonviolent redemptive good will proclaim the rule of the land. “And the lion and the lamb shall lie down together and every man shall sit under his own vine and fig tree and none shall be afraid.” I still believe that We Shall overcome!” From “I have A Dream – I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.”
Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned? Was there any doubt that what Dr. King preached would be beneficial to all mankind? Harmony, peace, love, & equality.
In his final speech before his death, this is what Dr. King had to say about what is beneficial to all concerned through his words of peace: ”And then I got to Memphis. And some began to say the threats, or talk about the threats that were out. What would happen to me from some of our sick white brothers? Well, I don’t know what will happen now. We’ve got some difficult days ahead. But it doesn’t matter with me now. Because I’ve been to the mountaintop. And I don’t mind. Like anybody, I would like to live a long life. Longevity has its place. But I’m not concerned about that now. I just want to do God’s will. And He’s allowed me to go up to the mountain. And I’ve looked over. And I’ve seen the promised land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people, will get to the promised land. And I’m happy, tonight. I’m not worried about anything. I’m not fearing any man. Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord.” He saw what was beneficial to all. That speech was delivered on April 3rd.
As we spend today celebrating the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, let us remember that the same ideals that unite us in Rotary fellowship, were principles that Dr. King spent a lifetime fighting for. Ultimately giving his life for on April 4, 1968.
1. Is it the TRUTH? 2. Is it FAIR to all concerned? 3. Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS? 4. Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?
Remember, make today a day on, not a day off. Thank you.
The United Way of Illinois Equity Challenge, which starts on January 18th, is a 21-week program that encourages Illinois residents to engage in conversations and gain a deeper understanding about the impact systemic racism and inequity have on our state and in our local communities. THERE IS NO COST TO PARTICIPANTS, who will receive one email per week through mid-June. Each weekly challenge will require 15 minutes. Topics include Understanding Privilege, Housing & Redlining, Justice System Inequities, among many others. Participants who complete all of the weekly challenges will receive a certificate of completion, a digital badge, and links to tips and training tools to help continue the conversation.
Here are some details:
The United Way of Illinois Equity Challenge is a 21-week program that encourages Illinois residents to engage in racial equity conversations to gain a deeper understanding about the impact systemic racism and inequity have on our state and in our local communities. United, we can help create a stronger, more equitable Illinois economy and stronger, more inclusive Illinois communities.
100% FREE to participate.
Receive one email per week from Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Jan. 18, 2021 until Juneteenth on June 19, 2021.
Spend approximately 15 minutes per week completing each challenge activity.
Weekly topics include Understanding Privilege, Housing & Redlining, Justice System Inequities, among many others.
Participants who complete all of the weekly challenges will receive a certificate of completion, a digital badge, and links to tips and training tools to help continue the conversation.
A number of Clubs are signing up groups of their members for the Equity Challenge or using it to focus their own discussions. So is the Governors Line. Join us.
Thank you Mitch for being our Club Covid Ambassador! Mitch is the club's eyes and ears on the COVID-19 front. Here are some factoids from a recent webinar the ambassadors participated in.
Thank you for your ongoing support and efforts to share with others critical information to help stop COVID-19.
Monoclonal Antibody Treatment: Individuals who have tested positive and are experiencing mild or moderate COVID-19 illness and symptoms are considered “high risk” for progressing to severe COVID-19.
Individuals who meet high risk criteria and test positive should contact their primary care physician about a referral for antibody treatment within three days of a positive test result.
Tratamiento Anticuerpos Monoclonale: Si recibe un resultado positivo en la prueba de detección del COVID-19 y tiene más probabilidades de enfermarse gravemente a causa del COVID-19, su proveedor de atención médica podría recomendar que reciba tratamiento. Para personas con alto riesgo de progresión de la enfermedad. La FDA ha emitido EUA para dos anticuerpos monoclonales en investigación que pueden adherirse a partes del virus. Estos anticuerpos podrían ayudar al sistema inmunitario a reconocer y responder de manera más efectiva al virus.
