Loren's Classification Talk
Posted by Gary O'Rielly
on Aug 10, 2015
How do you compress almost 90 years into a 30 minute classification talk? Well, if you are Loren Hole, you don't. At our meeting at the end of July, Loren shared a little bit about himself. Loren has enjoyed 48 years in Rotary and 48 years of perfect attendance. That alone, would take a life time to explain. Secret to a long life: A good and loving wife; stay physically active and stay mentally active. Being a part of this Rotary Club is central to his days. Joined Everett Rotary Club in March 1967. Moved to Lake Stevens in 1989. Transferred to the Lake Stevens Rotary Club in 1992. A HAM Radio operator since 1964.
Loren's recognition of his life begins with recalling his early days in Wyoming where his dad drilled for oil in Newcastle, Wyoming. Divorce followed and his mother took Loren and his siblings, a brother and sister to South Carolina. Education in South Carolina was poor. In 1937 his father took possession of him and his siblings and moved to Canada. Loren became a very good student in those days and in 1939 the family moved to Spokane. Loren still considers Spokane as home. Graduated from 8th grade in 1940 and rode his bike with a friend through Glacier National Park to Cutback, Montana. His first job was delivering papers for the Spokane Chronicle. Hat Freeman gave him a job making hats. Most of the hats were felt hats. When the war broke out in 1941, Loren realized he needed more education and graduated from high school in three years. He entered Gonzaga University, was drafted into the Coast Guard and schooled in Communications. He was honorably discharged in 1946. From there went to work in his father's insurance business. Went back to college and completed a Dale Carnegie course.
He met the love of his life on a blind date. They married in 1949. He sold his Cadillac to buy Lorna a wedding ring. After the birth of his first daughter Kerrie, returned to Gonzaga University, joined Moore Business Forms and seven months later promoted to Lewiston, Idaho to open a Moore Business Forms store. His daughter Laurie was born in Lewiston. Went into management and was transferred to Yakima. Supervised offices all over eastern Washington and Lewiston, Idaho. Transferred to Seattle and later as District Manager in Everett. Bought a sail boat and raced it in Port Gardner Bay. In 1978 completed the Victoria to Maui race on a 40 ft. sail boat. Sold his boat in 1982 and retired from Moore Business Forms. Started his own small business selling business forms in 17 states. Sold his business.
Loren and Lorna moved to Lake Stevens in 1989. Transferred from the Everett Rotary Club to Lake Stevens Rotary in 1992. Wintered in Palm Springs and Sedona, AZ from 1992-2009. He traveled the Al-Can Highway and Historic Route 66 with fellow Rotarian John Morrison in his 1974 Triumph. Started the GeeWhiz Investment Club and in 2007 started a Rotary Permanent Endowment Fund for Community Service which is worth over $22,000. Treasurer and Quickbooks accountant for four plus groups. More to come in his next classification talk.