A Look Back at February 9th, 2012

     Linda Condron is a Superior Court Judge and this August, she will celebrate 10 years of Service with Santa Clara Rotary.  She has been instrumental in the Success of Christmas For Kids for many years and this May she will walk the aisle with our newest Rotarian, Tom Clark and becoming the first husband and wife members of Santa Clara Rotary.  Mike M. led us in the pledge.

     Ted gave a heartfelt tribute to Vicki Hong and here are Ted’s words:

Vicki Hong passed away Sunday, Feb 5th in Reno Nevada.  She was 68 years young and she was a very special friend.  She and Gary had just celebrated their 51st Anniversary last month and together they have three sons who Vicki affectionately referred to as Son # 1, Son #2 and Son #3.

Gary was a 25 year Rotarian with Santa Clara Rotary until a few years ago when Gary and Vicki sold their Monte Sereno home and relocated to one of their properties in San Francisco.  Gary had been a local Hotel owner and was involved in the banking and investment business.  Vicki had been a long time employee of United Airlines.  Gary was a great Rotarian and was extremely generous in supporting our clubs various fundraiser's, community service projects and social events.  And Vicki was always by Gary's side, helping out in any way that she could.  She loved the Rotary Club and each one of our members.

Although it is Vicki who we have lost, it is difficult to talk about Vicki without talking about "Gary and Vicki". Together they were by every definition "a couple".  Anyone who knew Gary and Vicki witnessed the love, dedication and devotion that they shared between them.

Helen and I first became close friends with Gary and Vicki more than 20 years ago when we first started skiing with the San Jose Rotary Ski group.  Along with Stan and Diane Chinchen and Dick and Connie Brooding many ski trips were made throughout the U.S. and Canada.  Helen and Vicki, probably due to their airline backgrounds, became instant friends, as we spent numerous hours together at mealtime, on the ski slopes and most importantly the surrounding shops.  It was during these times that Helen and I saw what a special couple they were and the absolute love and consideration they had for each other.

It would start in the morning when they would take forever to decide what to order for breakfast.  But in the end it really never mattered because they would always end up sharing each other’s meals.  When it came to skiing, neither would leave the hotel until they had both discussed in length which Bogner ski outfit each would wear.  And once we finally got them on the slopes, neither would leave the other far behind.  It would drive me crazy when Vicki would ski out in front but would have to stop to make sure Gary was OK skiing behind her.  Gary would then ski by but he would have to stop a couple hundred yards down the hill to make sure Vicki was OK.  And when one would want to stop for a break, or to quit skiing for the day, there was never a thought that Helen and I would have about asking the other to continue skiing.  Once the ski day was over and we had enjoyed a nice dinner together, it was on to the shops.  Many a ski trip was planned, not by the ski conditions, but by the amount of available shopping.

Vicki was always concerned about the well being of everybody around her, making sure everyone was properly fed, warm and comfortable.  Helen and I spent many days at their home in Tahoe however we could never get her to sit down and relax, she was too involved in making sure that we were properly taken care of.  She was the kindest of individuals with not a trace of a negative bone in her body.  She always had a smile and a good word for whomever she was with. She wanted to offend no one, right up to the point that Gary would buy her beautiful fur coats but she would never wear them, probably because she didn't want to offend the animal rights activists

Vicki sparkled brighter than the diamonds that were her trademark (she never went outside with less than ten carats) and I'm sure that at night when you look up in the ski and you think you see the brightest star, it's actually the sun shinning off that rock on her left hand.  Vicki had her love for shopping and when I received the call last Monday from Gary telling me of Vicki's passing, Gary commented on the fact that she was stricken while doing what she loved most, shopping. I know she will be missed by the Bogner dealers, the furriers and the jewelry store owners, but more importantly she will be missed by all of her many friends and family.

I will miss my friend Vicki greatly.  The last few days have been spent thinking of nothing but the great times that we had spent together. I simply cannot believe that she is gone.  It was only a couple of weeks ago that we had talked about getting together for a ski trip if it ever snowed again in Tahoe. And now that trip will never be. She touched Helen and my lives in a special way, and our lives will never quite be the same without her.  I cannot imagine the pain and sense of loss that Gary is feeling during this tragic time, but I know our thoughts will be with him and his boys and our prayers will be with Vicki.

Thank you Ted!

Standing in for Stewart, Andy announced the Valentine Dinner will have over 50 guest and will enjoy and evening of great wine, food, dancing and fellowship at the Capitol Club on February 18.

See Stewart for more details.

Joe, Frank and Gerry gave an amazing update about our clubs Inaugural, Silicon Valley BBQ Championships, which will be held on Friday and Saturday, June 29 & 30!  Again, this is an “all hands on deck project” and we need everyone’s help.

Steve Rainbolt gave us an update on ELC, which will take place in the third week of March.  Thank you Steve for all your time and effort!

The dates for the Soccer Tournament are set for August 18 & 19 and the advertising campaign kick-off will begin on May 10.

Recognized for Club Anniversaries were Tony Condos, February 04, 1963 and President-Elect-Elect Lou Ann Alexander, February 06, 1997. 

ELC Director, Steve Rainbolt saw his shadow on February 02 and celebrated with Tina on being a day older.  Lorenzo Rios was absent, but celebrated his birthday on February 03 and Roy celebrated with Trudy on February 04!

Thanks to the unlucky draw of Lidia we still do not have a winner in the Joker’s Wild!

Andy introduced David Fry of Fry’s Electronics and the owner of the San Jose Sabercat’s.  David was a last-minute stand in for Coach Arbet who could not make it to the meeting and did an outstanding job in his place.  Thank you David for providing a good program and extending the Jokers Wild with Opening Day tickets to Gerry, Chief Lodge and Miles.

Important Upcoming Dates:

February 18, Valentines Dinner at Capitol Club.  Stewart and Leslie are hosting.

Our March 15 meeting will take place at Mission College and Dr. Laurel Jones will be hosting.

This week we will hear from Dan Schnur who is the Department Chair of the Political Science Department at USC and teaches a class in Campaign Strategy at Cal Berkely.  Dan is a compelling speaker and this promises to be a great meeting.  Think of bringing a guest or prospective Rotarian to this meeting.

On a closing note, we pray that Gary Hong can take solace in Robert Sexton who said, “ Across the years I will walk with you in deep green forests, on shores of sand and when our time on earth is through, in heaven too, you will have my hand!”  May God Bless Vicki Hong!