Page 7 - 1980 Plymouth Rotary Annual Report

RICHARD K IRCHGATTER
Incoming President

Community service has long been a key in the life of incoming President Dick
Kirchgatter.

Born on a farm 42 years ago near St. Ansgar, Iowa, Dick was raised on the farm in
north central Iowa. After graduating from St. Ansgar High School, he attended Iowa State
University where he earned a degree in veterinary medicine.

While at ISU Dick also met his wife Elaine who earned a degree in home economics
from the same university. The Kirchgatters moved to Plymouth in 1965.

Dick joined the Rotary Club of Plymouth in 1966 as an additional active under his
partner Cliff McClumpha of Parkway Veterinary Clinic.

Since his arrival here Dick has served three years on the Vestry at St. John Episcopal
Church, served as president of the Plymouth Symphony Society and as president of the
Southeastern Michigan Veterinary Medicine Association.

Dick's Rotary activities include three years as treasurer of the Plymouth Rotary Foun-
dation, chairman of the Chicken Barbeque, and as a member of the Rotary Board of
Directors for four years. Wife Elaine serves as secretary of the Plymouth-Canton Board of
Education. The Kirchgatters have three lovely and talented daughters: June, 15; Jill, 12;
and Joy, 9 - none of whom take after their father.

Our new president's hobbies include collecting cast iron toys and working in the yard -
especially with his collection of tractors. Each winter also finds Dick busy at his workbench
doing some kind of woodworking project.

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