Rotarians salute Buddy Hungerford for 70 years of ‘Service Above Self’
By Mandy Catoe
For The Lancaster News
Nov 5, 2017
The Lancaster Rotary Club gathered this week to honor S.R. “Buddy” Hungerford III, who has given 70 years of his life to the service organization – and counting.Nearly 50 Rotarians filled the Carole Dowling Center at USC Lancaster on Thursday to celebrate his dedication.
One of the state’s top Rotary leaders, District Gov. Ed Irick, drove down from Greenville to present Hungerford with a wooden plaque engraved with words of gratitude and merit.
“It is a complete honor to present you this plaque in recognition of 70 years of faithful allegiance to the ideals of Rotary,” Irick said.
Hungerford, with his wife, Deanna, by his side, was taken by surprise. He didn’t know this was planned.
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After nearly a minute of applause, he spoke.
“I want to thank all of you,” he said, looking around the room. “You are all my friends. It’s been a pleasure being a member with you.”
Irick encouraged members to talk with Hungerford to find out what it was that drew him back meeting after meeting for seven decades.
After the ceremony, Hungerford answered that question.
“It’s a habit,” he said with a sly smile before getting serious.
“Service is the main thing in Rotary,” he said. “Our motto is Service Above Self.”
Hungerford will celebrate his 92nd birthday next week. He still drives himself to the weekly meetings. Despite the age-earned stoop, he stands erect when saluting the flag, addressing the audience and accepting awards. This was his second in the past year.
Last December, Rep. Mick Mulvaney traveled to Lancaster from the nation’s capital to present the World War II veteran with the Bronze Star.
Hungerford often pauses before speaking, and his listener never knows if he is about to crack a joke or share words of wisdom. He has plenty of both.
Joined after WWII
His life of service began in 1944 when he was drafted into the Army at 18. After recovering from battle wounds suffered in Germany, he returned home to Tunica, Miss., looking for a way to serve in the civilian world.
He joined the local Rotary there in 1946 when he was 21. The club elected him president five years later.
He worked for his family’s furniture business until he retired in the mid-1980s and moved to Naples, Fla. After a couple of decades in the Sunshine State, he and his wife relocated to Lancaster, and before a year had passed, Hungerford was back in Rotary. He was a young 89.
No one can recall anyone with a longer tenure in Rotary, according to Regina Maxfield, club treasurer, who checked with national Rotary officials about it. He might be the longest-serving Rotarian ever, they said, but it can’t be proven because of inconsistencies in past records.
However, one thing is for sure – everyone loves Buddy. The proof is the hugs, smiles and brightened eyes of anyone in his presence. Judging by the line that formed to give him a hug – or a kiss from the ladies – he is probably the most loved Rotarian in town.
Irick encouraged members to talk with Hungerford to find out what it was that drew him back meeting after meeting for seven decades.
After the ceremony, Hungerford answered that question.
“It’s a habit,” he said with a sly smile before getting serious.
“Service is the main thing in Rotary,” he said. “Our motto is Service Above Self.”
Hungerford will celebrate his 92nd birthday next week. He still drives himself to the weekly meetings. Despite the age-earned stoop, he stands erect when saluting the flag, addressing the audience and accepting awards. This was his second in the past year.
Last December, Rep. Mick Mulvaney traveled to Lancaster from the nation’s capital to present the World War II veteran with the Bronze Star.
Hungerford often pauses before speaking, and his listener never knows if he is about to crack a joke or share words of wisdom. He has plenty of both.
Joined after WWII
His life of service began in 1944 when he was drafted into the Army at 18. After recovering from battle wounds suffered in Germany, he returned home to Tunica, Miss., looking for a way to serve in the civilian world.
He joined the local Rotary there in 1946 when he was 21. The club elected him president five years later.
He worked for his family’s furniture business until he retired in the mid-1980s and moved to Naples, Fla. After a couple of decades in the Sunshine State, he and his wife relocated to Lancaster, and before a year had passed, Hungerford was back in Rotary. He was a young 89.
No one can recall anyone with a longer tenure in Rotary, according to Regina Maxfield, club treasurer, who checked with national Rotary officials about it. He might be the longest-serving Rotarian ever, they said, but it can’t be proven because of inconsistencies in past records.However, one thing is for sure – everyone loves Buddy. The proof is the hugs, smiles and brightened eyes of anyone in his presence. Judging by the line that formed to give him a hug – or a kiss from the ladies – he is probably the most loved Rotarian in town.
Those who could not attend Wednesday's meeting sent their thoughts by e-mail.One note was from Danelle Faulkenberry, special projects chair, who joined Rotary five years ago.
“Buddy was one of the first members to invite me to sit with his group for lunch,” Faulkenberry said. “Each year he remembers my birthday and always gives me a card and a box of candy.”
The current Rotary club president, Richard Band, said, “Buddy is a great friend to everyone. Especially to the ladies, I might add.”
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| Brockman and Hungerford Photo supplied Kind and witty |
Kind and Witty
Hungerford is quick to compliment women, especially his wife of 27 years.
Faulkenberry said Hungerford always introduces Deanna as “my beautiful wife.”
“She’s the stump to this old tree,” Hungerford said.
His dedication and diligence challenge members half his age.
“He is there every week and is right on top of every issue,” Band said.
Hungerford is thankful for the high regard others have for him.
“I appreciate that,” he said. “Everybody is good to me, so I might as well be good and spare a little time for them.”
Former club President Susan Rowell describes him as “not only the kindest person I know, but also the wittiest.”
“He always has something to say, and most likely it will make you laugh or at the least put a smile on your face. Always,” Rowell said. “And when he tells a story... you listen. He is full of great stories and life lessons.”
One of Hungerford’s most interesting friendships is with former Lancaster Rotarian Andreas Brockmann, “that ol’ German boy” as he calls him.
Hungerford jokes that it was Brockmann’s grandfather who shot him in the war.
Faulkenberry said Hungerford always introduces Deanna as “my beautiful wife.”
“She’s the stump to this old tree,” Hungerford said.
His dedication and diligence challenge members half his age.
“He is there every week and is right on top of every issue,” Band said.
Hungerford is thankful for the high regard others have for him.
“I appreciate that,” he said. “Everybody is good to me, so I might as well be good and spare a little time for them.”
Former club President Susan Rowell describes him as “not only the kindest person I know, but also the wittiest.”
“He always has something to say, and most likely it will make you laugh or at the least put a smile on your face. Always,” Rowell said. “And when he tells a story... you listen. He is full of great stories and life lessons.”
One of Hungerford’s most interesting friendships is with former Lancaster Rotarian Andreas Brockmann, “that ol’ German boy” as he calls him.
Hungerford jokes that it was Brockmann’s grandfather who shot him in the war.
There is much esteem between the native German and the former Army man.
“I say this with great respect and hope for others that we come to this point in life, where we have served 70 years in an organization like Rotary, where we put others first and our personal life second,” Brockmann said.
“Buddy’s service in the military, putting his country first, and the commitment he shows to his family demonstrates his outstanding character. He is one of the best men I’ve known in my life, and he is my true hero.”
Rotary philosophy
Hungerford strives to abide by the Rotary philosophy.
He seemed pleased this week with the shiny plaque and praise from his fellow Rotarians. His wife said they will hang the plaque in Buddy’s corner with his WWII medals and photographs.
He will no doubt share this latest award when he makes that weekly phone call to his daughter, Cheryl Harrison, 70, who lives in St. Louis.
Just before leaving the meeting, Hungerford talked about his world travels, his family, especially his wife, and his life in general.
He paused a moment and looked at his gold signet ring that long ago had been engraved with an "H," now worn away with time.
“I’ve had a good life, a great life, and I’m still having it,” he said.
Hungerford ended with a little Rotarian philosophy.
“The Rotary four-way test asks: ‘Is it true? Is it fair to all concerned? Will it build goodwill and better friendships? Will it be beneficial to all concerned?’
“I think if you follow these four tenets and put service above self, you will be going to heaven.”
“I say this with great respect and hope for others that we come to this point in life, where we have served 70 years in an organization like Rotary, where we put others first and our personal life second,” Brockmann said.
“Buddy’s service in the military, putting his country first, and the commitment he shows to his family demonstrates his outstanding character. He is one of the best men I’ve known in my life, and he is my true hero.”
Rotary philosophy
Hungerford strives to abide by the Rotary philosophy.
He seemed pleased this week with the shiny plaque and praise from his fellow Rotarians. His wife said they will hang the plaque in Buddy’s corner with his WWII medals and photographs.
He will no doubt share this latest award when he makes that weekly phone call to his daughter, Cheryl Harrison, 70, who lives in St. Louis.
Just before leaving the meeting, Hungerford talked about his world travels, his family, especially his wife, and his life in general.
He paused a moment and looked at his gold signet ring that long ago had been engraved with an "H," now worn away with time.“I’ve had a good life, a great life, and I’m still having it,” he said.
Hungerford ended with a little Rotarian philosophy.
“The Rotary four-way test asks: ‘Is it true? Is it fair to all concerned? Will it build goodwill and better friendships? Will it be beneficial to all concerned?’
“I think if you follow these four tenets and put service above self, you will be going to heaven.”
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