Man honored for perfect Rotary attendance-52 1/2 years

Man honored for perfect Rotary attendance—52 1/2 years

BRADFORD, Pa. (AP) — Robert Kirk has spent 52 1/2 of his 85 years doing one thing exceptionally well: attending Rotary Club meetings.

The northwestern Pennsylvania man is being honored by the service organization’s international magazine, The Rotarian, for never missing a monthly meeting in those 52-plus years.

Kirk lives in Bradford, about 130 miles northeast of Pittsburgh, but has taken advantage of a rule that allows members to attend meetings in other states and countries.

A world traveler who enjoyed free trips because of his son’s employment with a major airline, Kirk has attended Rotary meetings in all 50 states and 33 foreign countries. He estimates he’s kept his perfect attendance streak alive by attending 400 to 500 meetings in other locations.

The Bradford Era reports Kirk also braved a blizzard in Denver, and checked out of a hospital to attend meetings.