HUTCHINSON CHAPTER OF AMBUCS
For the Newsletter – December 5, 2008
Vice President Scott Potucek opened the meeting, speaking about our sadness due to President Al Streckers sudden passing.
Pam Brooks introduced guests; Melanie Collins and Denise Hallman and then stood shoulder to shoulder to pray an Our Father for Al after the flag salute the club had breakfast.
Scott spoke of his fond memories of Al and how the grieving process will affect us all differently over time. He introduced Sgt. John Knipp who collected for a memorial for Al and later reported that the club had raised enough that morning for an Amtryke to be donated in Als memory.
Scott reminded the club that breakfast next week, Friday December 12th would be at the Airport Steakhouse with the club going across the street afterwards to L & B Rental to pack Christmas boxes to be given away to needy children. He mentioned plans for a special breakfast in Als honor possibly on January 16th. There will be no meetings on December 26th or January 2nd due to the Holidays.
Eric reported on his research of the clubs by-laws concerning the passing of a sitting president, there were none, so in consulting the National Office they suggested electing a new slate of Officers to insure there communication with the President. The Board met and will recommend to the club a new slate of officers by moving the current officers up and electing a new secretary on January 9th. The January 16th meeting will be dedicated to Big Al and his commitment to helping others through AMBUCS. Jan Strecker will be invited to attend and Als Presidents Plaque and Past Presidents pin will be presented to her. Bob Bush and Jeff Brewer will be putting this program together. This will be a special meeting, so invite your significant other to attend with you.
Jay Pitzer reported that the club has already been paid for the two Casino Nights that the club will do for the Hutch News and Kutters Furniture Christmas Parties December 6th and 12th. He thanked those helping and invited others to help and learn for upcoming opportunities.
Doyle Ehling announced that Als funeral will be Saturday at 10:00 AM at Trinity United Methodist Church and that a section of seats will be reserved for Ambucs.
Pam Brooks reminded the club to please call those on the recruitment list and invite them to breakfast and to join our club.
The rest of the meeting was spent sharing stories and memories of Al. The following are examples:
Jay Pitter Al made the most of life, using the beautiful day Tuesday to put up the Christmas decorations. Jay told of Als love of equipment and the fun they had using a borrowed gator with a dump bed that Al reconfigured with a blade controlled by a bungee cord to move and fun he had dumping piles and piles of dirt or his neighbors snow.
Doug Foss Als extra help and service to his customers as a sales rep with an engineers expertise.
Ward Davis told of Als ever changing excitement as Ward completed the work on Als new house.
Eric Steinle – Told our guests that the group is usually much more fun than today and hoped they would come back on a normal morning. Eric told several golf stories, remembering that Al enjoyed spending time with his friends even if they were bad golfers, didnt matter if it was looking for your ball in the gunch or down the fairway. He told of an early morning round with Bob Bush at the Highlands and how excited Al was to join them after seeing them during his morning run, like a kid receiving an unexpected present.
Randy Henderson shared another golf story of Al jogging back a hole to retrieve a club that he had left behind. Randy shared that after losing his father this summer; he felt a closer bond with Al.
Rita Joy Campbell- spoke of coping with grief sharing from a book that she just finished and how as a new member
she appreciates the friendship of the club.
Bob Bush marveled at Als innovative recalling that after a 19th hole one day, he and Al discussed attending a Golf School and by the next day Al had researched and found and enrolled them. It was mentioned that one thought the school had helped Als game more than Bobs. Bob recalled when greeting Jan at the house her sadness that Al would not be able to make the golf trip to St. Andrews that he had so enthusiastically planned for them, Bob stated that yes Al would be with them in their hearts and that he would tip a glass of scotch each day to his friend Al.
Mark Treaster won the 50/50 pot and donated the$30 to Als Amtryke Fund.