As Rotary International celebrates the 100th anniversary of the club’s existence, some Oak Harbor Rotary club members celebrate the fact that they have participated in the club for more than half of those 100 years.

Longtime Oak Harbor resident and retired veterinarian, Ray “Doc” Ellis, said he has participated as a Rotarian for 59 years.

“I joined in 1946, when I came to Oak Harbor,” he said. “At the time I joined, it was really the only community active club in town.”

Ellis joined 10 years after Rotary started up in Oak Harbor. He said at that time, the club only had about 35 members.

“I was asked to join,” Ellis said. “It was a real active group of gentlemen, and I figured it was a real honor to be asked to join, so I did.”

In his 59 years of membership, Ellis said he has always valued the opportunity of getting to know people in the community and the fellowship these relationships afford.

“I’ve enjoyed my time in the club. It’s been a chance to meet the most active members of the community and feel like I’m a part of it,” he said.

At this time, Ellis is the longest standing member in the Rotary Club.

“I’ve belonged longer than anyone in the club,” Ellis said, with a hint of a boast in his voice.

Ellis said the club essence has not changed much over the years, except for its size. He said the club is still a service organization with members who are interested in the community and to contributing to community development.

Another long-standing member of the Oak Harbor Rotary is past Oak Harbor Mayor Al Koetje. He said he joined Rotary in 1961.

He proudly claims he has had 43 years of perfect attendance.

Koetje said he enjoys the weekly meetings and the communication and camaraderie with the other Rotarians.

He said some of the most memorable projects the Oak Harbor Rotary has tackled since he has been a member are: the fundraising and building of the City Beach Lagoon in 1967; the fundraising for Oak Harbor’s John Vanderzicht Memorial Pool built in 1983; and the current stadium project of 2005.

“Basically through the years, we’re a service organization, and that has continued,” he said. “We’ve been a very active club as far as the community is concerned.”

Oak Harbor resident, though he is currently wintering in Arizona, Mike Milat said he joined Rotary in 1964.

“Come July I will have 41 years of perfect attendance,” he said, adding that Koetje had a few years on him.

When Milat is unable to attend the Oak Harbor Rotary meetings, he makes them up by attending Rotary meetings in Arizona clubs.

Milat said he jumped at the chance to be a part of Rotary when he received an invitation to join because he had always held Rotary in high regard as a club dedicated to community and international service. Moving to Oak Harbor in 1958, Milat said joining Rotary also gave him a sense of belonging to the community.

“I think anyone that doesn’t have anything to be a part of is a lonely soul,” he said.

Throughout the years, Milat said the club’s purposes and objectives have remained the same and that he feels this is proof of the genuine heart of the club.

Other long-term members are Barney Beeksma and Henry Koetje, both of whom have served as club presidents and dedicated members throughout their long Rotary history.