Rueckert was also presented with an Irish Waterford crystal home plate – Dowdy’s passion is baseball – proclaiming Rueckert as the “Best Rotarian in the District.”Rueckert also was awarded a four-stone Paul Harris pin, a high honor indeed for Rueckert, “a great Rotarian,” said Dowdy.It was Rueckert’s fifth Paul Harris Fellowship, a prestigious award named for the Rotary Founder.Much to his surprise, new Colonel Rueckert met a peer the day after his award while on duty at the Reagan Library.“One of the first visitors I talked to was also a Kentucky Colonel,” an honorable title and one of the highest honors accorded in the state.Kentucky Colonels are ambassadors of goodwill who are selected for their contributions to state, nation or special achievement of all kinds. The title is in recognition of service and accomplishments on behalf of others.Also holders of the title – bearing the Great Seal of Kentucky – range from Sir Winston Churchill to LBJ to Whoopie Goldberg, etc.It all began with the first Governor of Kentucky – the honor was bestowed upon a nephew – and later was given to those who guarded the state leader.In 1932, the Order of Kentucky Colonels founded a charitable organization and the group has an annual gathering attracting worldwide colonels to celebrate fellowship and the true spirit of Kentucky hospitality.Rueckert noted that Dowdy has already been generous in recognizing his service and that this latest round of honor bestowing and gift giving is “more than enough…do I get an official Kentucky Colonel hat with this? I hope not!”
Rueckert: Man who wears many hats has new one, Kentucky Colonel
September 15, 2004
Santa Paula News
Nils Rueckert has worn many hats: Naval Commander, Santa Paula Rotary Club President and District Assistant Governor, agricultural banker, Ronald Reagan Presidential Library docent.
But now Rueckert can add a new calotte to his collection: official Kentucky Colonel.
By Peggy KellySanta Paula TimesNils Rueckert has worn many hats: Naval Commander, Santa Paula Rotary Club President and District Assistant Governor, agricultural banker, Ronald Reagan Presidential Library docent.But now Rueckert can add a new calotte to his collection: official Kentucky Colonel.Rueckert has the certificate to prove it, signed by Kentucky Gov. Ernie Fletcher.Rueckert received his latest honor at a recent Rotary meeting from Past District Governor Arnie Dowdy.“Nils hates recognition, it makes him squirm,” said Dowdy.But, he added, Rueckert’s duties as Dowdy’s assistant deserves accolades.As District 5240 Governor Dowdy and his wife Maria were constantly o the go, visiting 67 Rotary clubs from Ventura to Kern counties and throughout Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties.Almost 3,800 Rotarians were represented by Dowdy and without Rueckert’s help the job would have been much more challenging.Being the Assistant to the Rotary District Governor is formidable duty that includes coordinating all travel arrangements and communicating with clubs planning not only the meeting featuring the top district leader but also the separate receptions staged for the distinguished visitor.“Nils did a fantastic job,” that garnered him not only T-shirt from his alma mater, the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, but also the proclamation that Rueckert is now an official Kentucky Colonel, a revered figure in Dowdy’s native state where “they love military titles…”