Rotary's Power for World Peace

GUS LOEHR IS DEAD

(Gustavus H. Loehr was one of the four men who met to organize the first Rotary Club in Chicago in February 23, 1905, in Loehr's own office "Room 711." Loehr's membership in Rotary terminated several years ago. His death recently resulted in the following letter to THE ROTARIAN from Paul Harris, President Emeritus of Rotary.)

Gus Loehr, who was one of the four in attendance at the first Rotary meeting, has been summoned to the Great Beyond.

His unusually reticent nature impeded his progress in Rotary and absorption in business matters after a few years resulted in termination of his membership.

The fact that he was one of the first group of Rotarians is a matter of some general interest to Rotarians. Loehr was of very special interest to his small circle of intimate friends. I do not think that I have ever known a man of so few intimate friends nor one more loved by those who knew him.

He was capable of a degree of generosity toward the poor and afflicted wonderful to behold. Gus could be depended upon at a minute's notice at any time to literally turn his pockets inside out and hand every cent in his possession to the first newsboy or scrubwoman with a tale of distress. He never required proof.

Impetuous in the extreme, he would roar like a lion at friend or foe but he would instantly capitulate on the very first indication that his words hurt. He would do more than that, he would melt, I have never seen rage more torrential than his, but he couldn't bear the sight of a tear.

I have known him to travel from poverty to affluence and back again all within a period of a year or two. He could take the worst blow fortune could deal him without the bat of an eye, or its best favors as matters of course.

Level roads failed to interest him. His trail was always up hill or down. He loved the hill tops for the views they gave him, the valleys for the opportunity to climb.

Such was generous, impulsive, optimistic, lion‑hearted, tender‑hearted Gus.