HISTORY OF LAKEWOOD ROTARY CLUB
A Legacy Begins
The Rotary Club of Lakewood was officially chartered on June 19, 1956, with Robert Bernnard serving as its first president. Twenty of Lakewood’s business and professional leaders became charter members, united by Rotary’s enduring values of integrity, fellowship, inclusiveness, and Service Above Self.
From the very beginning, the club focused on strengthening the community. Early projects included providing scholarships to graduating seniors at Clover Park High School while actively growing a membership dedicated to making a difference.
In 1961, the club launched what would become its first signature fundraiser—the Easter Pancake Breakfast. More than a meal, it embodied the spirit of Rotary by bringing together families, friends, and neighbors in service to the community. Its success demonstrated what dedicated volunteers could accomplish and established a model for many fundraising traditions that followed.
“Whatever Rotary may mean to us, to the world it will be known by the results it achieves
Growing Our Impact
As the club matured, so did its vision. In 1979, Lakewood Rotarians accepted an ambitious challenge to honor Charles “Cap” Peterson by raising $233,000 to establish the Cap Peterson Renal Dialysis Center. The campaign included numerous community events, highlighted by a sold-out lecture featuring Nobel Prize-winning economist Milton Friedman. The experience proved that, with committed leadership and a shared purpose, no goal was beyond reach.
Another long-standing tradition began in 1971 with the Sportsmen’s Dinner, which continues to be one of the club’s premier fundraising events. Over the decades, proceeds from club fundraisers have helped make countless community improvements possible, including:
- Charlie “Cap” Peterson Fields
- The Lakewood YMCA
- The Lakewood Boys & Girls Club
- Emergency equipment, including the “Jaws of Life,” for the Lakewood Fire Department
- A $100,000 gift to the Mary Bridge Children’s Sexual Abuse Center
- Springbrook Park
- The playground at Fort Steilacoom Park
- Startup funding for the International Baccalaureate Program in the Clover Park School District
Today, the club continues to invest annually in community grants, youth programs, scholarships, international humanitarian projects, and holiday food assistance for local families.
Service Beyond Fundraising
While fundraising has enabled significant community investments, the heart of Lakewood Rotary has always been its people.
The club has become one of District 5020’s leaders in supporting the Rotary Foundation, contributing more than $1 million and inspiring nearly 300 Paul Harris Fellowships. Thanks to the dedication of members like Russ Klauser and Mike McGowan, a culture of generosity took root that has influenced clubs throughout the district.
Equally important are the friendships formed through Rotary. Holiday celebrations, sporting events, scenic excursions, baseball outings, presidential roasts, floating board meetings, ski weekends, and countless shared experiences have built lasting relationships among members while strengthening their commitment to service.
For more than 70 years, the Rotary Club of Lakewood has been a positive force in the community. Guided by Rotary’s motto, Service Above Self, the club continues to improve lives locally and around the world while building friendships that last a lifetime.
LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR CLUB’S HISTORY
You can find out more about the history of the Rotary Club of Lakewood in our club history book. Updated in March 2026, it is available for download below.