District Governor David Allgood Inducts Five RCB Members to District Hall of Fame
President Bruce Rogers with District Governor David Allgood and family members of those inducted into the District 6860 Hall of Fame
Rotary District Governor David Allgood attended the May 28th Rotary Club of Birmingham (RCB) meeting to unveil the new Rotary District 6860 Hall of Fame. David Allgood announced the induction of several RCB members in the Founder's Class: Past Presidents Harry Wheelock, John Shelby, Frank Spain, Roy Hickman and Dr. Leslie Wright.
Harry B. Wheelock brought Rotary to Alabama in 1913 as the founder and first President of the Rotary Club of Birmingham. Rotarian George Wheelock, who is Harry's great-grand nephew, accepted on his behalf.
John E. Shelby was a founding member of the Rotary Club of Birmingham, serving as its first Secretary and second President. He served as Regional VP of Rotary International and was known as the “Evangel of Rotary” due to his involvement in founding many civic clubs across the South.
Frank E. Spain served as President of the Rotary Club of Birmingham in 1942-43 and was District Governor the following year. He was the first Birmingham Rotarian to serve as Rotary International President in 1951-52. As RI President, Frank traveled the globe visiting Rotary Clubs. Frank would request a Bible written in the native tongue and accumulated quite a collection during his term. The famikly offered the set of bibles to the Rotary International Museum where they remain a part of the collection. Rotarians Cameron Vowell, Frank's granddaughter, and Maggie McDonald, Frank's great granddaughter, accepted on his behalf.
Roy D. Hickman served as President of the Rotary Club of Birmingham in 1941-42. He was the second Birmingham Rotarian to serve as Rotary International President in 1972-1973. He collected a wide range of items during his travels as a representative of Rotary that are displayed in the Past President's Room at The Harbert Center, including photograph with the Pope. The Pope reportedly said, “Mr. Hickman, Rotary, through its Rotary Foundation, does more to bring world peace than anything outside the church.”
Dr. Leslie S. Wright served as President of the Rotary Club of Birmingham in 1966-67. When Rotary International launched the PolioPlus program in 1985, Dr. Wright was asked to serve as the first RI Chairman for the Eradication of Polio. He traveled the world working to rid the world of the scourge of polio and helped raise millions of dollars to combat the disease. He also served as a Rotary International Director. Leslie's son John Wright, member of the Vestavia Hills Rotary Club, attended to accept on his father's behalf.
"Many thanks to the Club Presidents, Executive Directors, and Assistant Governors who assisted in the details necessary to make these presentations worthy and respectful for the family members and inductees, Allgood said. "Your efforts in helping me establish our District Hall of Fame have touched the lives of our fellow Rotarians."