The Rotary Club of Kerrville has spent one hundred years shaping the character, leadership, and service culture of the Texas Hill Country. Its story begins in 1926, when Kerrville was a small but growing community of about 3,500 residents. Wool and mohair were major industries, and many of the town’s most recognizable names were among the club’s twenty charter members.
The club was organized largely through the work of Dr. Sam Thompson and Louis A. Schreiner. The official creation of the club occurred at the St. Charles Hotel on the evening of February 26, 1926. Sid Hardin, Governor of Rotary International’s 47th District, presented the charter, and Hal Tucker spoke on the Rotary Code of Ethics. Forty Rotarians from San Antonio attended the ceremony. Officers elected that night included Dr. Sam Thompson as president, Louis Schreiner as vice president, and L. W. McCoy as secretary. Other charter members included S. Dick Eastland, Dr. E. Galbraith, John L. Pampell, and Hal Peterson. The club’s first community project was to sponsor Kerrville’s first Boy Scout troop, followed by construction of a scout hut to support the program. These early efforts set the tone for a century of service.
A Club That Grew With Its Community
Rotary’s origins trace back to 1905, when Paul Harris founded the first club in Chicago so professionals from diverse backgrounds could exchange ideas and form meaningful friendships. Meetings originally rotated among members’ places of business, which inspired the name Rotary.
As Kerrville grew, so did its Rotary Club. One of the most influential figures in its modern history is Rosa Lavender, the third woman ever inducted into the club. Rosa moved to Kerrville fifty five years ago and taught at Tivy High School for many years. Even before joining Rotary, she served as the Tivy Interact sponsor and later became the coordinator for Rotary Youth Exchange students. As club historian, she has researched countless records to document the early members, their contributions, and the evolution of the club’s service.
Her work has preserved the stories that define the club’s identity and ensured that the Centennial year would be grounded in authentic history.
The Morning Rotary Club
In 1988, the Rotary Club of Kerrville chartered the Kerrville Morning Rotary Club to provide an option for members whose schedules prevented them from attending lunchtime meetings. Though small in number, the Morning Club developed a reputation for exceptional commitment, earning honors such as the Every Rotarian, Every Year award and maintaining one of the highest percentages of Paul Harris Fellows in the region. Their work in scholarships, literacy, youth mentorship, and community support has made them an essential part of Rotary’s presence in Kerr County.
Voices From the Club’s Modern Era
Members like George Eychner, who joined Rotary in 1989 after retiring from the Air Force, have witnessed decades of change. Over the years, George reflected on the admission of women, the evolution of meeting formats, and the club’s signature initiatives such as the First Responders Luncheon and downtown Christmas decorations. He emphasized the importance of Rotary as a place where relationships are built, leaders are developed, and service becomes a shared purpose.
Preserving the Legacy
As the Centennial approached, Rosa Lavender presented a multipart historical series at Noon Rotary, walking members through each decade of service. Tammy Prout produced a beautifully crafted print publication capturing the club’s milestones, photographs, and defining moments. Together, their work created a lasting record of the club’s first century.
The Centennial Celebration
On February 25, 2026, under the leadership of Gregg Faldyn, the club gathered for its Centennial Celebration. Members, community partners, and guests honored the past and looked toward the future. Challenge coins were donated in memory of Doug and Sue Whinnery, symbolizing the personal bonds and shared legacy that define Rotary Kerrville.
Centennial Service Projects
To mark its 100th year, the club established two major Centennial Projects.
Guardian Plaza Flagpoles
At the new Public Safety Facility, the club installed the flagpoles at Guardian Plaza. These flagpoles honor the firefighters, law enforcement officers, EMS personnel, and first responders who protect Kerr County. The project reflects Rotary’s long partnership with public safety agencies.
The Rotary Room at the Hill Country Heritage Center
In partnership with the Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country, the club created The Rotary Room inside the newly renovated Hill Country Heritage Center. The space serves as a hub for education, historical exhibits, and civic engagement, ensuring that Rotary’s story remains visible and accessible.
Rising Above the Floods: A Modern Example of Rotary Service
The Centennial year also brought an unexpected test of Rotary’s mission. When devastating floods struck Kerr County on July 4th, the damage to first responders’ equipment and resources was immediate. Donations poured into Rotary District 5840 from across the nation and around the world. Immediate Past President Kristi Shepherd stepped forward to coordinate the response. She contacted first responders, assessed their needs, and wrote Disaster Relief Grants through both the District and Rotary International. Her work ensured that equipment used, damaged, or lost during rescue efforts could be replaced.
Her grant efforts secured:
- One specialty washer and two specialty dryers for bunker gear
- Three ATVs
- Eight sets of Swift Water Rescue Equipment
- Eight EMS StatPacks and four Intubation Rolls
- Seventy five pairs of tactical boots
She is also procuring a tactical drone for the Kerr County Sheriff’s Department and EMS medical bags through the club’s 501(c)(3). Her leadership demonstrated Rotary’s ability to respond quickly, compassionately, and effectively in times of crisis.
A Century Completed. A Century Beginning
From its founding in 1926 to its Centennial in 2026, the Rotary Club of Kerrville has remained a constant force for good. Its members have built scout huts, supported youth, strengthened public safety, preserved history, responded to disasters, and invested in the future of Kerr County. The next century begins with the same spirit that launched the first: neighbors helping neighbors, leaders serving with integrity, and Rotarians working together to make Kerr County and the world better.