Karl Hertz--A Model for all Rotarians
Over 50 Years a Rotarian
My years in Rotary started as a member of the
club in Indianapolis in 1971. It had over 500
members so it was a little difficult to get to
know most of the people. At that time the
classification expectation was still quite
rigidly in place; I was principal at the Jesuit
high school, and the club already had the
president of Butler University and the
superintendent of the Indianapolis public
schools so it took awhile for my membership to
pass muster. Our meetings had amazing speakers
because we attracted major figures from numerous
fields.
When my career took me to a Chicago suburb of
Munster, I had the experience of a recently
started club. Unlike Indy, all members were
deeply involved in all activities. For me it was
the start of my realization that Rotary comes in
packages of all sizes. During that time, the
club put in place a small park at the corner of
a significant intersection including an
interesting piece of art.
Our next move was to Neenah, WI. The Rotary
club was founded in 1925. It had a long history
of all sorts of community involvement. The
membership was about 100, and we sang from the
Rotary song book at every meeting which was a
fun new Rotary experience. Our son Michael
finished college at Georgetown during that time;
he wanted to go to central America and build a
school in the countryside where there was none.
The Neenah club raised the money. I went to see
it over spring vacation, took pictures, and upon
returning talked about it at numerous clubs. It
was a personal experience of Rotary in action
and life changing for me.
Then we moved to the Mequon and Thiensville
community as I became school superintendent, and
my wife joined the Cedarburg schools. A new
adventure was afoot. I’ve now been a member of
the Thiensville-Mequon club for 42 years; it was
started in 1937. I enjoyed being club president
it over spring vacation, took pictures, and upon
returning talked about it at numerous clubs. It
was a personal experience of Rotary in action
and life changing for me.
Then we moved to the Mequon and Thiensville
community as I became school superintendent, and
my wife joined the Cedarburg schools. A new
adventure was afoot. I’ve now been a member of
the Thiensville-Mequon club for 42 years; it was
started in 1937. I enjoyed being club president
when we sponsored the start of the Mequon-
Thiensville Sunrise club. In 1996-97 I had the
Thiensville Sunrise club. In 1996-97 I had the
good fortune to be District 6270 governor, and
really enjoyed visiting all the clubs which
confirmed my belief that Rotary clubs come in
all sizes and with various personalities.
On two occasions we had the very special
opportunity to attend the Rotary International
Convention in Calgary in 1996 and Indianapolis
in 1998.
Over the years, a daughter joined Rotary in
another district. I had experienced women
finally being admitted, albeit after a lawsuit,
and at first only where it was illegal. Happily,
R.I. very shortly recognized the wisdom of women
being members all over the world.
Our Rotary worldwide is a wonderful vehicle
for all of us to do good deeds. Let’s keep it
up.
really enjoyed visiting all the clubs which
confirmed my belief that Rotary clubs come in
all sizes and with various personalities.
On two occasions we had the very special
opportunity to attend the Rotary International
Convention in Calgary in 1996 and Indianapolis
in 1998.
Over the years, a daughter joined Rotary in
another district. I had experienced women
finally being admitted, albeit after a lawsuit,
and at first only where it was illegal. Happily,
R.I. very shortly recognized the wisdom of women
being members all over the world.
Our Rotary worldwide is a wonderful vehicle
for all of us to do good deeds. Let’s keep it
up.
Karl Hertz
Fall, 2026
Thanks Karl, for all of your service to the educational world, and everything you have done, and continue to do, for Rotary and your community/world at large. To date, I believe that Karl is the only T-M Rotary Club member who has served as a District Governor for District 6270.