Dick Rogers named Kiwanian of the Year

DAYTON–Dick Rogers is a doer, and doing is what he does best-at least for the Dayton Kiwanis Club.

Rogers was honored as Kiwanian of the Year by the long-time Dayton service organization. President Kim Lyonnais made the presentation to the first-year Kiwanian at the February 22 luncheon meeting.

"I joined just to be a grunt," Rogers said. "I just want to get out, to help with the project and have fun." Serving in additional roles such as an officer or board member isn't anything Rogers is interested in.

"I like to help with Turkey Bingo, Camp Nancy Lee, doing clean up and upgrades," Rogers said.

Rogers expressed an interest in Kiwanis as an organization following his retirement from a career in the state Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.

"I had retired and was getting to know the community even though my wife Susie and I had been her 22 years," Rogers said. He retired as a Hatchery Specialist IV (assistant manager) from the Lyons Ferry Hatchery.

"I thought I'd join up and see what Kiwanis Club does and help with projects," he said.

Rogers had worked at the Lyons Ferry facility for 16 years, coming to eastern Washington from the West Side, where he served posts at hatcheries in a half dozen or so locations such as Dungeness, Solduc, Willapa Harbor and Sequim. His career ranged a total of 38 years.

"It was a fun 'trip,'" Rogers says of his career. "We got to see a lot of the state and live out in the country besides."

Rogers was born and raised in Burien, Wash., attended Oregon State University, majoring in fisheries, then was hired by the then Department of Fisheries in Hatchery Management.

The couple have a son in Sequim and a daughter in the Tri-Cities.