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Recently, the Lewisburg Sunrise Rotary Club proudly presented Alan Barrick with their 2012 Service Above Self Award during their Annual Club Dinner at the La Primavera Ristorante in Lewisburg. Following is Nada Gray’s introduction of Alan Barrick to the club members at the dinner. Missourians have the reputation for having to be shown values before embracing ideas or projects. They may even be thought to share some of the attributes of the state animal, the mule. Often stereotyped as a stubborn animal that needs physical persuasion to perform, in fact, a typical mule, a male/female hybrid, is patient, even tempered, has cognitive intelligence, is highly intelligent, curious by nature, resistant to disease, long lived, hardy, surefooted and capable of carrying heavy burdens with great endurance. All of these qualities are recognized and respected by Rotarians, not only in our members but as well in individuals who use them to fulfill our standards of service above self. Our nominee this year is a Missourian, born in Saint Louis, educated at Missouri University and graduated from Washington University with a degree in general engineering-the last class to receive this designation. Moving to Lewisburg from Houston when hired by Weis Markets, he assumed responsibilities for their mechanical and electronic systems as varied as air conditioning, lighting, production and recycling. He always had an eye on increased production, innovative technology, profit, food safety and customer satisfaction. Innovations not assigned to departments became his duties. Upon his retirement he was replaced with several employees. Lewisburg inherited his tireless enthusiasm, competency in management, and ability to see projects needed and their solutions. He served on a study committee to explore joint marketing of the area –now known as Susquehanna Valley. He supported Sunbury’s street fair. The Campus Theatre never has his name on the marquee but he is on twenty-four hour call to fix electrical problems, even simply changing bulbs. When it was obvious that filling towel and toilet paper rolls was an issue, he took time to instruct volunteers. You will have to ask him how many college graduates it takes to change light bulbs and toilet paper rolls. Setting up shelf and storage systems, painting and general maintenance, he is the man behind the scene which ensures that your visit to the theatre is at least physically enjoyable. He can be found in his elf costume providing holiday hams and chickens at the Eastern Union County Food Bank. You might have noticed him walking the streets of Lewisburg as an ambassador for the Lewisburg Downtown Partnership. Sans costume he is a regular volunteer at the food bank and as an ambassador. Affectionately known as the tree man in his year of service on the Lewisburg Cemetery Board, he has supervised the removal of dead, dangerous and diseased trees on the 38 acre lot. At one point it seemed the area might be deforested but he had an answer for everyone who wanted to save a tree. He is presently engaged in finding funds for replacements. Supervising and planting Memorial Day flowers on designated grave sites, hand trimming around monuments and with his wife, Martha, maintaining the baby section of the cemetery keep him busy. Three dumpsters of holiday decorations were removed after March 1 and in the fall 1,400 flags will be disposed of properly. The Lewisburg cemetery with its new columbarium and plantings is assuming its proud heritage dating to 1848. Probably his longest term of service is to his church, the First Baptist on S. Third St. As a vestryman and property manager, he has worked to preserve and improve idiosyncrasies inherent in a building dating from the 1860’s. His present preoccupation is repairing the roof, pointing the stone work and restoring the clock in the steeple. He would love to take you up there to view the impressive brass pendulum. As Ben Franklin, he marched in this year’s Fourth of July parade. Formerly he assisted with building the Coldwell Banker float. For many years he got up at six to put out flags and even developed a tool to make the job easier. When the committee needed collection boxes, he built them. If he is lacking in any of the valued attributes of Missourians-it is patience. As a perfectionist and doer-he wants things done yesterday and right. He is not shy about mentioning that, but always with a smile. He is learning to serve on boards rather than independently. His eye opening experience of working with non-profits with limited budgets and costly projects often leads to lamentations. In his spare time he shares his love of tennis with his grand children, attends their musical performances, athletic events and horse shows. He is a loyal friend and does not hesitate to come to their assistance when called. He and his wife Martha have proudly reared two sons, Brett, a lawyer, Curtis, an engineer, and daughter, Anna, an engineer. We can hardly wait to see the accomplishments of their grandchildren. Working behind the scenes as the invisible but highly productive and competent performer, the community is indebted in many ways to Alan Barrick. He truly exemplifies service above self. Nada Gray proudly to presents him, a fellow Missourian, to our president, Tony Cooper for recognition. The public is invited to join the Lewisburg Sunrise Rotary Club at our weekly meeting on Wednesday at 7 a.m. at the Country Cupboard, Lewisburg. © Copyright 2012 by Mifflinburg Telegraph Weekly Newspaper Top of Page |
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