Response to J. Michael Lenninger, 5/20/20
Before I begin, Michael, you should know that I had prepared a response to your request for information in MAY. It was ready for you with the exception that I wanted to add the exact date the Rotary Club of Canton was chartered, as I have been a Rotarian since that date, May 16, 1977. However, I got busy before getting the date and completing my response. So, now it is December 15, so you have to read this in the context that it is now, seven months later than your request. So, here we go... [Worry not, Roger. Good stories are timeless.]
Beginnings: Born December 20, 1946 in lonia, Michigan - a small farm town about midway between Lansing and Grand Rapids.
What is your profession: I am an attorney, practicing in Plymouth. I am not a trial attorney which means that I practice law that you would find a lawyer providing from his or her office - Real Estate, Estate Planning, Business and Corporate law, etc.
At right, Roger was the Member Spotlight on March 6, 2020 and was asked what he did best. "Take naps," was his reply, as we all laughed. "Well, I am retired," he said.
Where did you go to school: I attended St John's Lutheran School until I moved to lonia High School (home of the BULLDOGS). After graduating, I moved on to college at MSU where I received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration/Pre-Law. I graduated, with honors, in June 1969. After spending a training year in the US Army, I began Law School at the University of Michigan law in Ann Arbor until December, 1972 when I was awarded a Juris Doctorate Degree in Law. [May we call you Dr. Haslick, I presume?]
Why you joined Rotary: My Grandfather was a Lansing Rotarian, I believe. I was the oldest grandchild and grew up listening to stories about being an entrepreneur and a Rotarian and often attended Rotary functions with Grandpa. The fact that Rotarians were also business folks who were there to serve others was important to me because I intended to be in a service profession. Additionally, Grandpa was a world traveler, often attending Rotary International Conventions and I also wanted to travel the world
I have been Club President twice, an assistant Governor and Club Secretary. I was the Canton Club's first Sargent-at-Arms (aka The Fine Sheriff and Happy Dollar Collector).
How I am doing during the COVID-19 Quarantine: I was in my office on the day the Governor shut everything down, the first time. I was home about three days when I told my wife that, because I own the office building in Plymouth, I need to know the day some kid throws a rock through a window not three months from that day. I went back to work the next day and have been there ever since. I am well and handling the pandemic.
Personal Life: I am married to Maurene for 36 years and have three sons - Zach (35, a pilot), Tim (33 a computer graphics specialist) and Kyle (31), a teacher in the international school system, currently, in Greece. Kyle is married to Ting and the father of grandchild #1, Chloe). I had 1 sister -Marge, 15 months younger than me, married to Jim, in Australia, until her death in 2012; and one1 brother, Lee, married to Marcia and living in Grand Haven.
Pets: Two dogs - Lupin and Zero, Siberian Huskies and one handsome cat - Boots.
Super-talents/hidden super powers: None, just soldiering on. [Spoken like a true veteran. Ten-Hut!]
Favorite Book(s): Anything by James Patterson - mysteries and detective stories with short chapters and twisty, turning plots.
One thing most people don't know about me: Apparently I am an Asian-American (according to Google) even though all of my grandparents were of European ancestry.
Favorite Quotation: "None"
Best Advice: "Always do the best you can."
A Do Over: I would not be a lawyer -- too much stress! [But you're one of the most laid-back guys we know, Roger.]
Greatest fear: Experiencing no hope for the future.
If I had a million dollars: I would provide homes, food and rest for every retired, hard-working animal I could find.