It’s not unusual for our Club to have visitors – even from overseas – but we were particularly delighted to welcome Allen Rush to a recent meeting. Allen, a Rotarian from Lufkin, Texas, USA, last visited the Club 31 years ago, in 1992!
Allen had been awarded a Rotary Ambassadorial Scholarship to study at the University of Kent at Canterbury. In view of the Rotary connection, Allen was invited to lunch with The Rotary Club of Canterbury on several occasions during his 1992/93 study year.
When he had finished his year in Canterbury, Allen returned to Texas to complete his studies and he joined the Rotary Club of Lufkin achieving the role of President of that Club during his membership.
Thirty-one years later, Allen and his wife, Amy, have two children: Christopher and Cora. The family visited Ireland and England recently. During their visit to Kent they were invited to attend a Rotary Club of Canterbury meeting during which Allen was presented with a Club banner to take back to Texas with the Club’s best wishes.
The President of the Rotary Club of Canterbury in 1992/93 was John Hill – who is still a member of our Club. Allen and John were reunited during the meeting.
Picture: Allen (centre) pictured with PP John Hill (left) and President Rosemary Doyle. Picture credit: Maxine Blades/Rotary Club of Canterbury.
With thanks to Graham Bough for help with this article.
