This photo is Dick Fowler being honored as Paul Harris plus 9.

"I was born in Auburn, California and I and my two brothers and two sisters are 5th generation Placer County residents. In fact, my Fowler genealogy dates back to the California Gold Rush, the Massachusetts Puritans and back to Marlborough, England.

I went to schools in Lincoln and college at California Polytechnic and earned a degree in Ornamental Horticulture. I met my wife of 50 “deliriously happy” years (her words) at Cal Poly and we have a daughter and son who also graduated from Cal Poly. We have 5 grandchildren.

After Cal Poly I returned home to continue working with my grandfather and father in the nursery founded in 1912. The nursery grows fruit and nut trees for commercial orchardists throughout the western states, and have shipped trees to every continent except Antarctica. My sister and her family still operate the Fowler Ranch Marker and soon- to -open Brewery.

 

Growing up I was in Cub Scouts and then very active in Boy Scouts of America with my grandson, Randy, who is now an Eagle Scout. I have been awarded the Golden Empire Silver Beaver Award.

I've been active in the Masonic Lodge, 4th generation Master Mason and Past Master of Gold Hill Masonic Lodge, I'm a 55 year member of the Society of the Sons of the American Revolution and received their award for service in the Boy Scouts of America. I served as directors of the Calif. Association of Nurserymen and Sierra College Foundation.

I assisted the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce with the selection and planting of pistachio trees on 5th, 6th,E, F and G streets. Dealing with the Lincoln soil is very deep.

My father and grandfather were Rotarians and my father was my Rotary sponsor starting my 50 years of service with the Lincoln Club. I'm a Paul Harris Fellow and received the Cliff Dochterman Award for service in the Boy Scouts of America.

The principles and standards of these four organizations now thread through five Fowler generations. I enjoy the Rotary camaraderie and being able to participate and contribute to the welfare of our community, our nation, and the world.

I often say my roots are deep here in Lincoln and Placer County. Though the soil is much better a few miles east of Lincoln, I can’t think of anywhere else I’d rather be planted.