Kennewick Kiwanis Notables -

 

Steve Osborne - Steve is a senior partner in the Kennewick law firm of Rettig, Osborne, Forgette. His practice emphasizes insurance defense, including professional malpractice and the defense of companies in wrongful termination claims. Osborne was a founding member of the firm, which traces its roots to one of the oldest firms in the area.
Married 39 years to Karen, two children, Kara and Drew, Kara is married to RB McCord, two children, Emma 8 and Rowan Blaine, 14 months. They reside in St. Louis. Son Drew, a Navy flight instructor (jets) is stationed in Merridian Mississippi. Rejoined Kennewick Kiwanis three years ago. His father Joe Osborne, who passed away in 2009, was a long time Kennewick Kiwanian and Steve joined the ranks of many Kennewick Kiwanians who are part of the same family.
Steve earned his BA degree in Economics from Central Washington University. While a college student, he enlisted in the United States Army Reserve as an enlisted person completing basic training at Fort Ord, California. He received a direct commission as a judge advocate officer following graduation from Gonzaga University School of Law.
In 1991 Osborne volunteered for active duty and was mobilized for Operation Desert Storm where he served as officer in charge of the JAG office at King Khahlid Military City (KKMC). Osborne previously was the Staff Judge Advocate of the 104th Div (IT) headquartered in Vancouver, Washington, with units in twelve western states. He currently holds the rank of lieutenant colonel. LTC. Osborne served overseas tours in Panama and at SHAPE Headquarters in Mons, Belgium, where he handled claims under the Foreign Claims Act.
Osborne is a past member of the Washington State Bar Association Board of Governors serving as governor for the Fourth Congressional District. (1998 -2001) He served as president of the Benton-Franklin Counties Bar Association. (1994-1995) LTC Osborne has been peer rated "AV" as listed in Martindale & Hubble.

 

George Jones - I first joined in 1950, and who sponsored me, I don’t recall. I was forced to drop out because of business conflicts.
Duane Pepiot brought me back in when he was president sometime in 1977. H was a great president. We always had a lot of fun and some serious times.
For 25-30 year I was gate captain for Kiwanis at the Benton- Franklin Fair. I borrowed my daughter, George Anne’s old bicycle and rode around replenishing the tickets and change in the ticket booths. Now someone has to ride in a golf cart, and they have to have many others to take care of this task.
One summer I assisted Glen Reiboldt when he built the main gate booths that are in use now. For years I have taken tickets at the main gate and always find that interesting and fun.
I have served as a committee member on a number of committees.
I enjoy bringing in new members to Kiwanis. I wish there was a record of the number of members I have “suggested” they should join. I think we have been very fortunate to have a group of dedicated individuals, both men and women, who have provided us with great leadership, fun and worked through some hard times.

Pat Johnstone-Jones - I am almost a new kid on the block. I believe I have been in Kiwanis for 5 years and of course my sponsor like many others, was none other than my wonderful husband, George Jones.
I am very active on many boards, including KGH Foundation Treasurer, Safe Harbor Crisis Nursery board president, Advisory Board for 2nd Harvest, board member of the Benton Franklin Volunteer Center and numerous other boards.
I am committee member of YCOP, I enjoy working with Pete Baumann, and he gets right in there and gets the job done. I have worked at the fair taking tickets for most of the years I have been in Kiwanis. I really enjoy that because I get to see a lot of people and clients whom I have not seen for some time. Sometimes, I don’t remember their names but do remember their faces.
I can’t think of any particular story or stories that are my favorite, but I think I enjoy listening to the bantering back and forth between the members. Everyone seems to have a good time. I have visited many other Kiwanis Clubs but none seem to have the fun we have and I have not heard music or singing as good as our club. I am proud to be a member of the Kiwanis Club of Kennewick.

Clyde Painter - I joined Kiwanis in l985 with Rev. Robert Waller as my sponsor. I spent from August 1995 to July 1996 in Auburn, Wa. with the Rio Verde (Green River) Golden K Club. In October, 1995, I was installed as Vice-President. In December, the President left for a Sun River trip and I resided over the club until May and returned to Kennewick of July 1996. In 1999, I took a leave of absence for a year traveling to New Zealand and Australia and returned to the US. In September, 1999, I went to Louisiana and then to Nashville, Tennessee. I attended a club in Nashville till May 2000 and then returned to Kennewick.
During my time in the Kennewick Club, I chaired the InterClub Committee and visited all of the clubs in the Division 54. I also worked at the ticket booth at the fair most of the years I have been a member of the Kennewick Club. It’s been great.

 

 

Glynn (Colonel) Wheeler Honored for 50 years of Kiwanis Service

A special cake to honor Colonel Wheeler was presented at the March 24, 2009 Kennewick Kiwanis meeting before a packed crowd of Kennewick and visiting Kiwanians. Colonel Wheeler - The colonel was president in 1964. He was born in Tonasket In 1918, the family moved to Union Gap, where Glynn went to school. Four years after high school graduation Glynn married the girl he walked down the graduation isle with, Ella Mae Clark.
In August of 1940 with a wife and young son, Glynn was called to active duty in the Army. He served until 1947. During the war he was a young officer that fought in the Philippines and his outfit had terrible losses. When General Douglas McArthur stopped to congratulate the unit prior to taking Manila from the Japanese he found they didn’t have many officers left. He gave on the spot field promotions to Wheeler, who eventually became a colonel in the Army. It was a meeting he has always cherished. In 1951-54, he went back into the Army and served in Germany. Glynn, his wife, son and daughter moved to Kennewick in 1957 and he purchased the Roto Rooter Service in 1958. He owned the business for 21 years.
Pastor Ron Yates asked Glynn to join Kiwanis in 1959 and it was an honor for him to serve as club president in 1964 and Lt. Governor in 1980. He presently is our longest tenured club member.