LAKEPORT >> Congratulations are in order to Lake County native Don Lange of Lakeport who was recognized on November 15 for his 45 years of membership by the Lakeport Rotary Club. He received a handsome eagle in flight trophy figure mounted over the engraved words “Service Above Self” which was awarded by District Representative Dr. Paul Theilen of Sebastopol and local President Bruce Maxwell.
Don has the distinction of having committed his time and talents serving Rotary causes since 1972, through countless local, state, national, and international Rotary projects with the goal of improving the lives of community members and the environment. Don’s fellow club members counted on him to work at big and little fundraising events year after year, without hesitation. The list includes such annual projects such as the Easter Egg Dye and Hunt; the Christmas Basket Giveaway; the Konocti Challenge Bicycle Event; and the Lake County Fair Beer Booth.
Don was sponsored into Rotary by respected businessman and Lakeside Hospital Philanthropist, Baird Anton and he served on the Rotary Board of Directors for his club 10 times; served at length as Committee Chair of our Bylaws Committee; Advisor to multiple Club Presidents; and attended the Rotary International Convention in Birmingham England, and one in Las Vegas.
Don served as Club President in 1983-84 and saw the initial club efforts to sponsor the existing much appreciated Lakeport Senior Center. That same year Rotary expanded to welcome women into what previously was a men only organization. Don also led his club into supporting the Rotary International Polio Eradication Project, which now annihilated this dreaded disease in all but three counties of the world.
During his youth, he spent six years in the US Army Reserve; and worked just over two years on the construction of the Linear Accelerator located on the campus of Stanford University, in the quality control division.
Don was also very much a part of Lange Brothers Construction, between 1965 — 1992, which at one time was the only roadway construction company in the County. He had his own construction company thereafter; sold construction equipment; and currently has a carpet cleaning business.
All the while, the wind beneath his wings has been his lovely wife Jaye of 52 years and their two grown sons Brian and Kevin. Thanks are in order Don, for your lifelong contribution of “Service Above Self.”
