FogHorn April 26, 2018 - SHOP TALKS - Tim Haller and EJ Dieterle

Posted by Editor: FDBobko

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The FOGHORN

ROTARY CLUB OF HALF MOON BAY

April 26, 2018

SHOP TALKS

Tim Haller and EJ Dieterle

Article by Mary Rogren

Photos by EJ Dieterle

Tim Haller, our newest member, shared a bit of himself and his history with the Club!

Tim recently joined the Miller Dutra Coastside Chapel as Managing Director. Tim, who knew Greg and Chris Miller from years ago, was a natural to take over the role of Managing Director after Greg retired. (Miller Dutra is part of the Cypress Lawn network out of Colma.)

But first, Tim was born in Joliette, Illinois, into baseball royalty --- but that wasn’t established until his father, Tom Haller, signed on with the San Francisco Giants and then moved to San Mateo in 1961.

Tim spoke about his father who was a quarterback for the University of Illinois, but then moved on to baseball and the San Francisco Giants to become a three-time All-Star – and is still considered to be one of the top catchers of all time. Tim recalled growing up in a baseball household where he frequently had dinners hanging out with Willie Mays and Willie McCovey and other baseball families. Tim knew that he was living a very special life at the time, and he emphasized that he never took for granted these special moments with sharing time with the baseball legends.

But Tim, is amazing as well --- and he shared that he has actually had three careers in his 55 year existence . . .

First, he was a professional baseball player in his own right --- playing for Baltimore Orioles and Chicago White Sox. His career was cut short when he was hit with a baseball at age 27 that left him blind in his left eye.

After baseball, he bought a manufacturing company in Albuquerque, had great success and then sold the company and “retired” (at age 41) shortly before his father’s death (2004). Tim’s father died prematurely (at age 67) and Tim, burdened with his father’s death --- was inspired that he could potentially help others dealing with death and grief. A year late, Tim lost his best friend to cancer. Tim’s message is that dealing with the death of the most significant people in life – losing someone who is closest to you --- can’t be described and you can never fully recover. Whether you are dealing with a death of a spouse, parent, or friend --- you will never be the same.

Tim is a minister, and his mission is to serve God and to serve people and to help/facilitate getting through these difficult periods in life.

Charise asked if he recalls any crazy moments that happened at funerals . . . Tim recalled the typical story in the news of a casket going out the back door of a unlocked hearse on the freeway, but his personal experiences are more mundane!

E.J. Dieterle -- What did you always want to know about EJ, but never dared ask?

Our one and only EJ was born in Egenhausen, a town of 2000 people in the Black Forest. EJ shared amazing pictures of his childhood in Egenhausen with his family --- including his early days wearing Lederhosen, or joining his mates bathing in wash tubs au natural – (or what EJ calls pool parties.)

EJ played many sports growing up and was particularly skilled at soccer and skiing, playing on various teams in his early days. Some of his fondest memories surround skiing – as he couldn’t get enough. His jobs in the early days often had to do with skiing – so that in his free time, he could take that trek down the Matterhorn as a reward . . . After high school, EJ did his mandatory Army service in a parachute battalion (Purple Barets) and he recalled participating in joint training activities with the U.S., France and Canada.

Fast forward to post military, EJ shared where he lived around the world:

Starting with Black Forest; onto Hamburg; New York; Stuttgart; Osaka; Seoul; Jersey City; London; and Half Moon Bay.

Early on in his life, EJ met his wonderful wife, Rose, who shared most of these jaunts around the world with him. While living in Osaka – EJ married Rose (but back in Germany.) EJ shared pictures of the procession through the town in celebration of his marriage – along with the 33 wedding cakes that were baked by friends and family. (Wedding cakes are not bought in Germany – at least in his town!)

EJ also shared pictures of their lives in Germany, Japan, Korea, the UK and the U.S. How did EJ end up in Half Moon Bay? His wife was born in El Granada!

EJ is President and CEO of Yes Partners – Global Executive Search, and has served as country manager in his various jaunts through Japan, Korean, and the UK. He is also a mentor at German Accelerator, a German Government sponsored entity to help German founded startups. EJ is fluent in German (of course), English, French, Spanish, and Japanese. (Rose handles the Korean.)

He still loves skiing, although he was severely injured in a heli skiing accident in Whistler, Canada when he jumped off a cliff.

In his travels, he shared pictures showing the proper way to wear a kilt like a true Scotsman (not disclosing the details here!) He also enjoys golf, and shared that he had (2) hole in ones on the same round of golf while in the UK. (Is Kevin O’Brien jealous?)

EJ grew up with music, and his first experiences were playing in an Oompapa band. He plays multiple instruments, including the saxophone and clarinet – and of course, the accordion. He has often played for wedding parties throughout the years, and he even played for a band when he lived in Seoul. And, he is always fully booked for Oktoberfest events these days.

Thank you, EJ for sharing

April 26, 2018 Meeting Recap

Article by Bill Johnston

Photos by EJ Dieterle

Greeters: Roy Truitt and PP Kevin O'Brien

Inspirational Thought by greeter and new member Roy Truitt brought a chuckle to the assembled throng.

Pledge of Allegiance: Paul Wrubel

Guests and Visitors

Welcome New Member Roy Truitt

President's Report

President Warren gave us a board update.

Foundation chair Liz Shuck reported that the board had toured the new library. Discussions are ongoing regarding Rotary sponsoring some portion of the premises. Since the proposed naming rights range from $25,000-$250,000 for various rooms, the board will be deliberating on our options. Consideration will be given to promoting Rotary with a visible sign in a public area. A Voice from the crowd, and no, it was not me, suggested a plaque over the urinal. Community service chair Rusty was not in attendance since she is still recuperating from her recent surgery. Warren acknowledged the Rotarians who turned out to support the free breakfast for the homeless. Coming up, Warren solicited volunteers for the Global 6K for Water event.

Happy/Not So Happy News

The news consisted of members seeking sympathy for having missing meetings. Kevin O’Brien’s excuses included a week in Texas with friends and golf games followed by Disneyland with grandkids. (Poor baby.) Ginger Minoletti Wants us all to feel sorry for her because a week from today she’s off to Bali for her son Chris’s wedding. (Aah!) Finally, Rose Serdy’s trials and tribulations involved a significant birthday spent lounging on the beach in Cabo San Lucas. (How awful!)

Announcements

Rose also reminded us of the Dream Machines event this coming Sunday which supports the Adult Day Health Center. Also on the immediate horizon is the senior home rehabilitation day on June 2 and the fundraiser for all of the local service organizations occurring on May 1st called Coastside Gives.

Mary Rogen, Youth services chair reported on her visit to RYLA where there were 150 students in attendance including six or seven from half Moon Bay. Warren told us that the RYLA experience caused his daughter to change her perception. She no longer believes that Interact is a variation on Girl Scouts. She has new inspiration to jump in to Interact activities.

Kevin O'Brien encouraged everyone to contact more people for nominations for Service Above Self recognition.

President Warren passed out a flyer for Cause an Effect which is a fundraiser for H2Open Doors. It involves buying your dinner at the Millbrae Chipolte restaurant on Saturday, April 28 between 4 and 8 PM. Half of the proceeds will be donated to the Interact club for this project.
Warren also reported that Holly Axtell from the district office was seeking hosts for six young women who are on a Rotary sponsored tour that will bring them to the bay area between May 22 and May 26. They are from Scotland and England. Anyone interested in hosting should get back to Warren.

At this point in the meeting Charisse interjected to point out that Warren had given short shrift to the vocational services report. She reported that we will be awarding a $500 scholarship to a Half Moon Bay high school student and a $2500 scholarship to a Pilarcitos high school student. The life skills program at the high school will be take place between May 7 and May 14. The interview portion (for which volunteers are needed) will occur on May 14. She is also seeking volunteers to help her and Mary Corcoran put together next year’s program.

Marble Drawing

REMINDERS

Our Monthly Rotary Day at the Community Free Breakfast (held at the Lutheran Church will be Wednesday, MAY 30. Please sign up for a shift for future days (last Wednesday of each month.)

OUR SPEAKERS and PROGRAMS for MAY

MAY 10 - Club Social (No Lunch) Meet at 5:30 - 7 p.m. at Vinoteca in Zaballa Square, 330 Main St.

17th - Speaker: Aldis Petriceks - On Metaphor and Mortality: Why Medicine Needs Stories at the End of Life

24th - Exchange Student Presentations: Louise Chielens & Rafael Matiax

31st - Club Assembly: Magic Prep

PHOTO GALLERY