Remembering Rotarian Newton J. Kellackey

Newton J. Kellackey, Jr. DDS, was a charter member of the West Shore Rotary Club, (chartered as the Fairview-West Park Rotary) founded in 1961.

He was a 57 year Rotarian, Paul Harris Fellow, and a veteran of the US Air Force, 1st Lieutenant (1953-55).

 

He was recognized by the West Shore Rotary Club with a lifetime achievement award on October 14, 2010, for his service to the club, and the local and international community.

 

Newt was a dentist, in private practice, specializing in orthodontics. His compassion for people in need was a driving force for the humanitarian commitments that became part of his life and he used his skills in dentistry on the missions that he served.  With the support of the Rotary Club, Newt made many trips to Brazil to meet their medical needs.  Newt developed, with total support from the club, thirteen international health care missions to the Amazon jungle.  He spearheaded the shipping of 200 baby scales, 35 bicycles, 400 pairs of glasses, a four wheel drive truck, an entire surgical lab and equipment, and the building of 11 water wells. In 2002 Newt and Dan Fronczak (through their hard work), got pledges from 22 clubs within our district and with funds from Rotary International, provided a much needed replacement truck to the Esperanza organization, in the city of Santarem, Brazil.  Through Newt’s influence, Rotary supported an international exchange student from Brazil.  He volunteered on other missions, as well, with other organizations on religious and medical missions. His last trip to Brazil was in 2003.

 

Our Club is proud of Newt and all he accomplished in his lifetime, as a Rotarian, and a humanitarian.

 

Thank you, Newt, for your dedication to Rotary and its founding principles of service above self.  May God hold you in his loving arms.