January 12, 2009

Surprise anniversary party for 50-year Kiwanian

Cambrian Park Kiwanis Club held a surprise anniversary party for 50-year member Tom Rigler at the Three Flames restaurant on Dec. 17. Rigler had been expecting to attend a club Christmas Party.

50-year Cambrian Park Kiwanis Club member Tom Rigler stands with his family; son Bruce, Rigler, his wife Pat and Sue Rigler Palmer and Jon Palmer, his daughter and son-in-law. Photo by Carol Rosen

It was quite a party with members from various Bay area clubs attending including Los Gatos, San Jose, West San Jose, the West Metro Club, Southern Nevada, Campbell, Almaden and Fremont as well as family and Cambrian Park club members.

Rigler, who joined the club on Dec. 17, 1958, served as president and various other offices including Lt. Governor of the district in 1975-76. He is well known among Kiwanis club members throughout California, Nevada and Hawaii as a singer and as a member who has never missed a meeting, said current Lt. Gov. Sue Flanagan Cordingly.

Among the gifts and awards he received was a certificate and a pin of the Legion of Honor for 50-years of membership, a certificate that shows his 50 years of perfect attendance and a commendation from the city along with a chocolate D9 star from soon-to-be Vice Mayor and current Councilmember Judy Chirco.

—By Carol Rosen