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Surprise, President Benjamin Fisher actually presided over this meeting!! It is only a quick sighting as he is off again next week. He started the meeting on time and thanked the greeter, PP Ed Jackson, asked Aaron Donahue to lead the pledge, gave PP Mark Rogo the floor for the Thought of the Day, joined in singing “America” led by PP Ed Gauld and, thanked new member Bob Simon for writing the Windmill. What??? but Bob Simon is the speaker today and, he’s writing the Windmill!!?? Talk about a multi-tasker!!
Special Guests for the day included Matthew Yuan and Ethan Kim.
PP Mark Rogo once again took over the microphone to tell us about his trip to Japan and present the Club with flags he received while attending Rotary meetings. Thank you, PP and PE Mark!
President Benjamin then introduced Westwood Rotary’s new member, Bob Simon. Bob is a true Californian, having been born in Santa Monica. He graduated undergrad at California State University Fullerton, received his Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) from USC with additional studies in gnathology and occlusion from UCLA in 1974, and received his Masters of Science in Dentistry from the University of Washington. He opened his own shop, the Robert L. Simon Dental Group in 1979 in Fullerton.
Bob is a 30-year member of Rotary, being with Clubs in Santa Barbara and Orange County before joining Westwood. He was Club President in 2003-2004 and attended the Rotary Convention in Brisbane, Australia. So he is a seasoned Rotarian we are glad to have as a member of our Club.
Bob came to be born in California via Poland where his parents grew up. He gave quite an interesting back story on his parents and how they eventually ended up in California. His Mother spent time in a concentration camp (Auschwitz) where she sorted clothing before finally getting out where she found her way to Austria where a sister was located before finally coming to America. She met Bob’s father in 1946, married in 1947 and 9-months later Bob arrived followed a few years later by his sister.
After graduating dental school Bob went to work in Santa Barbara with his father for six years and where he first joined Rotary. Bob moved the practice to Fullerton when his father retired and became a full-time trumpeter!
Bob is known for his work as a prosthodontist who is a dentist that specializes in the function and appearance of the teeth and jaws. His primary function is teeth restoration and replacement. He also provides advice on proper dental prosthetics such as crowns and bridges.
Bob has received many accolades and awards such as the Patient Top Choice and, Doctors Top Choice Awards over the years. He is a published author in numerous Dental Association publications.
Unfortunately for all of us, Bob is now retired. He sold his business in 2023 to Jun Park who is now his dentist! Retiring is not unfortunate for Bob though as he is traveling the world with his wife Amy Smith, baking cakes and golfing, both hobbies he loves and, enjoying his three children and first grandchild, Winslow Horton Shaw.
It was a wonderful presentation with pictures and numerous family stories. We only wished Bob had baked one of his favorite cakes to share with us!
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