Rotarian Spotlight: Roy Fonda

 

Each month we will feature one of the many Glen Ellyn Rotary members that make such a difference in our communities. These are people that fill many roles in their day to day lives and apply Rotary values in everything they do. This month’s member is Roy Fonda. Roy is one of the most welcoming and sincere people you will ever meet.

 

Roy: I became a member of the Rotary Club of Glen Ellyn on June 28, 2006.

 

Roy: I joined Rotary to get Peter Zeuthen to stop bugging me about it!  No, actually I was retired and had the time and interest to participate in a service organization.  I had attended a number of Rotary meetings and events as Peter's guest and knew quite a few of the then current members of the Glen Ellyn Club, even though I was no longer living in Glen Ellyn.

 

Roy: My best Rotary memory is the night of my induction into the Glen Ellyn Club.  Unknown to me, my family had been invited and surprised me by being there.  Beth Zeuthen, Peter's lovely wife, made up a song about me becoming a member to the music of Home on the Range, and she sang it in front of everyone at that meeting.  My second best Rotary memory, even though I was not yet a member then, is the school year long (9 months) hosting of a Rotary exchange student from Brazil, Patricia Borello de Castro, who later married my son's best friend and currently lives with her family in Naperville.

 

Roy: I play golf and enjoy making simple woodworking projects.  I closely follow the University of Illinois Fighting Illini and the Chicago White Sox.  I attend almost all of my daughter's coached Glenbard South High School Softball games.  I am active in my college fraternity alumni organization, served on the board of directors of our homeowner's association and am a member of the Village of Winfield's Public Works Committee. 

 

Roy: When I was working for IDOT as the District Operations Engineer, I was interviewed on live television early one weekday morning by ABC Channel 7's Roz Varon, while I was at home sitting in my living room in my pajamas!