“ONE Great Community Salutes phil lotich
“ONE Great Community Salutes” is a new Chamber program designed to recognize people who do positive things to improve the quality of life in our community.
This month’s recipient of the Chamber of Commerce ONE Great Community Salute is Phil Lotich. Phil came to Richmond in April of 1968 as the manager of an insurance company. He came to town on a Monday and on Saturday; Richmond experienced the tragic explosion uptown. He says he’s been a part of explosions of a different sort ever since with the American Legion Post 65 fireworks. Phil is proud of his work with the veterans. He’s especially proud of his part in the creation of the Veteran’s Field of Honor in Earlham Cemetery and the Freedom Fountain. If you’ve been to the memorial services in May and November in the last several years, you’ve seen Phil. He has also been a part of over 500 military funerals.
Another of Phil’s pet projects is working with the Area 9 Agency and the area senior citizens. He has been involved with that organization for 15 years and is currently the Moderating President for Area 9’s advisory board.
Phil is also a member of the Sertoma Club and has served as President of that organization twice.
When asked why he thinks someone might nominate him for the ONE Great Community Salute, Phil said he just got in the middle of things happening in the community and got active.
He said, “There’s nothing like volunteering. You help other people help other people and you’re the one who gets the most out of it.” It’s Phil’s caring and volunteer spirit that makes him a great choice for the ONE Great Community Salute!
Phil has been married to his wife Betty for nearly 60 years and says he can’t remember when he wasn’t married. Phil and Betty also spend a lot of time on projects at Reid Presbyterian Church. They have 3 sons. Phil is retired from the insurance business after 40 years with the company.
The Chamber plans to select an award recipient monthly and will be honoring the recipients in different ways throughout the month.
