Kendrick Guernsey of the Rotary Club of Jacksonville, Florida was Rotary International President 1947 – 48. His vision for Rotary , “To train men in every community for strong, unselfish service”.
When Samuel Kendrick Guernsey became a chartered member and first secretary of the Rotary Club of Orlando, Florida USA in 1920, he was the clubs youngest member. But he was such an effective member that the next year, the club made him its president.
Ken was born in reared in Orlando. He graduated from University Pennsylvania with a B.S. degree, and after service in World War I, join the family real estate and investment business with his brothers in a hardware business.
Throughout his 57 years and Rotary he communicated Rotary’s commitment to Service particularly through presentations on Rotary education and development of program elements and literature. Ken originated the slogan which is unofficially the motto of Rotary International assembly, “Enter to Learn – Go Forth to Serve.
Young people were always one of his major concerns. His rise from the club to district to international Rotary duties was rapid. In 1925 – 26, he chaired the RI Boys Work Committee, and the next year became the second vice president. As Boys Work chairman, Ken called together other groups in the US and Canada to form the International Boys and Girls Week, which was observed around the world.
In the early 1940’s, Ken moved to Jacksonville to head the Gulf Life Insurance Company and immediately entered into the city’s civic life, including its Rotary Club. He served on a state road, commission, education committees, the Chamber of Commerce, Boy Scouts and many other agencies. He also expanded his business interest, to banking, chemical manufacturing and hotel management.
Mrs Guernsey, wife of Kendrick is one of three spouses acknowledged for their service to Rotary with a plaque at the Rotary Melbourne Peace Park.
