KIWANIS MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

Gordon Minns is a relatively new member of Kiwanis, yet he has already made quite an impression on the Club and our members with his resourcefulness and willingness to contribute.

He grew up in a small town in rural West Virginia amongst goats and horses with very few other kids within walking distance, so he started school early to have some friends. His grandfather’s lumber yard was where he would catch the school bus, so he began spending time in the mill learning how to operate the milling machinery. He discovered that he really loved the challenge of learning how to run complex machinery and became very good at it even though he was young.

Then a teacher noticed his inquisitiveness and was able to get him an old physics book which he read cover to cover and took all the tests at the end of each chapter. His interests shifted from mechanical challenges to electrical and electronic devices. He became an inventor of electronic devices. He was very fortunate as when he shared his interest with adults with technological knowledge, they were willing to mentor him. He designed and built radios at 12 and by 16 had obtained an FCC First Class Commercial Radio Telephone license that enabled him to be Chief Engineer at the local radio/television station.

He sought out mentors and was fortunate to find them while attending a top college prep school, called Mercersburg Academy. One mentor was a doctor and he developed an interest in medicine and medical equipment. Soon he was designing and building electronic medical test equipment. And the rest is history; a career in owning companies doing design and building of computerized medical equipment, as well as industrial process control computers.

Gordon Minns discovered Kiwanis at the Pancake Breakfast event noticing how our people in the “pancake line” were all having fun working together and with the customers. He liked what he saw as he was seeking just such an activity and began talking with us and filled out an application and joined Kiwanis.

He has already become active with our service committees. He is enjoying being involved with a Club that is committed to helping children in our immediate community.

If you have an interest in supporting the kids in our community, please see our website or email Bob Moore at ramco4032@gmail.com.