Where were YOU in 1902?

Yes, it’s true. Born Rose Wyrsch, Rose Cliver entered this world in her family home on October 9, 1902. She was a middle child of thirteen, raised on a farm in the Bernal Heights neighborhood of San Francisco. Rose is the lone survivor among her siblings, has outlived one of her two children, and is the oldest known survivor of the San Francisco Earthquake of 1906.

Recalling her upbringing with amazing clarity, Rose boasts that she “wasn’t supposed to live even twelve years” because she was born a month early after her mother chased a family cow during her pregnancy. She also vividly remembers climbing the Bernal Heights hill with her father and siblings to gaze down at the burning City of San Francisco after the Great Quake.

The 1906 earthquake wasn’t as impactful on a three year old as you might expect. The World events which had the greatest impact on Rose were the World Wars: two of her brothers served in World War I and a third brother served in World War II. Her parents never talked about war or discussed politics at home, but she knew they worried about her brothers’ safety.

When you first meet a spry 107 year old, after reeling with amazement a logical first question is, “What’s the secret to living so well, so long?” Rose lived independently in San Francisco until 2008, and then with her son, Don and his wife in Santa Rosa until earlier this year, when she moved to a local residential care home. Without hesitation, Rose responded, “my Grandchildren kept me alive” (she helped raise one grandchild and one great-grandchild). After a little more digging, I’m also attributing an active lifestyle, along with never smoking or drinking, to Rose’s longevity. As for food, Rose says she’ll eat “whatever you give me!” Despite some hearing loss, at age 107 Rose can hear without aides and moves around quite well with a three-wheeled walker.

The Wyrsch’s were “strict but good people” from Switzerland, and Rose attended Catholic grammar school. She fondly remembers the “good old days” of picnics, parties, “kids to play with,” hiking, singing, and dancing. She also reminisced about her regular adventures taking the train from San Francisco to Marin County and “hiking a mountain” in Mill Valley before descending on a dance hall (Muir Woods?) She met her husband, Charles, on one of these hikes and they married two years later, in 1923. Rose admits her parents didn’t approve of their non-Catholic nuptials (Charles was Episcopalian) but they had a good life together until his death in 1985, and enjoyed traveling throughout the United States. Reflecting on her life, Rose has no regrets but does wish they kept their plans to travel to Germany with her sister.

At age 107, Rose Cliver still has an amazing amount of “get up and go,” and clearly knows who she is, what she wants, and what’s important in a life well lived!

Del Raby

Through the years, Del Raby has demonstrated an inspiring commitment to the Boy Scouts of America, which celebrates its 100^th anniversary this year, and Rotary International, a business service organization which currently spans 200 countries and promotes “Service Above Self.” Del joined the Boy Scouts as soon as he was old enough, knew he wanted to be a Boy Scout executive by age 16, served a 31 year career with the organization, and has remained an active advocate for Scouting since his retirement in 1981. On May 16, Del will be presenting an Eagle Scout badge to the grandson of a man Del presented the same badge to at age 16. The boy’s great grandfather was also an Eagle Scout; one family’s tradition Del is honored to be a part of.

Demonstrating a similar commitment to Rotary, Del has been an active member of Rotary International for 40 years. He holds an impressive 100% attendance record, served as District Governor, and has been an active member of the Santa Rosa Sunrise Rotary Club since its founding in 1987.

Now 83, Del was born in Grass Valley, CA and grew up in Chico. His parents both worked for the Salvation Army, holding weekly services in halls and preaching on street corners during the 1920s and 30s. He was married to two very talented women: Mary, a vocalist he met through scouting at age 20 who died in 1970, and Harriet, an artist he met through both Rotary and Scouting who died in 1998. He has no children.

“Scrounging” with his father for Indian artifacts, followed by the pursuit of old bottles in dumps was one of Del’s fondest memories growing up. He credits his father and these experiences with planting the seeds for his post-retirement interest in archaeology and his proudest accomplishment: While at his first “dig” in Chile’s Patagonia, Del noticed a nearby boarding school had no hot water or showers and limited cooking supplies, so he approached the Santa Rosa Sunrise Rotary board of directors with what became the club’s first international project: bringing these services to the school in Patagonia.

The single world event which has left the most lasting impression on Del was World War II. He tried to enlist in 1944 and was initially turned down but was then drafted in February, 1945. Del was training in Okinawa, Japan during the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. He recognizes and appreciates the fact that the course of his life may have been quite different if his wartime experience had been different.

Many people ponder the question “If you could live life over again, what would you do differently? Del would have “pushed” himself more within both Boy Scouts and Rotary to realize his goals. He wouldn’t want to be overly aggressive, but in retrospect sees missed opportunities to become more visible within each organization.

Del’s advice for today’s youth is to stay away from drugs, graduate from high school, pursue higher education, and plan your life around a career. He also strongly supports scouting because it builds character and leadership skills.

As for his secret to staying healthy and vibrant, Del credits the fact that he never smoked and is a light drinker: he didn’t have his first drink, a martini, until age 25. He also has many hobbies which keep his mind active, including crossword puzzles, computer word processing, collecting inkwells and Boy Scout memorabilia, extensive travel, and staying in contact with the many people he’s met through the years.