ROB NORTHRUP ROTARY DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD

Presented at University Living, Ann Arbor, April 11, 2023 and at Rotary Club of Ann Arbor, April 26, 2023

Rob, you have always been a stand-out person. From Yale University undergrad to Harvard Medicine – you excelled. We are here to honor you. We live our own values by who we honor. Today, Rotary awards you, Rob, its highest honor, the Distinguished Service Award. We admire your humanitarian service to the world. You spent a career in global health working in various places especially in Asia for various organizations including World Health Organization (WHO) and Project HOPE. One of your most amazing accomplishments is perfecting ORT (Oral Rehydration Therapy). In the past many people would die of dysentery. In cholera and typhoid infected countries when the illness came through, adults who had survived to adulthood were immune, but children died in vast numbers. You perfected the ORT and made it easy to administer, even by low-skilled people. You did the science, proved its effectiveness, and trained people to administer it. According to WHO, ORT is credited with saving 1.5 million to 2.5 million lives per year who, without ORT, would have died. I also admire your commitment to the arts – to the joy and happiness — and insight — that music can bring to people. You yourself are a fantastic musician. You sang with Yale’s Whiffenpoofs and later directed them in reunions of their alumni groups. After retirement you went back to college and, mostly surrounded by 20-somethings, got a formal music degree. You’ve led many ensembles, vocal and jazz. You and Quincy are avid concertgoers. You have always sung in choirs and other ensembles. You have an amazing ear. I personally value singing in the Unitarian Choir with you and Quincy where our friendship grew. You are a hero Dr. Robert Northrup. And we are here to acknowledge that.

Presented by Don Duquette