Al Storey
Emeritus – 1/28/2015
It is my great honor and pleasure today to present Al Storey, club member since June of 1965, as our newest Emeritus member. As a fifty year Rotarian, past president of this club, and accomplished professional, Al represents all that is best about Rotary.
Alfred W. Storey grew up in Clawson, Michigan, graduating from Clawson High School in 1939. The nation was still struggling to emerge from the Great Depression, and there was no opportunity at that time for Al to attend college. He went to work at the Ford Motor Company, first in the Trim Department, then as a clerk in the Payroll Department. Soon World War II drew him to serve his country – Al was a member of the Coast Guard for three and a half years, for much of that time a Radio School instructor. A fellow Coast Guardsman who had studied here at the University of Michigan convinced Al he should enroll after the war.
He did so, completing his undergraduate degree in three years. While working toward his Ph.D. which he earned in 1953, he taught public speaking and coached debate at Eastern Michigan University. He then became a member of the Department of Speech Communication here at the University of Michigan, sharing an office in those years with Bill Stegath. You can imagine the many corny jokes and painful puns that bounced around that room.
Al was appointed to the staff of the university’s Extension Service in 1960. By 1971 he had become its Director. Its mission was to coordinate courses offered off campus throughout the state and by correspondence, and to provide leadership and support for conferences sponsored by various units of the university. While engaged in this important work Al served as a trustee of Adrian College, on the legislative assembly of the Speech Association of America, on the University’s Academic Affairs Advisory Council and on its Broadcasting Committee.
Al tells me that in high school and the Coast Guard he played “a little basketball.” You may not know that he continues to play half-court basketball at the IM building with men decades younger than he. In 1990 he was drafted to the Michigan Senior Olympics basketball team that came home with a gold medal from the 1991 national competition. Al has also won medals in Senior Olympics volleyball and a gold medal in racquetball in 1997. He is a championship paddleball player and for thirty seven years was a catcher in fast-pitch then slow-pitch softball leagues in Ann Arbor.
He continues each summer to play in two golf leagues. Having played golf with Al, I can tell you that he plays the game as an exemplary gentleman.
Margaret and Al, married for sixty-five years, have three children, Scott, Kent and Lynn. Recipient of the club’s Distinguished Service Award in 2004, Paul Harris Fellow, mentor to club presidents, distinguished professional, loyal Michigan man, faithful family man and member of Tom Brokaw’s Greatest Generation – Al embodies the Four Way Test.
Al, while we look forward to seeing you here for a good long time, please accept your Emeritus membership with our warmest and heartfelt congratulations.
(Presentation by Dave McDowell)
