Mel Hollinger (1990-1991)

Melvin Hollinger was born, June 11th 1916, in Rupert, Idaho to Warren and Agnes Hollinger. He grew up knowing the value of hard work - tending the farm with his brothers and sisters. He told stories of ice skating to school in the winters, and showing his champion dairy cows in the summers.

As a young college student, Mel’s summers were spent working for the cannery in Dayton Washington, where he met the love of his life, Wilma Lucille Winnett. The two were married in 1938 and he graduated shortly after with a teacher’s degree in Agriculture from the University of Idaho.

While never the star athlete, there was one exception. Melvin was a decorated boxer and carried his appreciation for the sport throughout his life. Mel and Wilma came to Blaine in 1939 to make their home and raise their family.

There he began his first profession as a teacher for the Blaine school district. Mel remained an educator for 17 years, while taking on additional jobs at Alaska Packers, and beginning his work as an inventor and carpenter.

In the 1940s, the war meant a ban on new metal toys and machines and Mel the inventor was born. Always seeing an opportunity, Mel opened a woodworking, welding, and manufacturing shop where he built and repaired bicycles, toys, and machines from found and recycled scraps to support his growing family.

He was always a goal setter, and carried an innate desire to rise to the top. Mel embarked on his next profession in 1957, when he left his teaching tenure to pursue his real estate career as a broker and developer full time. Mel Hollinger Realty quickly became a recognized name throughout Whatcom County. Mel and Wilma were builders of Blaine. Through their unselfish devotion and dedication they left Blaine and Whatcom County a better place for generations to come.

Mel was a charter member of Whatcom North Rotary, and Paul Harris Fellow and served as District Governor in 1990-91.

To encourage Rotarians to visit clubs on both sides of the border, Mel created the "Mel Hollinger Traveling Peace Arch". When Mel was installed as District Governor in 1990 he implemented the program with the following words:

"This Peace Arch is a symbol of friendship between our two countries. The object is to encourage us to travel back and forth across the border to neighbouring clubs to visit and enjoy Rotary. It must not sit on one side of the border for long periods of time."

When the Traveling Peace Arch was delivered to a club, the receiving club would then deliver it to another club on the other side of the border. Clubs received points for the speed of the delivery, the distance travelled and the number of club members delivering it.

Mel was generous to charities, including the Rotary Foundation. He offered to match points for donations, was a Major Donor and became a member of the Arch Klumph Society (recognizing donors who contribute $250,000 or more to the Rotary Foundation).

In addition to his local work, Mel’s foundations provided medical relief, vaccinations, and micro-lending opportunities for communities in need across the globe.

As an historian, Rotarian, and world traveler, Mel’s curiosity and philanthropy took him around the world. In his final days, Mel remarked, "I always wanted to see the world. And I did."

A self-professed eternal student, Mel was always eager to learn more and cultivate his many interests. His passion for photography, gardening, and technology took him into his 99th year.

But without a doubt, Mel’s proudest accomplishment yet, is the family he built and the love he shared. Mel and Wilma were devoted parents who raised six daughters: Ardene, Clarene, Fontene, Shirlene, Marlene, and Darlene. Mel watched his family grow from 6 daughters, to 14 grandchildren, to 19 great grandchildren, and to 10 great-great grandchildren.

Mel passed away on September 25, 2015.