Wednesday, July 2, 1980

Cedar Falls Kiwanis Rough Risers Charter Their Club

A group of men in the Cedar Valley wanted a new type of service club to give to give back to the citizens, a better community. They decided that the Kiwanis service organization matched with their goals so they decided to start a chapter.

On June 4, 1980, a charter was issued for Cedar Falls Kiwanis Rough Risers. We had not actually met as a club yet, but this was issued anyway. We had 25 members. Most of these members being educators, they realized that if they met at 6:30 AM, they could have an hour meeting with enough time left to get to school on time for first period - hence the name "Rough Risers."

Below is a photo taken at the Rough Risers' Charter Night on July 2 at the Cedar Falls Woman's Club House.  We were fortunate to be joined by many members of the Kiwanis Club of Cedar Falls (not in photo.)



Members are all enthusiastic in helping serve our communities, kids, and our schools.  We all give generously in our time and talents toward that goal. Lifetime friendships with like-minded individuals along with just having fun is an added benefit.


This was the original Kiwanis Rough Risers Chapter Charter issued to the Club on June 4, 1980. The ceremony was held at the Cedar Falls Women’s Club with all the new members, spouses, and dignitaries on July 2, 1980.

Friday, June 6, 1980

Even Before the Charter . . . Kiwanis Club of CF Bulletin:June 6

Even before the Kiwanis Rough Risers had their first meeting or earned their first charter, the Cedar Falls Kiwanis (evening) Club wrote about us in their weekly bulletin.  This is their June 6, 1980, bulletin where they were nice enough to list the 21 members who were interested in attending the Rough Risers' initial meeting on July 2nd, 1980.

You may recognize more names but I see some of the members who are still part of the Rough Risers in 2018: Dean Dreyer, Marvin Heller, Rober Nelson, and Nick Tieg.  The list a few other ex-members - Jerry Skykhuis, Gilbert Hewitt, and Dave Christensen.

Which do you know? Add a story about some of these past members in the comments section below.


You will see that they continued to report on our beginning over the next few weeks.  They will be included in some following posts.

Written by Leigh Zeitz