Cal Litwiller, District Governor

Cal grew up on a farm in southeast Iowa, rural Wellman, Iowa, youngest of three boys. After graduating from Iowa Mennonite High School he received a B.S. in Biology from Eastern Mennonite College, Harrisonburg, VA. The following year, Cal received his Masters Degree in education from the University of Iowa. His 38-year career in science education, teaching Biology, Chemistry and Physics, has taken him to the American School of The Hague, Netherlands for three school years, before moving to Mt Pleasant Community High School in 1977 where they still reside. During this time period Cal has had several Student Teachers, been department chair for the past 20 years and been a mentor to a new teacher in the school district. The time spent in Holland initiated the Litwiller's enjoyment of adventure travel, which has taken them to six continents.

Cal has been nominated by former students to Who's Who Among America's Teachers for each of the past ten years. In addition to his classroom responsibilities Cal has been the "Voice of the Panthers" for Mt Pleasant High School athletic events since 1978, as well as emceeing the local Show Choir invitational and Jr.-Sr. Prom Promenade. In 2003 Cal received the "Award for Excellence in Public Address Announcing" from the Iowa High School Athletic Assoc. as well as similar awards from numerous Mt Pleasant Athletic organizations. In 2006, Cal was presented the 2006-07 Wal-Mart Teacher of the Year Award.

Cal and Rachel met while in High School and have been married 42 years. They have two children, Cherie (an educator; Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emerits) and Tony (Pharmacist, Regional Sales Director; Charlotte, NC) and daughter-in-law Madeline.

Rachel's profession has included managing a HUD subsidized housing project, interior decorating, and managing rental properties.

Both Cal and Rachel have been active in their local United Methodist Church, serving on various committees. Rachel has served on the Board of Trustees, Chaired the Administrative Council, and Chaired the development and implementation of a Permanent Endowment Fund. She is also a member of the local PEO chapter, as well as the Mentor and Questers Clubs. Cal has served on various committees and has been in the church choir when time allows.

Cal and Rachel are both Rotarians. Cal became a member of the Mt. Pleasant Evening Rotary Club in l991, serving as Club President l993-94 and Assistant Gov. 1998-2001. Rachel joined Rotary in l998, serving as Club President 2002-03 and Assistant Governor 2005-09. Cal has served on the District World Community Service Committee for ten years and as Chair last five years, as well as being on the District Simplified Grant Committee for the last three years. He has served on the District 6000's Nomination committee for three years as well as two terms on the Rotary Friendship Exchange Committee, of which Rachel is now a member.

Cal and Rachel are multiple Paul Harris Fellows, making their family a Paul Harris family. They also have designated Rotary to be a Benefactor in their estate.

Hobbies for Rachel include gardening, traveling and decorating. For Cal they are photography, taking care of honeybees, and enjoying the 10 RAGBRAI's he has ridden.

Rotary is always included in the Litwiller's travel plans, wherever they go. They have visited Rotary clubs in Bahrain, Newfoundland, Iceland, New Zealand, Holland, India, Nigeria, Alaska and Canada's Northwest Territory. They were on a District 6000 Friendship Exchange to New Zealand in l996 and hope to go on many more. In 2006 they traveled to India and in 2008 they traveled to India and Nigeria, visiting Rotary Clubs and looking at Matching Grant projects funded by District 6000.