Sierra Vistan Les Orchekowsky awarded Rotary International’s highest honor

The Sierra Vista Rotary Club was full of honored guests on Monday, but little did unsuspecting Rotarian, business owner, and longtime Sierra Vista resident Les Orchekowsky know they were there to honor him. Orchekowsky was presented with the “Service Above Self” award from Rotary International. The award is referred to as Rotary International’s highest honor for an individual and is only given to a maximum of 150 Rotarians worldwide annually. With over 500 districts and a million members, the competition for Rotary International’s award is steep.

Published in the Sierra Vista Herald May 13, 2019

SIERRA VISTA — The Sierra Vista Rotary Club was full of honored guests on Monday, but little did unsuspecting Rotarian, business owner, and longtime Sierra Vista resident Les Orchekowsky know they were there to honor him. Orchekowsky was presented with the “Service Above Self” award from Rotary International. The award is referred to as Rotary International’s highest honor for an individual and is only given to a maximum of 150 Rotarians worldwide annually. With over 500 districts and a million members, the competition for Rotary International’s award is steep.

Past District 5500 Gov. Phil Silvers presented the award to Orchekowsky during the Sierra Vista Rotary meeting. He said Orchekowsky was chosen because he has shown the spirit of service above self in his business, family life, and as an individual.

Silvers said, “When you need a job done, guess who gets a crane to the Forgach House? When you need a Grinch cup, guess who gets bright green Grinch cups ordered? Les.”

According to Rotary International, the purpose of the “Service Above Self” award is to recognize individual Rotarians who have demonstrated exemplary humanitarian service, in any form and at any level, with emphasis on personal volunteer efforts and active involvement in helping others through Rotary.

Orchekowsky said he was approached by a fellow business owner in 1992 to join Rotary. He initially declined, as he said he was too busy. His colleague returned not long after that and insisted he join the club. As Orchekowsky says, “The rest is history.”

Current Sierra Vista Rotary President Nancy Fusco said, “Les is the quiet Rotarian, but when he speaks, everyone listens. He has been a guiding influence in the Sierra Vista Rotary Club since 1993. He shares his Rotary knowledge and experience with all members. Les takes the time to listen. He makes people laugh. He unselfishly donates his time and goods to support club projects and is dedicated to The Rotary Foundation. I don’t know what the Sierra Vista Rotary Club would be without Les Orchekowsky.”

Orchekowsky said he had no idea he would be receiving such an honor and his initial reaction was one of humility.

“This is really an honor because I think there are so many more people with more qualifications,” he said.

Father Greg Adolf, pastor of St. Andrews, was invited to speak on the occasion. He said of Orchekowsky, “What a community builder he is. You build on foundations. The higher you want to build, the stronger those foundations have to be. (Les’ wife) Kathy and Les are foundational to this community.”

Adolf noted both Kathy and Les Orchekowsky try to stay out of the limelight, but “we would not be the community we are without them.”

Adolf shared that Les worked behind the scenes to diligently pioneer an effort for the rehabilitation of felons. He would give second and third chances to people in need of someone to guide them toward a better path.

Sara Arsenault, daughter of Les and Kathy Orchekowsky, was present for the award presentation.

“It was nice to hear such nice things said about him,” she said. “I know what he does for this community and Rotary plays such a big part of his life, but it’s great to see him recognized for all the work he does.”