In November of 1910, Omaha businessman Tom O'Brien received a letter from Lee Mettler, First Vice President of the National Association of Rotary Clubs and President of the Rotary Club of Kansas City, Missouri, asking Tom to set up a meeting with some prominent businessmen from the Omaha businessman area the following month, and he, Chesley Perry, secretary of the Association, and a few others would come and talk to them about establishing a Rotary Club in Omaha. 

O’Brien was interested in the idea, and had more 20 on hand for the meeting with Mettler, Perry, Herbert Angester of Chicago, a member of the Commission that organized the Association and later President of Chicago, Rotary/One, and a delegation from the Lincoln, Nebraska, Rotary Club headed by F. C. "Dad" Phillips. A formal resolution that proposed the organization of the club was adopted at this meeting after being presented by O’Brien. 

However, it took several trips to Omaha by Phillips, a plumber, and seven months, before the Rotary Club of Omaha was founded on August 11, 1911. It was finally affiliated with the National Association of Rotary Clubs in February of 1912, making it club #37. There were 75 charter members. Phillips has been credited with founding the Lincoln club and the organizing force behind Omaha. 

The first active, elected president was Frank I. Ellick. The first secretary was George Duncan. The first challenge of the club was the “Tornado of 1913.” On Easter Sunday, March 23, 1913, a tornado touched down on the streets of Omaha.

In its wake were blocks and blocks of leveled houses and devastation, with 154 dead and more than 3,000 homeless.

Among the dead was George Duncan. Ellick devoted the club to helping the city recover, and he was its most tireless worker. Unfortunately, he did tire, became seriously ill, and never recovered. less than two years later he passed away. 

The other club activities were primarily of a social nature, and aimed at improving morale and a positive business atmosphere. But, in 1916, club President E.C. Henry steered the club on a proactive path of community service beginning with supporting the inception of the Boy Scout movement in Omaha.

As the club has grown over the years, so has the diversity of its service efforts. Our 400 members participate in activities guided by a number of service committees. These committees support activities ranging from Christmas tree recycling to college scholarships. 

Although supporting our members and community is an important part of the club's mission, our charter also considers the world at large to be part of our community. Operation Hypocrites, founded in the 1970's to provide medical support to children in the country of Belize, is an example of our Club extending its involvement to the world at large.

Doug Rudman

History of the Rotary Club of Omaha No. 37, Golden Anniversary Edition, published in 1961