The Rotary International motto “Service Above Self” could describe the life motto of Dr. Robert Poole, who is being honored by the Rotary Club of West Chester on his 60th year as a Rotarian. The coronavirus has negated a festive gathering in his honor, so members have been sending Poole messages of congratulations all month long. Poole, 92, who came to West Chester in 1955 to begin practicing family medicine, joined the West Chester Rotary in 1960. Active on several committees, club president, District Interact Chair, and District 7450 Governor, he was trained at Rotary Internationals Headquarters for the new PolioPlus initiative in the 1980’s. He served as PolioPlus USA Committee vice chairman for six years in the 90’s, in addition to providing USA Healthcare Reform Testimony at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, MD, was the International President’s Representative to district conferences, and traveled worldwide to many Rotary International Conventions.
 
In the community, he has worked with the West Chester Area Day Care Center, West Goshen Cooperative Kindergarten, and Henderson High School. He has been a member of and held numerous positions from 1955 until the present in the American Medical Assn., Pennsylvania and Chester County Medical Societies, and served on the Chester County Hospital staff, board of directors and many hospital committees. He served in leadership positions with the United Fund of West Chester and Pennsylvania, at Westminster Presbyterian Church, where he has been a member since 1955, and was integral in establishing Brian’s Run, an annual race to financially support disabled young people.     
 
We look forward to celebrating with Dr. Poole in person in the future, but for now, virtual accolades!!!