Salem, VA—Given each year by the Salem Rotary Club, the Roy W. Hendrickson Outstanding Citizen of the Year Award was bestowed to Rotarian Denise “Dee” Phlegar King of Salem at the Salem Civic Center during the Club’s weekly meeting on Thursday, September 3, 2020 at the Salem Civic Center. Her husband Judge M. Fredrick King was present at the occasion. He has inspired her in all her leadership endeavors forever reassuring her she could do anything she strived for in her life.
“The award is given to an individual who has throughout their professional and community life worked voraciously and humbly to make the world a better place,” said Club President Jeffrey Howard. He thanked Dee for serving the Club as a former board of director, former club secretary, volunteer chair of Olde Salem Days Committee, Vice-Chair of the Program Committee and Food Chair, Christmas for Kids Committee.
Rotarian Edward W. Lautenschalger imparted to the audience: “Dee epitomizes the two Rotary commandments: ‘Service above Self’ and the altruistic duty to do good in the world. She has been a lifelong friend. We have traveled the world together and attended First United Methodist Church in Salem where Dee teaches me in her adult Sunday school, is a member of Circle 9, and was the past president of the United Methodist Women.”
CEO of Lewis Gale Lance Jones conversed about Dee’s service to the hospital board, where she is a past chair of the board and a member of the Bio Ethics Committee. He illustrated one of her many fortes as being able to help her fellow board members navigate difficult issues and come to consensus. She also made rounds throughout the hospital so that the staff would know firsthand that the board has their support and understanding of their vital work.
Rotarian R. Carey Harveycutter described Dee’s involvement for over 20 years with the Salem Roanoke County of Chamber of Commerce. “In the 1990s, she was member of the board, executive committee, second vice president, first vice president, Charter President and is a past president of the Chamber. She has rejoined the board and been a dynamic member of the executive committee for the last four years. Dee is a willing volunteer and is presently serving as the chair of the annual awards breakfast. She frequents numerous ribbon cutting ceremonies and is always available to meet with Salem businesses to encourage their participation and membership in the Chamber. Dee has also served as the inaugural president of the Salem Roanoke County Chamber of Commerce Foundation and has been passionate about foundation programs and is a tremendous advocate for Chamber programs and causes.”
Her vocational certifications include being a certified instructor for Virginia Continuing Education in the field of Title and a Charter President of the Roanoke Valley Paralegal Association. She also serves the Paralegal Degree program of the National College.
As a Salem resident, she was a former member of the court appointed City of Salem Board of Real Estate Equalization, Vice Chair of City of Salem Planning Commission, Member of Roanoke Valley Greenway Commission and Secretary of the Commission’s Executive Board, Member of Salem Historical Society, and Past Co-Chair of American Cancer Society of Roanoke Valley’s Relay for Life Salem site.
Humbled and honored by this award Dee continues to find ways she can serve Rotary and her community and our world.
Photos:
Brothers Paul and Mark W. Hendrickson Present Denise (Dee) Phlegar King the Roy W. Hendrickson Outstanding Citizen of the Year Award 2020 at Salem Rotary Club