Cliff Dochterman

Cliff Dochterman
"Real Happiness Is Helping Others"

Video of Cliff Dochterman Celebration of Life, held August 13, 2022

Dochterman, who was known for his lively sense of humor, ready smile, and positive outlook on life, served as RI president in 1992-93. An accomplished public speaker, he was recognized around the world as one of the premier spokespersons for Rotary.

Dochterman retired in 1990 after more than 40 years in higher education administration, including 20 years at the University of California, Berkeley, and almost two decades as executive vice president of the University of the Pacific in Stockton, California, USA.

Cliff earned the Eagle Scout award in l939 in the Central Ohio Council just before he reached his 14th birthday. He was President of the 49er Council (now the Greater Yosemite Council) from about l975 to l980. His son is also an Eagle Scout. Cliff was Camp Chief for the Western Region at the 1981 National Scout Jamboree at Fort A.P. Hill in Virginia and Assistant Chief at the 1977 Jamboree at Moraine State Park in Pennsylvania. He served on the Executive Board and several committees of the Western Region, BSA.

He was awarded three of the highest honors of the Boy Scouts of America, the Silver Beaver, Silver Antelope (1981) and Distinguished Eagle (1991) awards. Cliff was presented the Silver Wheel award of the International Fellowship of Scouting Rotarians in 2003.

Cliff also served as president of the Stockton Chamber of Commerce, and chairman of the San Joaquin County Parks and Recreation Commission.

For 45 years, Cliff Dochterman was a leader in Rotary International. He served on virtually every committee of Rotary, including Chairman of the original 3-H Committee, the New Horizons Committee, the Dreams of the Future committee, and the Strategic Planning Committee. He served as the Chairman of Rotary's Centennial Operations Committee, which planned the observances of RI's 100th Anniversary events culminating in 2005.

As the world President of Rotary International, he was honored and decorated by the heads of state of many nations for his personal contributions to goodwill and understanding in the world. Rotary International presented him with its Distinguished Service Award and the Polio Plus Pioneers Award for his humanitarian work throughout the world and his early leadership in creating the Polio Plus program. He authored the booklet, "The ABCs of Rotary."

From 1993 to 1999 he was a Trustee of The Rotary Foundation, and served as Chairman of The Rotary Foundation during 1997-98. He was chairman of Rotary 2001 Council on Legislation. As world president of Rotary, he created the theme, "Real Happiness Is Helping Others".

In 2005, the IFSR created the Cliff Dochterman Award for Rotarians serving Scouting. The Award honors Cliff Dochterman. Dr. Clifford L. Dochterman was presented with Cliff Dochterman Award Number One by IFSR Chairman David A Judge at RI Chicago Convention 2005.

Dochterman, a member of the Rotary Club of Moraga, California, joined Rotary in 1958. In addition to his term as president, he served as RI vice president and as Rotary Foundation trustee and trustee chair. He served on or chaired a number of committees and was chair of the 2001 Council on Legislation.

Dochterman was married to Dorothy Coset from 1954 until her death in 1987. In 1994, he married Mary Elena Washburn, who died in 2013. He is survived by two children, Claudia and Clifford Jr.; two stepdaughters, Elena and Karen; and six grandchildren.

Sadly, Cliff Dochterman passed away on November 23, 2021 at the age of 95. Cliff was able to write a message for his 2021 Christmas Cards, but, unfortunately, it was never sent out. For those interested, this message is available at Cliff's 2021 Christmas Message.

Video of Cliff Dochterman Celebration of Life, held August 13, 2022

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The Cliff Dochterman Award

The award for Rotarians serving Scouting is available through the IFSR, Executive Secretary.  The Award honors former RI President Cliff Dochterman, a devoted scouter from Moraga, California, USA.

It is with great pride and appreciation that the IFSR awards this recognition to exemplary Rotarians and Scouters in the name of Dr. Clifford L. Dochterman who was presented with Cliff Dochterman Award Number One by IFSR Chairman David A Judge at RI Chicago Convention 2005.

The Cliff Dochterman Award, a bronze medallion hung from a gold and blue ribbon, may be awarded by a local Rotary Club or District Governor to an active Rotarian who has rendered exemplary service to scouting.

Information and a nomination form are available HERE as a PDF document (requires Adobe Acrobat Reader), or from the IFSR-IAR Secretary at P.O. Box 19982, San Diego, CA 92159-0982, USA. 

*NOTE: The current nomination form is dated 2018. Cliff Dochterman Award Nomination Package editions dated before 2015 will no longer be accepted.

IFSR has awarded over 1,000 Cliff Dochterman Awards

That we have awarded so many underscores the quality of folks involved in Scouting and Rotary.

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BSA Uniform Wear

BSA recipients wear Rotary Pin with Community Service Knot

The Boy Scouts of America Relationships Committee has approved the wearing of the BSA Community Service Knot by Dochterman Award recipients who are members of the B.S.A.

Cliff Dochterman Award recipients that need additional knots or a replacement medal may use the order form available HERE as a PDF document.

Boy Scouts of America members wear their Rotary Pin with their Cliff Dochterman award uniform ribbon.

The BSA Community Service Award ribbon is used to recognize Scouters who are active in other sponsoring organizations. The one for Rotarians – through the International Fellowship of Scouting Rotarians – is the Cliff Dochterman award.

When you receive the Cliff Dochterman Award, you can wear the ribbon on your BSA uniform. And don’t forget to put onto the ribbon the very small (3/8”) Rotary pin – so Scouts and Scouters will know you are active in Rotary International. The 3/8” pin is available through our IFSR Executive Secretary Randy Seefeldt at $6 each plus postage. Contact Randy at ifsr@scoutingrotarians.org if you have any questions.

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RI President John Germ receives Cliff Dochterman Award

Two jewels for Rotary, Scouting and IFSR. Cliff Dochterman presents the CD Award to John Germ at the 2016 International Assembly in San Diego.

John F. Germ is the Rotary International President for 2016-17.

John is Chairman of the Board of Campbell & Associates, Inc., Consulting Engineers. He joined the firm as an engineer in 1965 after four years in the US Air Force. In Chattanooga, he has been active as the president of the Chamber of Commerce, Boy Scouts, Junior Achievement and campaign chairman of the United Way.

He also serves on the Board of Directors and Executive Committee of Orange Grove Center, Inc., University of Tennessee at Chattanooga School of Business Advisory Board, Executive Committee and Board of Directors Public Education Foundation, Treasurer CSTCC Foundation, Chairman Blood Assurance, Inc. and President of the Tennessee Jaycee Foundation.

He was recognized as Tennessee Young man of the Year for 1970, Engineer of the Year and is a recipient of the Boy Scouts Silver Beaver Award, Volunteer Fund Raiser of the Year in 1992, and is a recipient of the Arthritis Foundation Circle of Hope Award. He was recognized as the Tennessee Community Organizations Volunteer of the Year in 2009. The White House recognized him as a Champion of Change in 2013.

John joined Rotary in 1976 and has served R.I. as district governor, committee member, delegate to and Chairman of the Council on Legislation, task force zone and area coordinator, Aide to 2007-08 RI President, Chairman of the nominating committee 2011-12 , 2012-13 & 2014-15, International Assembly Training Leader (two years), Vice Chair of TRF Stewardship Committee, Chairman of TRF Investment Committee and TRF Finance Committee, Vice Chairman of the Bangkok Convention Committee, Chairman of Rotary’s U.S.$200 Million Challenge Committee from 1 December 2007 thru 30 June 2012, as well as 2014 Chairman for IPPC and an advisor to the RI Communications Committee.

He has received RI.’s Service Above Self Award and The Rotary Foundation’s Citation for Meritorious Service and Distinguished Service Award. He and his wife, Judy, are Benefactors and members of the Arch Klumph Society of the Rotary Foundation. They have four children and six grandchildren.

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BSA Chief Scout Exec. Wayne Brock receive Cliff Dochterman Award

When BSA Chief Scout Executive Wayne Brock addressed over 95 IFSR members at the 2013 BSA National Jamboree, he shared that when he became Chief Scout Executive, he went a step further and tracked down his own Scoutmaster from 50 years ago, found that he was still alive, and brought them to a national meeting as his guests to publicly thank them for what they did for him.

The IFSR World President Fred Brenner & International Commissioner Brian Thiessen presented the Chief with the Cliff Dochterman Award, recognizing his years of service as a Rotarian, his generosity to the Fellowship by allowing our displays at national meetings and the jamboree, and his decades of service to Scouting.

Chief Scout Executive Wayne Brock presented Cliff Dochterman award by International Commissioner Brian Thiessen and IFSR World President Fred Brenner.

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Last Updated: July 18, 2020