Reading PA Rotary - First President of the Rotary Club of Reading

Mention should be made of the man who probably was most influential in bringing Rotary to Reading in 1913. William W. Keck, the first President of our club, brought the Rotary idea to Reading from Harrisburg where there had been a Rotary Club since 1911. Bill was one of the original partners in the firm of Croll and Keck, clothiers, a man of high ideals, and a great influence in Reading in bringing business men together for the betterment of the community. His business slogan was "Always Reliable," foreshadowing by some years the ethical standards now subscribed to by Rotary under its vocational service avenue. Bill Keck also organized the Merchants’ Bureau and the Automobile Club of which he was president for many years