Ellwood Titcomb
The Rotary Club of DeLand, through its Ellwood Titcomb Fund, presented a check for $10,000 to the DeLand Naval Air Station Museum on April 22, 2017.
This gift was awarded in memory of longtime Rotary member Ellwood A. Titcomb, who had bequeathed $10,000 to the Rotary Club of DeLand when he passed away. Ellwood was the first President of the DeLand Naval Air Station Museum, a WWII Veteran, President of the Rotary Club of DeLand 1988-89, a Paul Harris Fellow, and a member of Rotary International Foundation’s Bequest Society.
Seeking a way to re-invest this money in the community, the Rotary Club of DeLand’s Board of Directors wanted to use the funds to promote community values, help preserve our community’s history, encourage education about our country and community, honor veterans, and ensure that Ellwood and his family would appreciate and approve of the selection. After several years of research and deliberation, it was decided that the DeLand Naval Air Station Museum fit all the criteria perfectly.
Participating in the presentation ceremony were Ellwood’s wife Sandy and son Kent, Rotary Club of DeLand President Steve Burk, President Elect Eric Nompleggi, Treasurer Elyse Philips and Executive Secretary Ed Denston as well as several other Rotarians. Gloria Denston reminisced about Ellwood, citing his dedication, enduring legacy and adherence to Rotary’s motto: Service Above Self.
The DeLand Naval Air Station Museum was founded twenty-two years ago. One of the first donations received to save the building as a military museum was from the Rotary Club of DeLand. Our Rotarians continue to appreciate the role that the Deland Naval Air Station Museum plays in “commemorating the men and women who have served in America’s armed conflicts.”
The Rotary Club of DeLand’s financial award will be used to expand the DeLand Naval Air Station Museum thus providing space for military memorabilia displays, educational programs, meetings and the museum’s administrative office. The building will be constructed by Volunteers with the support of the City of DeLand, the Ronald Herman Family, All Quality Products, the Rotary Club of DeLand, Bechtol Engineering and other Community Partners.