Memorial Resolution

PHIL PANKEY
June 23, 1929 – September 14, 2020
“Medical and Dental Billing”

Compiled and read by Steve Mast, November 12, 2020

Good afternoon family members of Phil Pankey, fellow Rotarians and guests.  We pause today to present this Memorial Resolution in memory and celebration of the life of our friend and fellow Rotarian, Phil Pankey.

Let me first recognize the family members and friends of Phil’s who have joined us today – Phil’s son Ralph Pankey, his wife Susan and daughter Tori, of Windsor, CO.  Phil’s daughter Jill Pankey Scheer and her husband Scott, of Littleton.  Scott’s father has been a long-time member of the Littleton Rotary Club.  Also joining us is our good friend Bob Martin who is a member and Past President of the Highlands Ranch Rotary Club.  Bob and his wife, our dearly departed Past President Sue Fox, were longtime friends of Phil’s.  As a matter of fact, Phil introduced Sue to our Club.

Phil was born in Harrisburg, Illinois.  He graduated from the University of Colorado with a B.S. in 1951 and an M.S. in 1956.  And on this Veteran’s day celebration it should be noted that Phil served in the Navy from 1953 to 1958 and as a Lieutenant Commander in the Naval Reserve until 1977.

He joined the Denver Rotary Club in 1958.  Phil was the founder, owner and President of the Medical Administration Company, a billing and accounting service for doctors and dentists. He sold his company in 1976.

In looking through Phil’s membership file I wasn’t surprised to see recommendation letters for Phil describing him as “a young man of sterling character and pleasing personality” & “a young, successful and very industrious worker on anything to which he sets his mind”.  And the Credit Bureau report that the Club got from the Associated Credit Bureaus of America stated that the “subject is well regarded by all informants”.  And I was pleased to see that he paid his “admission fee” of $100 and his first quarter’s dues of $25.96.

As many of you remember, in August 2018 we celebrated Phil’s 60 years of perfect attendance. Phil remained a member of Club 31 even after moving to Mexico where he actively participated and made up missed meetings at the Rotary Club of Manzanillo.

Of course, he could not celebrate 60 years of perfect attendance without first celebrating his 50-year anniversary with the Club in May 2008. Phil was a member of Rotary for a total of 62 years, was a Denver Rotary Club Foundation Fellow, a Rotary Foundation Paul Harris Fellow +1, and a contributor to our Club’s Centennial Project, The Player statue outside Coors Field. He was also a Club Board Director and a Club Secretary for President Pres Smith. In addition to serving on the Club board, Phil was also a board member for the Denver Athletic Club and was instrumental in forming our 35+ year meeting location with them.

In addition to Phil’s love and commitment to Rotary, he was also committed to the people and small businesses of Colorado when he served as the State representative for House District 38, Littleton from 1983 to 1998. During his tenure, Phil received the Law-Maker of the Year Award by For the Record Publication (1996), the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) Guardian of Small Business Award (1998), and in 2009 he received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Denver Athletic Club…just to name a few.  During one of his award presentations, it was mentioned, “Phil was chosen for his dedicated work standing up on behalf of the average citizen and against special interests”.  I met Phil through Denver Rotary.  When he was a House Representative, I fondly remember him hosting Darlene’s and my kids, Brian and Lauren on the House floor.  Phil let them sit in “his chair” and explained the political process to them both.

It was an honor to have known Phil and witnessed his dedication to Rotary and the good things we can do. He will be dearly missed by Rotary, in the Denver and the Manzanillo communities.

Madam President and fellow Rotarians, I move for the adoption of this Resolution for Phil Pankey by a standing vote of the membership and others present.

This Resolution was accepted by a standing vote of the members of
The Rotary Club of Denver and others via Zoom on November 12, 2020.​​​​​​​

Posted in Family of Rotary.