SIR History

The Sons in Retirement Damian Reynolds Branch No. One was named after Damian Reynolds, who was a retired engineer from Columbia Steel Company, and who conceived of the idea in the spring of 1958. He shared his ideas with his three retired friends, Claus J. Hink, Lorenz H. Hansen, and Wallace B. Plummer, which resulted in the founding of Sons in Retirement. The club had its first luncheon meeting at the former Clarimar Restaurant in downtown San Mateo near where Draeger’s is now located on June 23, 1958, which consisted of the four retired men. At the incorporation, the four founders posed for a black and white picture in business suits. They discussed the organization, preparation of working rules and regulations, and the decision to make the club a monthly luncheon club. Nine Charter Members attended the first General Luncheon Meeting on July 23, 1958. Eighteen members attended the second General Luncheon Meeting on August 20, 1958. The charter for Sons in Retirement was approved on February 3, 1959, and it was incorporated on July 3, 1963. The first meeting of Branch One at the San Mateo Elks Club was held on April 14, 1959. From this beginning, the idea grew. Today, the SIR’s organization has grown to more than 26,000 members with 168 branches in 2004. Sons in Retirement, Inc. and its branches operate throughout Northern and Central California.

Why “S I R?

On the second meeting of Branch One on August 12, 1958 which was held in Mr. Reynold’s home, the original eighteen members, called The Founders Executive Committee, decided on a suitable name for the Club. The following suggestions were proposed and considered:

  • Ancient and Honorable Sons of Rest
  • Work Dodgers Luncheon Club
  • Faithful Old Fellows
  • The Honey Dewers
  • Fellow Oldsters
  • Young Oldsters
  • Restful Sons
  • League of Aimless Fellows (LOAF)
  • Sons in Retirement (SIR)

On August 20, 1958, the name “Sons in Retirement” was adopted as the official name by the eighteen members that were present at the second meeting of the club, primarily because it could be abbreviated to the acronym “SIR”. It is a salutation when used with a person’s name that indicates maturity and respect. It is a title that seemed to give dignity and respect. From this point, it was a short step to designate the top officer of the club as “Big Sir” and the second in command as “Little Sir”.

The Symbol of the Sons in Retirement:

The Corporation’s copyrighted insignia is the Rooster, or more appropriately called “The Golden Chanticleer”. As quoted by Damian Reynolds, “Of all the creatures on earth, none expresses independence and dignity with more sureness and aplomb than the rooster. The majesty of his presence is felt in every barnyard, and when he crows, he can be heard for miles, not in a fainthearted crow, but with a noise that calls attention to his being”.

SIR Original Logo

The founders chose the rooster as the official logo to represent the freedom he displays around the barnyard. We have paid our dues in the business world, and now is the time for us to strut and crow a little.

We share the dignity of retirement with one another as members of SIR.

Past Big Sirs

There is no greater service to the community than to have served as Big Sir of Sons in Retirement. Each SIR has actually donated at least two years of his time in overseeing the operations of SIR Branch One: i.e. one year as Little Sir and one year as Big Sir. The branch would have closed down long ago were it not for the timely efforts of these gentlemen.

Meetings

Over the years, the Program Chairman has done an outstanding job in finding outstanding speakers for the SIR’s General Meetings. In the field of sports, for example, the members had been entertained by All-American college and pro footballer Joe Kapp (remember “The Play” in the Big Game, with Cal scoring after five laterals!) And by John Ralston, Coach of Stanford (even though a U. C. alumnus) and consultant to the 49’ers.

In politics, the members had been entertained by Quentin Kopp (later Superior Court Judge Kopp) . . . and State Senator Jackie Speier (later US Congresswoman Speier) . And from Broadway By The Bay (formerly Peninsula Civic Light Opera) singers and dancers have regaled us with highlight show tunes, especially at Christmas time.

Yearly History Reports

At the end of each year, the Branch One Historian publishes a report on the history of Branch One meetings and activities for the year in which he was Historian. The input for the various activities are furnished by the Chairman of each of these activities. Click on any of the Yearly Histories below to review it.

2020 History

2019 History

2018 History

2017 History

2016 History

2015 History

2014 History

2013 History

2012 History

2011 History

2010 History

2009 History

2008 History

2007 History

2006 History

2005 History

2004 History

2003 History

2002 History

2001 History (not found)

2000 History

1999 History

1998 SIR’s 40th Anniversary

1998 History

1997 History

1996 History

1995 History

1994 History

1993 History

1992 History

1991 History

1990 History

1989 History

1988 History

1987 History

1986 History

1985 History

1984 History

1983 History (SIR’s 25th Anniversary)

YES SIR newsletter 1983 SIR’s 25th Anniversary

1982 History

1981 History

1980 History

1979 History

1978 History

1977 History

1976 History

1975 History

1974 History

1973 History

1972 History

1971 History

1970 History

1969 History

Founding through 1968 History

Historic Documents

Some historic documents of Damian Reynolds SIR Branch One are posted here for posterity:

02/12/1964 Charter (acknowledges organized 07/23/1958)

02/11/1959 Articles of Incorporation (B/W)

02/11/1959 Articles of Incorporation (Grayscale)

03/21/1962 Invitation to inaugural luncheon Southern Peninsula Branch

06/16/1963 Articles of Incorporation (2nd version, filed 07/03/1963, recorded 07/26/1963)

02/10/1965 Articles of Incorporation revision (filed 02/19/1965, recorded 02/25/1965) includes IRS correspondence

12/05/1970 Letter from Secretary S S Mayo to Big Sir Brice pertaining to 02/10/1965 Articles of Incorporation and IRS correspondence

08/12/1970 Articles of Incorporation revised name Damian Reynolds Branch No 1 Inc (filed 09/01/1970 recorded 01/14/1971)

01/23/1963 Recommended revision of existing By-Laws

01/21/1963 approx. undated draft revision of existing By-Laws

01/10/1962 By-Laws revised draft

undated By-Laws

04/30/1962 Legal Adviser transmittal including synopsis and revised By-Laws

01/15/1971 Corporate Data per Secretary S S Mayo

03/01/1973 data for Treasurer from Secretary S S Mayo

01/24/1961 Congressional Record Story of Founding of SIRs Hon. J. Arthur Younger

1969 Redwood City Tribune editorial SIR Spreading Like Wildfire

11/27/1963 report to Executive Board

02/04/1963 Executive Board report to membership