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”.
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 (now 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.