PUNTA GORDA — David Powell was stunned as he was honored with the Rotary Club Lifetime Achievement award.
"Rotary is part of my life, I've been in it forever," said the 91-year-old whose been a Charlotte Harbor Rotary Club member since 1987. "I was surprised about the award because I view everything we do as a group. So it's a group award."
Powell was recently honored for his dedication and leadership at a ceremony by his longtime friend Stephen Carter. They've volunteered hundreds of hours at events and made lots of memories together.
As a club, they've held car shows, rummage sales, fishing tournaments and bazaars. The club participates in airshows, block parties, bell ringing for the Salvation Army and much more.
After moving to Charlotte County in 1983, Powell worked at Fishermen's Village Realty. He bought the company in 1988 and renamed it Prudential Village Realty.
On June 1, 1987, Powell joined the Charlotte Harbor Rotary Club. In time he would become a sustaining member. He served as the club president, secretary, treasurer and director. He was also on the scholarship, membership and fundraising committees.
He received the Paul Harris Fellow award for donating $1,000 to The Rotary Foundation to help with advanced study and ambassadorial scholarships.
Carter said Powell had a successful business career, was the Charlotte County Chamber of Commerce president in 1990 and served on the Florida Gulf Coast University site selection committee in 1991.
"He was instrumental in the start of Florida Gulf Coast University," Carter said. "He made the deal with Ben Hill Griffin Jr. for the land for FGCU."
In 1993, he was on the FGCU founding board of directors. In 1999-2000, he chaired the FGCU Foundation board.
Giving high school seniors the opportunity to go to college through Rotary scholarships is something the Rotary club has done for years, Powell said.
"Kids need to go to college," he said. "We help them begin their careers."
1n 1993, Powell became president of the Realtors of Punta Gorda-Port Charlotte-North Port–DeSoto, Inc. In 2010, he joined the Sun newspapers as publisher of the Feeling Fit weekly magazine.
He was later the managing partner at Zypha from 2015-2022.
Powell said Rotary helped him give back to the community.
He became a trustee on the Cultural Center of Charlotte County board and a director and later the board president.
He is a past president of Economic Development Council and United Way board member.
"Knowing you are doing something good with a bunch of people who are your friends gives a sense of community and helping others," he said.
The club meets 7 a.m. on Tuesday at IHOP, 1789 Tamiami Trail, Port Charlotte. They are always looking for more members.
Carter said Powell always lives the Rotary 4-Way Test — is it the truth? Is it fair to all concerned? Will it build goodwill and better friendships? Will it be beneficials to all concerned?
"He is the perfect example of service above self," Carter said. "He has been a mentor to many and fantastic Rotarian and I’m proud to call him friend."
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