Earlier this year, the Board of Directors of both our Club and the San Francisco Rotary Foundation (SFRF) nominated Scott Plakun as the next Bru Brunnier Fellow. Scott was approved once the requirements were met and was honored at the Holiday Party and Annual Meeting on December 17, 2024 when SFRF President Christopher presented the plaque to Scott. Keeping this a secret from Scott was a challenge, but we managed to do so until the day that the award was presented to him.
Scott joined our Club in 1992. He has served as Club President, as Vice President of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, and on the Board multiple times. Scott manages our Club's technology and was the Grindings Editor for five years until 2020. He has been a mentor to many new and continuing members. We are truly grateful for all that Scott has done for our Club and Rotary. He is most deserving of this honor.
History of this Award
Henry J. "Bru" Brunnier was a charter member of the Rotary Club of San Francisco. He went on to become our Club President from 1913-1914 and Rotary International President from 1952-1953. Known throughout the world as an industrial engineer, Bru designed San Francisco's Bay Bridge and structures in San Francisco, including the Russ, Standard Oil, Shell, Federal Reserve, Clift Hotel, Masonic Temple, and Zellerbach Buildings. He was a construction consultant for the U.S. Army and Navy during World Wars I and II.
Bequests made by Bru and his wife of 63 years, Ann, were instrumental in founding the SFRF, which currently has an endowment of several million dollars. In 1980, our Club and the SFRF established the Bru Brunnier Fellow as the highest joint award of recognition for exceptional service to the cause of Rotary.
Read here for more information on PRIP Bru Brunnier, the Bru Brunnier Fellowship, and the list of Fellows.
Scott Plakun and SFRF President Christopher Wiseman