Because of the tremendous influence PDG Steve Stanfield had on District 6900 over the last several decades, it is hard to know where to begin to celebrate the man. Therefore, I believe the best way is to start at the beginning. Born February 19, 1947, Retired Army Lieutenant Colonel Stanfield spent 21 years honorably serving his country and was Honorably Discharged in 1990.

PDG Steve joined the Rotary Club of Americus attaining his Blue Badge on August 1, 1993. He had an immediate impact at the District level, as he was instrumental in creating the Sheffield Leadership Award in 1994. The prestigious award is presented annually to District 6900 Club Presidents by size category who best exemplify the extraordinary leadership traits represented by the Sheffield family.

PDG Stanfield was his club’s President in 1999-2000 and went on to serve his club as the Club Foundation Chair from 2016 to 2019 after having served District 6900 as an Assistant Governor from 2001 to 2004 and as District Secretary 2004-2005 before becoming the District Governor in 2006-2007. He was also the District Polio Plus Subcommittee Chair from 2008-2010 and was the District Polio Chair 2010-2011. In 2020-2021, he received the Decades of Service Award from his club. He was a 2^nd Tier Major Donor from Rotary International and multiple Paul Harris Fellow as well as making sure all his family carried the same designation. PDG Steve served the district for many years as the Chair of the Disaster Relief program and ensured his family were heavily involved in disaster relief activities. He also helped prepare group study exchange teams.

As District Governor his special project was enhancing the district on the awareness of polio. He dedicated his year, and for years after his term as District Governor, to raising money for the refurbishment of the Roosevelt swimming pool at Warm Springs as well as the update to the Polio room in the museum.  PDG Steve was also instrumental in the completion of the Anne Henderson Johnson House. The eradication of Polio was his passion. The culmination of that passion was realized as he received the prestigious Service Above Self Award for his outstanding contributions in so many areas in 2011.

PDG Steve Stanfield was an outstanding Rotarian, an outstanding human being and was a true friend to all he encountered throughout his 77 years. Please keep his wife Jeannie and son, daughter and his four grandchildren in your thoughts and prayers.