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Jeffrey Marxen, MD. A man of great energy and spirit died on the evening of February 23, 2012, in an, as yet unexplained, motorcycle accident. We will never forget his keen sense of humor, great laugh, the twinkle in his eye and his loving attitude. Jeff will be remembered as a devoted husband, loving father, and great friend to many. Dr. Marxen was known as a highly skilled orthopedic surgeon who loved what he did, always sought perfection and cared for each of his patients.

Dr. Marxen was born on April 2, 1951 in Lakewood, Ohio to Dr. Norman Marxen and Mrs. Marilyn Marxen Molyoka. He was a graduate of Culver Military Academy, the University of Toledo, and the Medical College of Ohio. Upon completion of his orthopedic residency at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, Michigan, Dr. Marxen moved to San Diego to set up an orthopedic practice, with a focus on joint replacement.

Jeff made many contributions to his profession and his community. Jeff served as Chief of Orthopedics and Chairman of the Medical Records Committee at Sharp Grossmont Hospital after presiding as president of the San Diego chapter of the Western Orthopedic Association.

Jeff loved and enjoyed a full life, living each day as his last. Jeff never lacked for an opinion and was eager to debate the virtues of just about any subject. He enjoyed participating in men's softball leagues, tennis, golf, skiing and basketball. He was an active member of the La Mesa Rotary and served in multiple positions including president. He played the coronet and trumpet with the Acme Rhythm and Blues band as well as in the Sharp Grossmont Hospital's band, Soul Purpose.

Jeff is survived by his wife Dr. Annette Conway Marxen, his children Philip, Jeffrey, and Marissa and step-children Sean and Todd Conway.

Ernest G. Pero, Jr., passed away Tuesday, February 21, 2012. Ernie served twice as President of the Lemon Grove Rotary Club. In 2004-2005 Ernie served as President of Distict Council and was known thoughout the District for his wonderful invocations. Please see the Web Link for Service information.

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Russ spoke words of praise of Ernie Pero at the memorial service last week to many nods of agreement in the audience.

Russ concluded his tribute with familiar words Ernie frequently used to conclude his invocation at club meetings. "Father we thank you for letting us be Rotarians so we can do some of your work here on earth. We pray that on that day,when we stand before you in judgement, we will hear you say, "Rotarian, Rotarian, with you I am well pleased"

For the complete tribute use link below.

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Dr. Terry Tanaka, long time member of Chula Vista Rotary has received an award for his work in Mexico as reported in the following excerpted article:

Dental Heroes: Dr. Terry Tanaka

By Donna Domino, Features Editor

January 3, 2012 -- For California dentist Terry Tanaka, DDS, the quest to establish a clinic in Mexico to treat poor children with cleft palates began with a 5-year-old boy who was brought by his mother to a Mexicali clinic in 1977.

"He put up such a fuss that I didn't think I would be able to make an impression that day," Dr. Tanaka recalled. The boy was born with a cleft of his hard and soft palate.

But after Dr. Tanaka gave the young patient half of his sandwich, the boy's demeanor completely changed. "He reached into his pocket and pulled out a piece of a half-eaten cookie with lint all over it and gave it to me, along with a big hug," he said. "To this day, I have the memory of that cookie to remind me of why I go on these trips to Mexico."

Terry Tanaka, DDS, was honored with the 2011 CDA Foundation Humanitarian Award for his decades of work treating thousands of Mexican children with cleft palate and related conditions.

Over the last 30 years, thousands of children have been treated by the dental and surgical teams Dr. Tanaka has organized.

Rev. Gordon Jefferson Baker was known as a one-man welcome wagon at Pilgrim United Church of Christ in Carlsbad where he served as pastor for 17 years from 1964 to 1981 and later as Pastor Emeritus.

"One of the remarkable things about him was his love of people--no one could visit Pilgrim without a sense of his caring--they knew they had a friend there," said Rev. Madison Shockley, current pastor of Pilgrim.

Rev. Baker died of heart failure on July 2 at the age of 95.

The year after he retired, Baker became a tutor at the Carlsbad Literacy Center that his late wife, Betty, founded in 1971. He was known as "Mr. Betty Baker" from the days when he drove the family van to the Carlsbad barrio to take folks to literacy classes at the church. He taught English to hundreds of people over several decades and served as director of the Carlsbad Literacy Center from 1993 to May this year.

"He was interested in how literacy would change the lives of his students," said Bob Laubach, whose father Frank, founded Laubach Literacy International, which merged with Literacy Volunteers of America in 2002 to form ProLiteracy.

Rev. Baker organized the national conference for Laubach Literacy in San Diego in 1988 drawing a record attendance and served on the boards of a number of literacy groups, including Laubach Literacy Action and California Literacy. In the late 1960s, he served as chairman of the MiraCosta Advancement Council, which established the college's Medal of Honor student awards.

"Whenever Gordon took on responsibility, he gave his heart and soul to each endeavor," said Peter Waite, executive vice president of ProLiteracy.

As pastor, he was responsible for eight building projects at four churches, including three at Pilgrim; a sanctuary built in 1967, a children's center in 1973 and preschool and administration buildings in 1980.

Rev. Baker, a resident of Carlsbad for 47 years and 2004 Carlsbad Citizen of the Year, served as the first chairman of the City's Housing Advisory Board in the 1960s, and worked to establish housing for low-income residents and later, for migrant workers, a number of whom came to the literacy center.

"His mission was world-wide, and we had people of different races and cultures in our extended family," said his daughter, Margaret Baker.

He hosted missionaries from around the world at his house and visited them, keeping in touch with friends from the 1930s and mailing out hundreds of Christmas cards. He led 19 tours to six continents; traveled with Rotary International to Ecuador when he was 92 years old and had perfect attendance at Rotary for more than 50 years, carrying a camera to meetings.

"You couldn't help but love him—his hug and smile and his welcoming ways," said fellow Rotarian Joni Miringoff.

He was born April 23, 1916 in Los Angeles to Earle Jefferson Baker and Ruby mary Elwell. He graduated from Eagle Rock High School in 1934 and University of California Los Angeles in 1938 with a bachelor's degree in math. He graduated from Chicago Theological Seminary in 1943, was ordained a minister and served as full-time pastor at Colonial Congregational Church in Los Angeles, Union Congregational Church in Shafter and First Congregational Church in Buena Park before coming to Pilgrim.

He was married to Betty for 64 years until she died in 2004.

Rev. Baker is survived by two brothers Donald Baker of San Francisco and Kenneth Baker of LaVerne and a sister Phyllis Noel of Hemet; three children, Ronald Baker (Judith Eberhart) of Carlsbad, Margaret Baker (Frances Riley) of Chula Vista and Kathryn Tell (Darryl) of Carlsbad; five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

A celebration of life will be at 2 p.m. July 30 at Pilgrim United Church of Christ, 2020 Chestnut Ave.,Carlsbad.

The family suggests donations to Pilgrim United Church of Christ, Gordon Baker Memorial Fund or ProLiteracy, Gordon and Betty Baker Literacy Fund.