It was clear that something was up when a table full of Habenichts attended the weekly Maple Valley Rotary meeting June 3.

It was at this meeting that Lynn Roberts, Rotarian and also the Executive Director of the Greater MV Community Center, presented Gary Habenicht with the Senior Citizen of the Year Award.

Roberts said, “It was a no brainer.”

The following letter was written by Habenicht’s son, Brett, and sums up Habenicht’s accomplishments, involvement in the community and sentiments of so many:

“My Father, Gary Habenicht is a lifelong resident of the Greater Maple Valley area, graduating from Tahoma High School in 1956 with the distinction of having been the ASB President his Junior year and Boys Club President his Senior year.”

Habenicht’s list of local, charitable accomplishments are long and deep, having touched many lives and contributing to many high profile local projects. Around 1973-74, Habenicht and group of committed volunteers chartered the original Voice of Tahoma Education Committee (VOTE committee) as a way to raise awareness about bond and levy issues and their impact on the community.

That committee is stronger today than ever. As a member and past president of both the Maple Valley Lions Club and the Maple Valley Rotary Club, Habenicht has been instrumental in programs such as the Lions Club Vision Program and Rotary’s annual auction to raise money for the various and numerous projects sponsored by Maple Valley Rotary.

Habenicht was the catalyst behind the creation of Levandansky Park and is involved now with the creation of the Ravensdale Sports Park. He was also the driving force behind the Fred V. Habenicht Rotary Park.