Meet a TwinBridger: Rich Landers
I’ve interviewed many, many people and been interviewed a few times but interviewing myself is a first so I think I’ll do it in Q & A format.
So Rich, why don’t you start by telling us how you got involved with Rotary and Twin Bridges.
Well, Rich, it was the same as for many people—a friend convinced me to come to a meeting and try it out. In my case that was Perry Berkowitz who has been involved in Rotary for some 50 years with several clubs around the country, including serving as a Club President and District Governor. I had recently retired and was looking for some way to volunteer and give back to the community.
When did this happen and what made you stick with Twin Bridges?
It was 2012. I like the people and the camaraderie and I like that we operate in two ways—we raise money and give it away to charitable organizations doing good work locally plus we also do hands-on work, recently things like building beds for area kids who don’t have one. For me, Twin Bridges has been a little like still being in the work world—I’m supposed to be somewhere two or three times a month and I work together with people whom I’ve become friendly with and actual friends in some cases. One difference—as a Rotary member, there’s no pressure and very little stress.
I see on the About page of the Club website (twinbridgesrotary.com/about) that you’re the Treasurer--does that mean you’re a numbers person?
No, I’m really a word person but, fortunately, our finances do not require a high level of accounting skills. I’m also in charge of our website and do most of the external public relations work.
Tell us about your career and your personal life.
I grew up in Queens and came to Albany for grad school where I met Judy, the love of my life. A couple of years later we were married and moved to Connecticut where I was a reporter and city editor for a small daily newspaper. A few years there and we moved back to Albany and I became Editor and later General Manager of the Business Review. That was followed by a stint as General Manager of a public relations agency and then Communications Director for a statewide trade association. Somewhere along the way I was also part-owner of a wallpaper and window treatment store in Colonie. Judy and I have one daughter, Erin, and now two rambunctious grandchildren who keep us hopping when they stay at our house.
Hobbies, things you enjoy doing away from Rotary?
When I was growing up, vacation seemed to always mean going to a beach and we’ve kind of continued that—been to beaches all over the east coast, Caribbean, Bermuda, lots of visits to Florida. My family had a home on Cape Cod and I spent most summers there as a kid. We still go back almost every year at least for a few days.
After I retired, I started writing plays and have had what I’d call modest success—well-received productions at community theaters in places like Rhinebeck, Hudson, Albany, Schenectady and Saratoga. I stepped down recently as Treasurer of Albany Civic Theater and have been President of our homeowners’ association for the past several years. This past year I started playing competitive duplicate bridge. I’m also a news junkie—addicted to the internet.
What’s your personality like?
I’m not sure I should be the one answering that question. I did have occasion not long ago to take a shot at writing my obituary and I . . .
Wait! What? What occasion was that?
A birthday, too many birthdays.
Pardon the interruption, you were saying . . .?
In the obit I said I was known for a quiet demeanor and a dry sense of humor.
Did everybody agree with that?
Everybody? I only showed it to my wife; she was okay with it.
So, reporter, editor, public relations manager, retailer, webmaster, treasurer, president, playwright, husband, father, grandfather—does that make you a Renaissance man?
Well, maybe a jack of all trades, master of . . . hmmm . . . some?
