New Canaan Senior Men Award Diustinguished Man Award to Jim Schlumpf

NEW CANAAN SENIOR MEN’S CLUB NAMES JAMES SCHLUMPF

“DISTINGUISHED NEW CANAAN SENIOR MAN”

 In recognition of thousands of hours of unpaid volunteer service to the community over many years, James D. (Jim) Schlumpf was recently elected a Distinguished Senior Man of New Canaan by the Senior Men’s Club, according to Paul A. Stein, Club President. This high honor is periodically awarded after careful review and a vote of the Club members.

“Most members of the Senior Men’s Club give many hours of volunteer service at local non-profit and government organizations in order to make things better for the community,” said Stein. “While it is typical of our members to work hard in volunteer jobs to make New Canaan a better place to live, Jim has gone far above and beyond the average both as a worker and in leadership positions. His contributions of time and effort over the years are notable.”

“As examples of what he has done, Jim was a Trustee and later Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Congregational Church. He also gave time to many community projects of the Exchange Club starting in 1986, and was its President in 1990 and 1991. For four years starting in 1987 he served on the New Canaan Commission on Aging and in 1992 joined the Board of the New Canaan Inn. In 1994 he began a two year term as President of that Board.”

Asked to serve on the Police Commission in 1991, Schlumpf was its Chairman from 1994 until 2004. He also held various officer positions including President in both the Poinsettia and Gridiron Clubs of New Canaan. He was the principal speaker at the Town’s Memorial Day Ceremonies in 1992 and was selected the annual “Fall Guy” by the Gridiron Club of New Canaan in 1998.

Schlumpf’s career was with IBM from which he retired as Director of Manufacturing Planning. He says he did much of his volunteer work after retiring. “Like many, I came to town in the midst of my career when I was working long hours seemingly every day. Along with many others, I lived here, went to work from here but didn’t really get to know the community or a lot of people in it. When I retired, I finally had time to work with others here and found I enjoyed it.”

“I would say to men and women in similar situations get involved! Find an organization, introduce yourself, volunteer and get involved! It’s rewarding and fun.”

 Schlumpf, who was born and raised in Evansville, Indiana, arrived in New Canaan with his wife Susie in 1973, their fifth move for IBM. They raised their children here: John, who now lives in Lexington, Kentucky; Laura, who lives in Woodstock, Georgia and Robert currently in Marysville, Washington. The couple has seven grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren.

In 1981 Schlumpf joined the Senior Men’s Club of New Canaan where he has worked on many committees and served in many positions including that of President in 1990-1991. The Senior Men’s Club of New Canaan, an organization of about 450 local men, meets at 10AM most Friday mornings at St. Mark’s church to socialize and hear notable speakers on matters of special interest. The Club is open for new membership applications. Visit www.smcnc.org for more information or call Membership Chairman Jerry Transue at 203-966-6050