http://somerset-kentucky.com/local/x234167739/Locally-born-Rotary-leader-Pigman-dies-at-78
A former general secretary of Rotary International with close ties to Pulaski County has died.
Herbert A. Pigman, 78, of Ambia, Ind., died Friday, May 18 at Terre Haute Regional Hospital. He was general secretary for the service club from 1979 to 1986 and interim secretary from 1993 to 1995.
Born in Somerset in 1933, Pigman never forgot his Pulaski County birthplace. He kept in touch with members of his family and friends here, according to John B. Adams, district governor of Rotary International for Eastern Kentucky.
Pigman's grandmother was a member of the Nancy community’s Burton/Hudson families. After the passing of her first husband, she married Chester Daulton, a patriarch of the Daulton family in Nancy.
Pigman's mother lived in Cleveland, Ohio. When she was pregnant with Herbert (Pigman) she came to Pulaski County to visit a brother who was sick. She stayed longer than expected and Pigman was born at the old Somerset City Hospital, Adams related.
Pigman in 1984 spoke at a dinner comm-emorating the 60th anniversary of Somerset Rotary Club.
"Herb Pigman was a visionary,” Adams remarked. “When Rotary International was beginning its major project to eradicate polio around the world in 1984, Pigman said it was not a matter of medical science, but one of political organization and resources. Time has proven that a very accurate statement," said Adams.
“Herb Pigman's view of Rotary from the 1980s is still very relevant today,” Adams continued. He accurately forecast that Rotary would grow internationally. He said the key to Rotary's growth everywhere would be to foster continued evolution of Rotary from a social club for busi-nessmen to a diverse organization where business and profession people could volunteer talents to make their communities and the world a better place,” Adams said.
In his local comm-unity, Pigman served on boards of the Warren County Community Fou-ndation and the Locust Grove Church. He was past president of the Rotary Club of Boswell, Ind, and a mandolin player for the Prairie Players dulcimer group.
Pigman was twice named Sagamore of the Wabash by the state of Indiana for his “humanity in living, his loyalty in friendship, his wisdom in council and his inspiration in leadership.”
“Live life and don’t waste time” guided Pigman’s 78 years. He began his 35-year career as a journalist with The Rotarian Magazine. He directed Rotary International PolioPlus Immunization Task Force for three years and continued in advocacy efforts, traveling the world as the director of the polio eradication fundraising campaign. He was past president of Rotary clubs in Boswell, Ind. and Evanston, Ill.
In his retirement, he lived a lifelong dream of being a farmer by returning to Warren County and beginning a hay-baling business and raising chickens, goats, and horses. Herb loved to gather with his children and grandchildren at the farm.
He is survived by his wife and life partner, Betty, of 57 years; two sons, Thomas (Anne) Pigman, Williamsport; Dan (Jen) Pigman, LaGrange, Ill; three daughters, Jenny (Scott) Wayman, Coeur D’Alene, ID; Sally (Paul) Huck Kenosha, WI; Liz (Hank) Bothfeld, Dodgeville, WI; 15 grand-children; brother, Stuart (Eleanor) Pigman and sisters, Judy (Rich) Shereikis, Janet Zoble, and Anne (Larry) Black. He is preceded in death by his mother and father and brother, Richard.
A memorial service is planned at a later date in Evanston, Ill.
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