Rotarian of the Year!
Thursday, August 4, 2022
Rotarian of the Year is the most coveted honor the Rotary Club of Coronado bestows on its members. It recognizes one person who, over the course of many years, has demonstrated a sustained and selfless commitment to volunteerism. The Rotarian of the Year is one of the best kept secrets of the club with clues disclosed at the annual Installation and Recognition Dinner. This year some of the clues read by 2021 Rotarian of the Year, Karen Strabala, included:  “This Rotarian loves chocolate and big dogs, is a published author, was his high school’s Valedictorian, attended the Naval Academy; enjoys bicycle riding, rowing and tree-climbing. This Rotarian participates in community committees that include Emerald Keepers and Avenue of Heroes, and co-chaired Neighbor to Neighbor (N2N) during the pandemic. This year’s Rotarian of the Year is Dan’l Steward.”
 
Dan’l joined Rotary in 1998 after seeing Rotarians putting up the flags on Orange Avenue on the Fourth of July. His sponsor, Bob Watson, told him if he wanted to help with the flags, he had to join Rotary. For the past 24 years, if Dan’l was in town, he never missed participating in Flags on the Avenue.

Dan’l’s history with Rotary dates back to his childhood when his father was president of the Eureka, CA, Rotary Club. Throughout his life, Dan’l has exemplified the Rotary motto, “Service Above Self.” Not one to step into the limelight, he likes to work behind the scenes whether it be helping with monthly beach clean-ups, Pancake Breakfasts, Low Tide Ride & Stride, serving breakfast at Father Joe’s, Rotary Santas, or heavy lifting for Rotarians at Work Day. Dan’l co-chaired the inaugural Rotarians at Work Day – the brainchild of Bob Watson—which is now an annual Rotary International Event. Dan’l currently serves as the chair of the Bob Watson Citizenship Award Committee and is the chair of the Military Advisory Committee.

Dan’l’s hobbies include writing, woodworking, running, biking, hiking and sculling. Dan’l is married to Amy Steward, retired teacher and president and founder of Emerald Keepers, who is also a Rotarian.

Amy and Dan’l have a daughter, D’amy, who was “raised” in Rotary. Since her early childhood, she has been involved with most of Coronado Rotary’s projects, such as Beach Cleanup, Flags on the Avenue and Rotarians at Work Day. As marine biologist, she has spoken to Coronado Rotary once from a ship and once from Guam.  Dan’l is proud that D’amy was the recipient of a Rotary Scholarship in 2016 and president of the Coronado High School Interact Club. This strong Rotary family will continue to set high standards of integrity and service above self.