Morganton's Distinguished Person of the Year

Rotary Club of Morganton salutes the Morganton Distinguished Person of the Year

Each year, the Rotary Club of Morganton singles out one person who has contributed significantly to the betterment of the community.  It is a special honor that transcends politics and personalities, and it is reserved for those individuals whose leadership and service extend far beyond the range of the average citizen, exemplifying the Rotary motto of “Service Above Self.”

In 1948, the late J.D. Fitz, an outstanding Rotarian and past Club President, conceived the idea of a “Man of the Year” award, which was later changed to the “Distinguished Person of the Year” award to accept both men and women as nominees. In 2023, the title of the award was updated to “The Rev. Bob D. Shepherd Distinguished Person of the Year” in memory of our longtime Rotarian friend and former 1990 “Man of the Year”, Bob Shepherd. Bob was termed a “good shepherd”, a man who personified the spirit of Service Above Self and was deeply involved in many community service oriented endeavors since making Morganton his home in 1982. Bob passed away in 2023 after more than 60 years of Rotary service.

Nominations for the award are solicited from throughout the community and the award recipient is selected by a secret committee appointed by that year’s Rotary Club President.

Many of the award winners have been honored for a lifetime of community service, while others have been chosen primarily for spearheading a single, extraordinary project.  Their spheres of influence are as wide and diverse as the community itself:  education, commerce, athletics, religion and charitable endeavors, to name a few.

Each recipient has been welcomed into an exclusive fellowship of men and women whose deeds and vision have helped enhance the quality of life in this community for over 60 years.

The Rotary Club of Morganton is very proud to present the “Distinguished Person of the Year” and welcomes all the past award winners.



Amy Jackson-Kincaid, 2023 Rotary Club of Morganton Bob Shepherd Distinguished Person of the Year


Former Distinguished Persons of the Year

2023 - AMY JACKSON-KINCAID

2022 - CHRIS WITHERSPOON

2021 - *NO DPOY DUE TO COVID PANDEMIC

2020 - MOLLY HEMSTREET

2019 - DON HEMSTREET

2018 - ALEXANDER CORPENING

2017 - JOHN CANTRELL


1957: William J. Branstrom, Jr.
1956: John M. Mull
1955: Robert O. Huffman
1954: Sen. S.J. Ervin, Jr.
1953: W.R. Williams
1952: H.L. Riddle
1951: A.C. Chaffee
1950: A.M. Ingold
1949: H.L. Shuey
1948: E.A. Kirksey

2016: Scott Whisnant
2015: Barbara C. Norvell
2014: John D. Greene
2013: Rev. Dr. George K. Logan

2012: John T. Branstrom
2011: Jerry T. Norvell, Jr.
2010: Claude SItton

2004: Thomas A. Bland, Jr.
2003: Carl Evans
2002: Wayne Abele
2001: Robert E. Benner
2000: Fred B. Bentley

2009: Ron Martin
2008: Waits Gordon II
2007: David Burleson
2006: David Rust
2005: Paul M. Braun

1994: L.S. Inscoe, Jr.
1993: Otto H. Woerner
1992: Lloyd W. Turner
1991: Charles V. Burleson
1990: Bob D. Shepherd

1984: William P. Widenhouse
1983: Melvin C. Cohen
1982: Clarence Perkins Reinhardt
1981: William L. McCombs
1980: H. Clinton Foust

1990-1999

1999: William J. Allman
1998: Gary W. Leonhardt
1997: Ed G. Redman
1996: John T. Watkins, Jr.
1995: Fred M. Robertson

1980-1989

1989: Robert B. Byrd
1988: George M. Fouts
1987: Howard Hayworth
1986: Tom Peeler
1985: Andrew M. Kistler II

1974: Paul S. Cash
1973: Dr. Fletcher Nelson
1972: J.D. Fitz
1971: Burand L. McGinnis
1970: John D. Smith

1970-1979

1979: D. Holman Sigmon
1978: Richard E. Gordon
1977: Jack Kirksey
1976: Dr. C. Miller Sigmon
1975: W.F. McIntosh, Jr.

1948-1969

1969: Jack H. Campbell
1968: Donnell VanNoppen
1967: A.B. Stoney
1966: Robert L. Patton
1965: T. Henry Wilson
1964: C.K. Avery
1963: Dr. E. W. Phifer, Jr.
1962: James F. McGimpsey
1961: Frank C. Patton
1960: W. Stanley Moore
1959: Dr. W.H. Kibler
1958: J.O. Barber