Bob Stevens treated us to an information-packed presentation about Sir Winston Churhill at our April 22, 2025 meeting.
Bob was the Principal of York High School for 37 years. He was the longest tenured High School Principal in the country. He has an extensive knowledge of Winston Churchill and often speaks on this topic. Bob was the 1999 Principal of the Year. He was the 2000 American Legion Educator of the Year. He was inducted into the Maine Principal's Hall of Fame in 2015. In celebration of his 25th anniversary at York High School the School Committee had the address of the High School renamed to Bob Stevens Drive.
Bob's passion for, and knowledge of, Sir Winston Churchill is impressive. He described Sir Winston as "the ubiquitous Churchill" because he seemed to be everywhere.
Bob Stevens expounding on Sir Winston Churchill
Some of the interesting facts about Sir Winston that Bob passed on to us:
- His first biography was written when he was 32 years old - by himself
- His official biography extends to 17 volumes
- Queen Elizabeth II wanted to make him a Duke, but he refused because that would move him from the House of Commons to the House of Lord. He was a man of the people.
- He was a veteran of 5 wars
- He was Prime Ministry fro 1940-45 and 1951-1955
- He wanted to go in on the first wave on D-Day, but he was disuaded by the King.
- He was a military man, a politician and a great literary figure.
- He was nominated for the Nobel prize - twice for Peace and five times for Literature
- He authored 31 major works
- Finally, and not suprisingly, Sir Winston was a Rotarian!