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2026 Debunking - Richard Hackmann
On a refreshingly cool summer evening in Georgie Gleim’s beloved backyard, the PAUR mainframe logged one final session of the 2025-26 Rotary year: a full-scale Hack-a-Thon convened to toast, roast, and lovingly debunk our outgoing Club President, Richard Hackmann.
We were pleased to welcome a number of guests this year, including Richard’s former business partner, Steve Emslie, Richard’s uncle John Hackmann, and others wanting to get to know our club better. It was wonderful to see so many spouses of members again. If you were not able to join us due to travel, health, or other commitments, we missed you and hope to see you at next year’s event.
Past President Leif Erickson joined the planning team and served as our emcee for the evening, and he came bearing gifts: a home-made children’s storybook for Richard and Julia’s one-year-old son Henry, The Year Your Daddy Rang the Bell. Larry Christenson supplemented Leif’s debunking remarks with an Eagle Scout scorecard on Richard’s year, one Eagle Scout grading another.
The Hack-a-Thon
Thank you to our PAUR Social Chair, Nanci Kauffman, for the imaginative Hack-a-Thon theme and the “hacker Hackmann” logo that appeared on t-shirts, remarks, and messaging throughout the evening. Richard works in the technology field, so the theme practically wrote itself.
This year Nanci convened a Debunking planning team that included Tod Gregory, Larry Christenson, Katie Cooney, Linda Lenoir, who coordinated our beloved catering crew, and Judy Deggeller, who made sure everyone could hear every word. Thanks also to the volunteer crew of Rotarians who helped Georgie's beautiful patio and garden look their best.
Sweet Caroline (er, Sweet Hackmann)
The evening took its traditional musical turn with a song honoring Richard, crafted by Judy Deggeller to the sing-along tune of Sweet Caroline. Judy was joined by Rota-Rooter singers Karen Ross, Debra Cen, and Katie Cooney, with enthusiastic participation from members and guests alike.
The Cooney Hat
No debunking at PAUR would be complete without the magically crafted Cooney Hat, Katie Cooney’s annual creation. This year’s spectacular, one-of-a-kind signature hat delighted Richard as he carefully tried it on, every item a whimsical tribute to a moment or quality from his term.
A Gift for the Whole Family
Nanci arranged a fitting club gift for Richard, Julia, and Henry: a family membership at San Francisco’s Discovery Museum, a year of exploration for PAUR’s youngest Hackmann.
The Hack-Man Speaks
Then Richard, the Hack-Man himself, stepped up with heartfelt remarks about what the year has meant to him and his family, along with his 16 years of club membership. He paid tribute to this year’s committee chairs and board members and recognized selected contributors with this year’s PAUR named honorary awards. 📜 The complete list, along with past recipients, can be found here.
Ctrl+Alt+Delegate: Passing PAUR’s Baton
The ceremonials concluded with the transfer of the club regalia from Richard to incoming Club President Jyotika RoyC, who shared a preview of the new year ahead, beginning at our next PAUR meeting on Friday, July 10.
Then, in the tradition of the changing of the banners, Jo unfurled the 2026-27 Rotary banner: “Create Lasting Impact.” And just like that, we stepped confidently into a new Rotary year.
“The old order changeth, yielding place to new…”
A Vote of Thanks
Thank you to Georgie Gleim for again hosting this event at her home, and to Nanci Kauffman and the entire planning team of Tod Gregory, Larry Christenson, Katie Cooney, Linda Lenoir, and Judy Deggeller, as well as the volunteer clean-up crew, for making the patio and garden shine.
Thank you to outgoing Club President Richard Hackmann for a 2025-26 year of inspiration, gratitude, and caring.
Some Clicks from the Day
