Trudy Armstrong, Charley Crew inducted into Rancho Bernardo Hall of Fame

The Rancho Bernardo Hall of Fame welcomed longtime community volunteers Trudy Armstrong and Charley Crews into the organization at an installation celebration Saturday night.

“When you look around the room, you see the fabric of the community … that has weaved the history of our town,” said Barbara Warden as she began her introduction of Armstrong, whom she nominated.

“Among the longest and strongest of those threads is Trudy Armstrong,” Warden said to the 80 attendees who gathered at Silvergate Rancho Bernardo for the 2023 ceremony.

Warden, a former San Diego City Councilwoman and decades-long RB resident, started the RB Hall of Fame in 1974 with Eileen Haag. The two were publishers of Bernardo News, the predecessor of the Rancho Bernardo News-Journal.

The Hall of Fame honors dedicated community volunteers who held leadership positions for several years.

San Diego City Councilwoman Marni von Wilpert, 2023 inductee Trudy Armstrong, RB Hall of Fame President and 2019 inductee Debbie Kurth and nominator Barbara Warden.

(Elizabeth Marie Himchak)

Armstrong, the 125th inductee, was recognized for her leadership in the RB Sunrise Rotary Club, chamber leadership in both the RB Chamber of Commerce and North San Diego Business Chamber, Soroptimists, RB High School Foundation and RB Business Association.

“The time, talent and organizations benefited, as did all of us,” Warden said, adding, “This is very much well-deserved.”

“I truly appreciate it,” Armstrong said as she began her remarks. “We are in a room full of people who truly care about this community.”

She credited her father with instilling in her a desire for community service, not only through his actions but always telling her that “if you can, you must give back.”

Armstrong recognized previous inductees for helping her along the way, including Jim Roth, a 2006 inductee; Craig Brown, a 2008 inductee; and Mike Stelman, who was inducted in 1984.

Matthew Armstrong, Courtney Corey-Armstrong, 2023 RB Hall of Fame inductee Trudy Armstrong and Trevor Armstrong.

(Elizabeth Marie Himchak)

Armstrong acknowledged she was proud of the volunteer work she did in Rancho Bernardo over the past four decades, but said she was most proud of her sons, Matthew and Trevor Armstrong, and daughter-in-law Courtney Corey-Armstrong. They were present to celebrate with her.

In a nod to Corey-Armstrong’s portrayal as Elphaba in the original Los Angeles and Chicago companies of the musical “Wicked,” Armstrong paraphrased a line from one of Elphaba’s songs to conclude her speech.

“Because I’ve known you, I have been changed for good. Thanks to each and every one of you,” Armstrong said.

Mike Fuqua, one of last year’s inductees, nominated and introduced Crew, a fellow Rotary Club of Rancho Bernardo member and the 126th inductee.

“When I nominated Charley, I knew the competition would be fierce … and did not know if he would be chosen,” Fuqua said. “But I am delighted to celebrate his accomplishments and induction.”

Fuqua said he greatly admires Crew’s dedication and leadership to the Rotary club and Rancho Bernardo community.

San Diego City Councilwoman Marni von Wilpert, nominator and 2022 inductee Mike Fuqua, 2023 inductee Charley Crew and RB Hall of Fame President and 2019 inductee Debbie Kurth.

(Elizabeth Marie Himchak)

“It seemed like Charley is everywhere,” Fuqua said. “He is not a guy for a lot of accolades but he really embodies the Rotary motto of ‘Service above self.’”

He praised Crew’s efforts immediately following the 2007 Witch Creek fire that included establishing with the local P.E.O. chapter scholarships for five women impacted by the fire.

In addition to being the Rotary Club of Rancho Bernardo’s 2007-08 president, Crew has held leadership roles in the RB Rotary Foundation for several years. He has also been the club’s Rotary Youth Leadership Awards coordinator for six years. The program provides leadership training to high school juniors, and Crew has been very successful with that, Fuqua said.

Because Crew and his wife, Barb, are very involved with the Vista Hill Foundation and its efforts to help those with mental health issues, RB Rotarians have made it one of their fundraising beneficiaries.

“The way Charley lives his life personifies giving back to the community,” Fuqua said. “His selection for the Rancho Bernardo Hall of Fame is so very deserving.”

2023 RB Hall of Fame inductee Charley Crew with his wife, Barb.

(Elizabeth Marie Himchak)

Crew said he and his wife made Rancho Bernardo their permanent home in 2000 and have focused on community service ever since.

“Rancho Bernardo is near and dear to my heart,” Crew said, explaining that due to his work— he retired as a vice president with Hawthorn Machinery Company — they moved 18 times. They previously lived in RB from 1992 to 1994. “We definitely put down roots here,” he said.

“I am truly honored to be selected … was quite surprised actually because I know of several Hall of Fame recipients before me,” Crew said. “It is a good feeling to be in that community.”

Crew, a Rotarian for 21 years, said his father was also a Rotarian, but it was not until moving to Rancho Bernardo that he felt the desire to join the international organization. He thanked his friends who were present and his wife, whom he called “my role model and right-hand gal.”

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San Diego City Councilwoman Marni von Wilpert, 2023 inductee Trudy Armstrong, RB Hall of Fame President and 2019 inductee Debbie Kurth and nominator Barbara Warden.  (Elizabeth Marie Himchak)

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All of the Rancho Bernardo Hall of Fame members who attended the 2023 installation celebration on Aug. 12.  (Elizabeth Marie Himchak)

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San Diego City Councilwoman Marni von Wilpert, nominator and 2022 inductee Mike Fuqua, 2023 inductee Charley Crew and RB Hall of Fame President and 2019 inductee Debbie Kurth.  (Elizabeth Marie Himchak)

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Matthew Armstrong, Courtney Corey-Armstrong, 2023 RB Hall of Fame inductee Trudy Armstrong and Trevor Armstrong.  (Elizabeth Marie Himchak)

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2023 RB Hall of Fame inductee Charley Crew with his wife, Barb.  (Elizabeth Marie Himchak)

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Athenea and Felix Luciano.  (Elizabeth Marie Himchak)

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Polly Getz and 2016 inductee Dave Brooks.  (Elizabeth Marie Himchak)

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Jan Bourgeois and Raenell Hooten.  (Elizabeth Marie Himchak)

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Jay and Sara Kadowaki, Rachel Peniche and Kevin Lomax.  (Elizabeth Marie Himchak)

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Marty Greenwald, Elizabeth Engelberg and Laura Mello.  (Elizabeth Marie Himchak)

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Dave and Charlene Zettel with Barb Crew.  (Elizabeth Marie Himchak)

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RB Hall of Fame 2015 inductee Nancy Canfield, Eric Young and Jim Reid.  (Elizabeth Marie Himchak)