Larry Vasquez, better known as Yogi, was recently named the Ponderay Centennial Rotary Club member of the month for October.

“Yogi dives into every project we do with a smile, great ideas, and is truly the hardest worker ever,“ said club president, Kari Saccomanno.

Yogi contributes much time, care and positive action working with club members to support the community. Currently he is the club’s Service Project Chair and a member of the scholarship committee.

“I really enjoy participating in the many projects and events that our group takes on, and best of all, I enjoy working alongside our club members,” Yogi commented.

Yogi joined Ponderay Rotary for its small size and hands-on attitude. As a retired teacher, he especially appreciated the club’s dedication to educational scholarships in conjunction with its commitment to local service projects.

For twenty years, Yogi built and managed a successful insurance brokerage. Ready for a career change, he transformed himself into a secondary school teacher, well-loved by many. Besides teaching, Yogi coached sports and also founded the Sandpoint High School Welding Program.

“My best career decision ever was returning to teaching,” said Yogi, “The students energize me.”

Currently he is enjoying his retirement, but that doesn’t slow him down. He still works with Sandpoint High School on projects and as a substitute teacher. He built his own home and loves supporting his children and grandchildren in their different endeavors. During his “off” time, he plays Suduko puzzles and builds and repairs anything he can get his hands on.

Thriving on critical thinking and problem-solving, Yogi loves to use his hands to fabricate and fix things. His primary hobby is overhauling and building hot rods. He was the creator of the memorial bench for charter member Pat Gavin and one of the founders of the club’s Lawnmower Races.

Observing too many people feel entitled today without putting in the work these days, Yogi hopes that his biggest influence in the community will be teaching kids and students to work hard for what they want in life and not take the easy way out.

“If you didn’t earn it, you don’t deserve it,” he says. He really admires people who would rather accept a hand-up rather than a hand-out.

Yogi is most happy when he is with his wife Pamela “Pixie”, two sons, Jeremy and Jamad and his grandchildren. He feels they have had the biggest impact on his life. Pixie and Yogi have been married for 45 years and are both proud of their honest, successful, hardworking children.

His life tip for success: “Work and compete to be the best you can.”