Roscommon County, MI – The Roscommon County Community Foundation (RCCF), in partnership with the Houghton Lake Rotary Club, is proud to honor the life and legacy of Art Gonzalez through a special giving campaign supporting the Houghton Lake Rotary Club Memorial Scholarship Fund.
From July 23rd until August 20th, the Houghton Lake Rotary Club matched all donations up to $1,500 for the Houghton Lake Rotary Club Memorial Scholarship Fund in memory of Art. Art was a beloved community leader, former Rotary Club President, chartered the Houghton Lake High School Interact Club, and a man who lived the Rotary motto, Service Above Self, in everything he did.
This past May, Art attended the Houghton Lake Interact Club’s 30th Anniversary Celebration. With emotion in his voice and pride in his heart, he encouraged students to continue serving and to consider joining Rotary in the future. His presence that day was a powerful reminder of the lives he touched and the future he helped shape.
Gary Gandolfi, 2025-2026 Houghton Lake Rotary President and RCCF Trustee said, “Art was a very active Rotarian, was devoted to improving the community, and in helping our youth become leaders through service and global awareness. It was great he could participate in our 30th Anniversary recognition of Interact at HLHS and clear he was proud that the club remains so active today.”
A Scholarship that Honors the Past and Invests in the Future
The Houghton Lake Rotary Club Memorial Scholarship Fund was originally created to honor Rotarians John MacKenzie, Russ Graham, and Bob Gandolfi—dedicated leaders who gave selflessly to the community. Today, the fund proudly includes Art Gonzalez among its honored names.
The Interact Club: Building a Culture of Service
The HLHS Interact Club, founded by Art, continues to be a vibrant force in the community. Guided by student leadership and Rotary mentorship, the Club leads a wide variety of meaningful projects each year. Each project embodies the spirit of service Art championed, and the Club’s ongoing work is a living tribute to his legacy.