World traveler speaks to St. Andrews Rotary
By Cheryl Poss
cposs@scana.com

Alan "Shoe" Shoemaker (l), world traveler, and Pete Sercer, program chairman of the St. Andrews Rotary Club.

During Alan Shoemaker's 30- year tenure with Riverbanks Zoo, he has led many teams to exotic and interesting places around the world. The members of St. Andrews Rotary Club were very impressed with Alan's colorful talk May 22 on his recent excursion to the Greek Isles.

Shoemaker is a graduate of Furman University and in 1972 he earned his MS in biology from USC. He worked at Riverbanks Zoological Park from 1972 until his retirement in May, 2002. He held the position of Curator of Mammals and Collection Manager.

In recognition for his work within the zoological park community, Shoemaker was made an honorary member of the American Zoo and Aquarium Association. He has authored over 115 refereed and professional papers about animals and their management. Shoemaker served in the U.S. Army for two years, including a seven- month of tour in Vietnam where he was decorated twice while serving with the 9th Infantry Division.

Hank Chardos (c) of Homeworks is presented a check from Didier Nobels, (l) project manager for the Homeworks Blitz Project, and Kevin George (r), St. Andrews Rotarian.

A member and past- president of the St. Andrews Rotary Club since 1979, Alan is now serving as a consultant for zoos and conservation organizations around the world. In 2006, he flew over 90,000 miles on 17 trips, six of which were international.

Prior to Shoemaker's talk the club presented a check for $750 and a Home Depot gift card for $250 to Hank Chardos, executive director of Homeworks. The club built a deck and wheelchair ramp for a senior citizen's home, replaced the kitchen flooring, cleaned the yard, and trimmed trees that endangered the home.