Club Meeting: Never Give Up – A Vietnam POW’s Story of Survival

Retired Colonel Lynn Guenther, father of Wilsonville High School Head Football Coach Adam Guenther, will share his experiences from his time as a Forward Air Controller (FAC). His role shifted dramatically from engaging enemy targets to enduring a 414-day survival ordeal from December 26, 1971, to February 12, 1973. Through this challenging time, he discovered the indispensable value of faith, family, and friends, offering profound insights into resilience and the human spirit.

The Rotary Club of Wilsonville meets weekly Thursdays at noon to carry out its purpose of providing service and fellowship to members and the Wilsonville community. Guests are welcome. Lunch is available off the menu; please arrive and order by 11:45 a.m. if you are ordering lunch. For more information, email president@wilsonvillerotary.com.

Official bio:

Lynn Guenther was born on December 30th, 1945, in Glasgow, Montana. In 1958, his family moved to The Dalles, Oregon, where he graduated from The Dalles High School in 1964. From 1964 to 1968, he attended Linfield College and Oregon State University, where he earned a BS Degree in Economics and received an Air Force commission through the OSU Air Force ROTC program. Over the next 26 years, he had 19 assignments and 17 family moves. While most of his assignments centered on flying operations, several were HQ staff positions or educational assignments. On August 1, 1994, he retired as the Base Commander of Fairchild AFB, Spokane, WA. From 1994 to 2003, he served as the City Manager of Hood River, OR, and from 2003 to 2010, he owned Gorge Fly Fishing Expeditions and was a Licensed Commercial Real Estate Broker. Lynn has been married to his high school sweetheart, Susan, for 57 years, and they have 3 sons and daughters-in-law, 9 grandchildren, and 6 great-grandchildren.