Farmer downplays his role in fighting polio

By Shawn McGrath, Journal and Courier

He's a major player in the global effort to eradicate polio and has twice been named a Sagamore of the Wabash, Indiana's highest civilian award, for his work.

Herbert Pigman (Photo by Michael Heinz, Journal and Courier)

But getting Warren County's Herb Pigman to talk about his accomplishments is a difficult task. The soft-spoken farmer prefers to talk about Rotary International's continued work eradicating a disease that continues to paralyze children in many countries.

"I'm very pleased to have the work recognized," said Pigman, deflecting attention from himself. "Not so much for myself, but for the strides we've made in the eradication of polio."

Pigman, 69, was general secretary, the equivalent of a chief operating officer, of Rotary International in 1985, when the service organization announced it would raise $120 million to combat polio. The Rotary campaign was held in conjunction with a United Nations' effort to eradicate the infectious, viral disease, which affects the spinal cord and brain stem, from the globe.

"No non-governmental agency ever pledged such a large amount," said Pigman, a native of Somerset, Ky. "It was a little audacious since we didn't have a dime in the bank."

From 1986 to 1989, Rotary International more than met its goal, raising $247 million. The civic group partnered with the World Health Organization, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and UNICEF to form the Global Polio Eradication Initiative.

Don Bacon, who along with Bob Gibson won the Journal and Courier's George Award after being nominated by Pigman, said local residents should be honored to have Pigman involved in their Rotary club.

"Here we are in Boswell, a small club with 13 members, and we have someone of his caliber. It's really something,'' Bacon said. "He's met kings and queens and traveled the world. He always has information (about Rotary International). ... He and his wife (Betty) are down to earth people. He's very caring person; soft spoken."

Rotary International's PolioPlus program includes vaccination for several other diseases, such as diphtheria, tetanus and whooping cough. Pigman was the director of the immunization task force for PolioPlus, and in 1995, he and others began lobbying government leaders in 30 countries to help fund polio eradication in poor countries.

When the project started, only 25 percent of newborns worldwide were getting vaccinations. By 1990, 80 percent of newborns were inoculated. The goal is to have polio eradicated by 2005, Rotary International's 100th anniversary.

Rotary International, based in Evanston, Ill., just announced June 5 that it had raised another $88 million to fight polio. In 2002, the group set a goal of raising $80 million.

Pigman, a graduate of Franklin College with a degree in journalism, first became involved with Rotary in 1956. He served as general secretary from 1979 to 1986, and was called back again from 1993-1995.

For his work with Rotary International, Pigman was named a Sagamore of the Wabash in 1980 by then-Gov. Otis Bowen. He was honored again this year for his work with PolioPlus by Gov. Frank O'Bannon.

Pigman bought a summer home in Warren County during the early 1980s and moved there permanently from Evanston, Ill., in 1988. He quickly joined the Boswell Rotary Club.

"I always liked this area," said Pigman, who farms alfalfa hay on 18 acres near Ambia. "It's a wonderful place to live, and I love working outdoors. We decided to trade urban living for rural living."

Louise Furr, who will become the president of the Boswell club July 1 praised Pigman's knowledge, as well as his work.

"He's very outgoing," she said. "He's just a well-versed person. He is just a Johnny-on-the-spot. He's very valuable for our club."

Herbert A. Pigman

Age: 69

Current position: Vice chairman of the Rotary International PolioPlus Committee, and a member of the steering committee for the Global Polio Eradication Initiative. Pigman also farms alfalfa hay on 18 acres in Warren County.

Background: A native of Somerset, Ky., and graduate of Franklin College with a journalism degree. Member of Boswell Rotary Club since 1986.

Family: Wife, Betty.

Where to call: For information about Rotary, go to the organization's Web site at www.rotary.org The Boswell Rotary Club meets at 6:30 p.m. on Thursdays at the Boswell Community Center on Main Street. For more information, call 869-5295.