King Bio
Rick King, Past Rotary International President, 2001-2002
Richard D. King is a past president of Rotary International, and the senior partner in the California law firm King, King & King. He earned undergraduate and law degrees from the University of California at Berkeley where he is a member of the California Club and the Order of the Golden Bear. He taught law at Brigham Young University. He is a distinguished military graduate of the University of California and served as captain in the U.S. Military Intelligence. He received an Honorary Doctorate in Law from Hanyang University, Seoul, Korea.
A trial lawyer, Mr. King belongs to several legal associations including the American Association of Trial Lawyers. He is admitted to practice in both Utah and California and before the Supreme Court of the U.S. He served on the board of directors of the Eden Hospital Foundation, the Woodminster Performing Arts, and Oakland Ballet. He is a trustee of the City of Hope, and received the City of Hope “Spirit of Life” Award.
He is an elder and officer of the Mormon Church and an active fund-raiser for the Boy Scouts of America. He holds the Chevalier Degree, the Legion of Honor and is a member of the Hall of Fame of the Order of DeMolay. He is a recipient of the Distinguished Citizen Award from the United Portuguese of California and is a recipient of the Distinguished Public Service Award from the Brigham Young University Management Society. He has been honored by some 50 associations, by the President of the U.S., and by many countries across the globe for his community and charitable service. He served as the Executive Director of The Wheelchair Foundation.
A Rotarian since 1968, he is a member of the Rotary Club of Niles-Fremont, California USA. He has served as a trustee of The Rotary Foundation, director and as chairman of the executive committee of Rotary International’s board of directors. Mr. King has received the Rotary Citation for Meritorious Service and the Distinguished Service Award for his support of humanitarian and educational programs of the Rotary Foundation. He is a recipient of the PolioPlus Pioneer Award.
One of Rotary’s most popular speakers, Mr. King has addressed Rotary International Conventions, Assemblies, Institutes, Seminars, Conferences and Rotary Clubs in every state in the USA and some 100 countries.
Mr. King is married to Cherie Kay King. They have two grown sons and reside in the Mission San Jose area.