Sons In Retirement (SIR) is a nonprofit public benefit corporation for retired men, devoted to the promotion of independence and dignity of retirement. SIR's purpose is to assist men in renewing former friendships and provide opportunities to make new friends through association with other retirees

The only requirement for membership is that a man be retired. Membership is open to men retired from FULLTIME gainful occupation, regardless of age, race, color or religion. We, your fellow retired men from nearly all professions including business, science, engineering, legal, medicine, and education, invite all who meet these criteria to consider joining SIR (Sons In Retirement).

             Founded in 1958 for the strict enjoyment of retired men, the SIR organization has grown to 176 branches with over 25,000 members in Northern California. There are no initiation fees. In lieu of dues, an opportunity to contribute to the expenses of branch is encouraged. Volunteers man all office and administrative positions from the statewide organization down through the Region, Area, and local Branch. The SIR organization exists strictly for the enjoyment and dignity of retired men.

 

THE BEGINNING OF SONS IN RETIREMENT, INC.

Realizing the social nature of man and his desire for the company of others, particularly those retired from gainful employment in commercial and professional life, the late Damian L. Reynolds conceived the idea of Sons In Retirement in the spring of 1958.

From time to time, three friends, all retired, would meet with Mr. Reynolds for a friendly luncheon. He suggested to those three, Messrs. Claus Hinks, Lorenz Hansen and Wallace Plummer, that they join him in his idea of a monthly luncheon club for retired men for the purpose of maintaining old friendships, making new acquaintances and avoiding the boredom caused by inactivity. A kickoff luncheon was held in the Clarimar Restaurant in San Mateo, California on July 29, 1958. Five additional friends of the four founders came to the luncheon. They were Messrs. George Rogers, Clarence Johnson, Conrad Lange, Lloyd Cartmill and William Torello.

 The name Sons In Retirement was unanimously adopted by eighteen members of the club at a second meeting on August 12, 1958. Consideration was given to several other names, none of which seemed to make clear the purpose of this fledgling group. Because most retired men wish for nothing to do with things pertaining to inactivity or laziness, the chosen name seemed to enunciate and give  ignity to retirement. Since the name of the group was Sons In Retirement, one of the original group proposed that the club’s executive officer be designated as the Big Sir, a salutation “indicating maturity and respect”. Second in command would be known as the Little Sir.

Rules for the club were adopted on October 28, 1958. Among them were that members were not to be solicited for donations for outside groups or purposes. On January 10, 1962, this was  further clarified to state solicitation was permitted only to provide funds to carry out the purposes of the club.

The corporation’s copyrighted insignia is the rooster. Mr. Reynolds stated, “Of all the creatures on earth, none expresses independence and dignity with more sureness and aplomb than a rooster. The majesty of his presence is felt in every barnyard, and when he crows, he can be heard for miles, not a fainthearted crow, but with a noise that calls attention to his majestic being.”

The new club’s first bulletin was called “Yes Sir” and its publication was financed entirely by voluntary contributions, a tradition which continues to this day.

The club’s slogan, “Promoting the Independence and Dignity of Retirement” speaks to the purpose and the long range goals of Sons In Retirement, Inc., that were set forth by our founders in 1958.

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