Randy (Randal Eastman)

Randal is a person with warm heart and cool mind. When he was in the position of Special Representative to China, he described himself as a “technocrat” of RI. His effort of creating a database and committees in the district level established a solid basis of Rotary China’s development. Pagoda portraits the person behind the membership.

When did you join RCS and who was your sponsor?

1998 – I “sponsored” myself, by linking up with Frank and a couple of other former Rotarians to review the old Shanghai club as a “fellowship of Rotarians and like-minded individuals”, which we then called the “Expatriate Rotarians & Friends Shanghai”. I was President of this band of hearty adventurers until RI formally accepted us as a provisional club in June 2001.

Where are you hailing from?

Dundas, Ontario – a small town of about 15,000 in south-central Canada.

What are you doing professionally?

Most recently leading a chain of urban day spas in China. Now I am working on my Russian “in-between assignments” settling into life in the majestic city of St. Petersburg, Russia.

What would you like to share with our readers about your family?

All the members of my family are even more stubborn than I am.

What are your hobbies, apart from RCS?

My quirky hobby continues to be facilitating humanitarian projects with my friend of 18 years, Dr. Jong Sang Hun, in North Korea. Why? Because it is hard but also possible, and because the people of North Korea are in extreme need of friends, of communication, and of food and energy security. I often think to myself, “there but for the grace of God go I.”

How do you recharge your battery?

I enjoy cooking dinner – with a bottle of wine nearby. Years ago I was taught by Vinay, an Indian Rotarian in London, Canada, to cook with a bottle of Scotch nearby, but I prefer red wine or craft beer.

Best/Last book you read and why

Sapiens – by Yuval Noah Harari. An extraordinary book that changed the way I see life and society. A mind-blowing book.

What is your favorite place in Shanghai?

Bella Napoli. Because our former member Nello (from Naples) introduced me to real Neapolitan pizza, and I have never looked back since.

What is your advice to any new member of RCS?

Just do it. Volunteer eagerly for any role. It doesn’t matter what it is, or if you don’t know what to do. You will figure it out and smart people in Rotary have already setup well-defined structures and systems to facilitate. The only thing needed – is YOU.