Sons in Retirement offers social activities for men

This little-known organization has its roots in the Bay Area. It was founded in San Mateo in 1958. Today it has 90 chapters (called branches) from Bakersfield to Redding. About 35 chapters are in the Bay Area.

Some chapters have 30 members, while the largest one, located in the South Bay community of Los Altos, has over 300 members. Some chapters meet in restaurants, others at country clubs or community centers.

SIR members gather for a variety of activities, including poker, hiking, bicycling, book exchanges, wine tasting, and golf. Golf is a big part of SIR.

“Sixty-four percent of the state membership comes to play golf,” said Andy Danver, 79, of Los Altos Hills, communications director for the state organization. Danver said SIR has about 8,500 members in total, so that’s more than 5,400 golfers, plus spouses and partners.

Bruce Karney, 71, of Mountain View, initially joined SIR when he was 60, and looking for golf partners. Karney said he now golfs three days a month with club members.

SIR is an organization for fun and socializing. It’s not a service organization, like Rotary or Kiwanis.

“A lot of research shows that social isolation is a problem for older people, but particularly for men,” Karney said. “SIR is about increasing the happiness of its members.”

Both Danver and Karney are retired Hewlett-Packard employees, and Karney said members in his South Bay chapter often join after careers at companies like H-P, Intel and Lockheed Martin.

The chapters hold monthly meetings with guest speakers. In summer, expect a picnic and in December, a holiday party. Dues are $45 a year.

Each chapter sets up committees to follow its members’ interests. There are a wide range of activities to choose from, including pickleball, fishing, digital photography, bridge, walking, BBQ and travel groups.

One recent SIR event was held at Golden Gate Fields, the East Bay horse racing track that’s expected to close in mid-2024. One hundred and sixty members came together there for a day at the races, Danver said.

SIR is called a fraternal men’s organization. Currently, women cannot join as members, but wives and partners are featured in the group’s promotional materials as full participants in the events. And both Karney and Danver said that women are welcome at all SIR events.

“Every single one of our events is open to women,” Danver said. He did note that there has been resistance to allowing women as members from some of the rural chapters.

Each chapter will have to change its incorporation documents to admit women, Danver explained.

“My personal opinion — it’s inevitable,” he said.

Anyone who wants to seek more information about the organization can contact SIRinc.org or call (925) 331-0444.