Erwin and Carol Asam will receive Distinguished Citizen honors Saturday night from the Potomac District of the Shenandoah Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America. Toni Milbourne

CHARLES TOWN — The Potomac District of the Shenandoah Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America is readying for its annual fundraising dinner coming this Saturday at Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races.

At the dinner, the council will honor Distinguished Citizen recipients Erwin and Carol Asam, of Shepherdstown. The couple has been selected due to their exemplification of community spirit and loyalty that embodies the values set for by the Boy Scouts of America.

The couple arrived in Shepherdstown in 1977, where they purchased a stone house and a restaurant known as The Bavarian Inn. The purchase was appropriate, Carol said, as Erwin hails from Germany.

Erwin shared that he arrived in New York in September 1959, where he worked as a waiter there and later in Washington, D.C. While operating the only English restaurant in Washington, The Picadilly, Erwin met his future wife, a former member of the Women’s Royal Naval Service, who was then serving with the British Diplomatic Service.

The couple was married in 1972, welcoming sons Christian and David into their family in 1974 and 1976, respectively.

“I eventually hired staff, and with the help of local banks, we built hotel buildings on the riverfront,” Erwin explained, adding that Carol served as hostess.

Erwin also shared that in 1987, he was approached by then-Fire Chief Lee Morgan and asked to start a local Rotary Club.

He served as vice president to Lee’s president role, later taking the role to serve as the organization’s second president.

“I’ve served the community ever since,” Erwin said, adding that he is still an active member of Rotary and hopes to continue for a few more years. “I’m one of those darn immigrants who came to the United States with absolutely nothing.”

The two, since arriving in Shepherdstown, have felt it important to become serving members of their community. Members of Trinity Episcopal Church, Erwin helped with the kitchen there, as well as helping create the kitchen at the in-patient center at Hospice of the Panhandle. Both Carol and Erwin serve as Hospice of the Panhandle volunteers, with her focus settling on veterans, as a veteran herself.

Carol is also an active CASA of the Eastern Panhandle volunteer, being one of the original board members.

“I don’t know the word no, and then, I’m in for life,” she laughed.

She has served or continues to serve in many organizations and nonprofits, including Shepherdstown Daycare Center, the Shepherdstown Vestry, St. James School Parents Association and the board of AAA.

She was a co-founder of the Jefferson County Convention and Visitors Bureau, where she continues to serve, as well as serving with the West Virginia Hospitality Association. She has received such prestigious recognitions as West Virginia Wonder Woman from WV Living Magazine and was named a Woman of Distinction.

While the couple has chosen to contribute financially to many charities and causes, they stress that it is not just about giving money but about service, as well. They were, they shared, astonished to be contacted and asked if they would be willing to accept this designation of Distinguished Citizens.

“When you look at the people who have previously been selected — to be grouped among them is definitely an honor,” Carol said.

The two will be honored Saturday evening, where tickets are still available that will help support the Boy Scouts’ Potomac District. For more information, contact the Boy Scouts of America at 540-662-2551.