I left the rest of you in our sophomore year because my parents decided I was not doing well at MHS. They were right. I struggled at The Hotchkiss School and did better at Brown University where I graduated in 1959 not sure how I wanted to spend my life. In hindsight, I should have majored in geology, but instead I got a degree in economics and a wife. Marge (Margaret Whitaker) and I were married in 1958 and after graduation moved to Louisville, KY to work for American Commercial Barge Lines. I have always been around boats, and even worked on river tow boats during high school, so this seemed like a way to stay connected. Well, the company had labor problems and forgot about their management trainees so I joined the army reserve before I got drafted.

That sojourn protecting the gold at Fort Knox over, I started over and found a good management training opportunity at Texas Gas Transmission Corp., Owensboro, KY. This Fortune 500 natural gas transmission company was spread from offshore Louisiana to Cincinnati, OH and I worked on parts of all of it in the early years. Sometimes I worked over it doing aerial survey and patrol (lots of hours towards an eventual pilot's license). Finally, I moved into purchasing where I stayed through my 30 years with the company. My final assignment as purchasing agent ended too soon during the third take over. That job elimination take over got most of the older workers (50 and up). Saying good by to many friends who built the young company (founded in 1950) was very difficult. Time to start a new career.

During those thirty years Marge and I had two children, Tommy (40) an architect living in Anchorage, AK, and Holly (36) a free spirit doing contamination remediation work in Coeur d'Alene, ID. Marge pursued a career in education as an elementary teacher. With this base, we purchased a small motel in Estes Park, CO. at the eastern entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park.

For many years we spent vacations camping and hiking in Colorado and thought this to be a good way to really get into the mountains. We found out quickly that a motel is a 24/7 job and a tough way to make money in a short season resort. We sold the motel and I started working for the park as a volunteer interpreter in 1990. Marge and I were together as volunteers all summer and back in Owensboro, KY in the winter where I coached youth ice hockey. A great life! The challenge of preparing and presenting engaging and fun interpretive programs led to ongoing study of natural and cultural history and geology of the area. We were part of a terrific cadre of volunteers and seasonal staff and met many interesting visitors over the years. When Marge started having health problems in 2000, we opted for a lower elevation and moved to Ludington, MI during the summers to volunteer in interpretation at Ludington State Park. Last year I was asked to become chief interpreter for the Lake Michigan historic rail car ferry "City of Milwaukee". The staff for this National Historic Landmark is struggling with adaptive reuse to help the ship earn her keep. Again, we joined dedicated volunteers and a small but growing base of visitors interested in ecotourism. I have truly found something that I thoroughly enjoy. Part of it is keeping the brain active in research and part of it is the smile or thanks at the end of the day from folks that have learned something new about their world.

Along the way we moved to Leesburg, FL (near Orlando) during the winter months for Marge's health. Keeping busy here is volunteering for a community theater. For thirty years in Owensboro, KY. I was active in community theater as actor, director, president, and behind the scenes. Theater is something that is in my blood and I can't leave it alone.

Over all those years I stayed close to boating. We have owned many boats, but the one we will remember is "Interlude" our 38' Morgan deep water sail boat. We sailed her in the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean.

Not a very impressive life by any measure, but one that has made us happy. The things I have done were challenging and interesting and never boring. If that is a measure of success, then I measure up. I realize that most people would find my life insignificant. We have been married 45 years, have 2 healthy and happy kids (no grandchildren though), and a chance to enrich the lives of others. It is enough for us!