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Born in Sacramento, CA I came home to the family
farm in rural Auburn which remains in the family and begs for
attention during my free time. I graduated from Oregon State
University in forest management and served in the U.S. Army in
Vietnam in 1971-72 where I was a Section Chief of the 505 Counter
Mortar ö Counter Battery Radar unit attached to the 3/82 Field
Artillery, 196th Light Infantry Brigade.
Military service
changed my life forever, so much so that in February 2007 I made a
return trip to Vietnam in search of emotional
peace which I have achieved to some degree. It was my good fortune
to travel with VSO Officers and Board Members Chaix, Coyne, Keegan,
McKee, Gonzales, Mary Waterfield, and Lewandowski and I was privileged to see first
hand the work of the Friends of Vinh Son Orphanage. The
accomplishments of the Friends of VSO and the childrens' caregivers
resonated with me, in part, because I had contributed to the support
of an orphanage during my tour of duty decades ago.
Recently retired, I worked nearly
33 years at Sierra College, first as a Professor
with the Forestry Department and later as a Counselor in the Student
Services Division. Iāve never married but found my life work
fulfilling because I understand how educators help change the world
and make it a better place. I also understand how students return
many lessons in kind and in reality help their own professors grow.
If I have found success in life, it
may be due to my work ethic and zest for life. My days logging in
the national forests of California, Oregon and Alaska to finance my
education, my military service, a decade of seasonal employment as a
contractual wildland firefighter with the US Forest Service, teaching and
counseling, volunteerism in Mexico with fellow Rotarians, and
travels to Russia, Argentina, western Europe, Vietnam and around the
United States have given me an appreciation for mankind that has
helped me grow spiritually and in character.
Special interests include helping
combat veterans of the global war on terrorism reintegrate and
normalize, volunteerism in my community, skiing, bicycling,
community activism and the children housed in both Mexican and
Vietnamese orphanages. Humanitarianism is at once an interest and a
reward, and I am honored to have to privilege to assist with the
work undertaken by the Friends of VSO.
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