Married to Patricia Ann Burnett (LHS '57) in 1961.
Children: Debra, Norwalk, IA; Diane, Superior, CO; David, Lake Mills, IA. Six Grandchildren.
WORK: First and only career job; Maytag Company 36.5 years; Retired in December, 1997. Activities through the years: Church, Rotary Clubs, Community Center, Volunteer work, Community Theater. Recipient of The Maytag President's Service Award, which was given annually to the Outstanding Field Service Representative. It just happened that all the previous winners had served 10-20 years at Maytag. The minimum was 5 years with the company to qualify and I received it in my 5th year and was the youngest recipient to win it, at least for 20 some years there after.
MY GREATEST ACHIVIEMENT? None in particular. Just enjoying being a part of a company that was well known (now it has been sold to Whirlpool due to poor management in the last 5-10 years). I was in Marketing all my career at Maytag, starting as a Field Service Supervisor, jumping to Manager of Service Training for the entire US and Canada, and finally ending up in Commercial Laundry Sales, selling our coin operated washers and dryers. I currently volunteer at our computer club where we live, teaching classes and helping people with their computers.
INTERESTS: Have traveled to all 50 states (Hawaii 4 times, Alaska once), Mexico, Canada, 8 European countries, now travel 4 - 5 months each summer in our 39 foot motor home. Have seen much of America, most major cities, historic sites, 8 European countries and more.
LUCKY BREAK: Holding tickets on a flight I cancelled, which went down with no survivors.
CHANGES SINCE THE 50's: Have grown 50 years older and wiser for all the experiences I have had through life.
WHAT DO I MISS ABOUT THE 50's?: Can't say that I miss the 50's, really, cause we can't return to the past, we can only move forward and live each day of our life in the future. Many might say life was simpler then, but I wouldn't trade a minute of the past for what I have today. Living in a retirement community, where I can golf every day of the year, in the 5th largest metro area in America is a wonderful life.
REFLECTIONS: LIVE LIFE TO THE FULLEST, CAUSE WE DON"T KNOW WHAT TOMORROW BRINGS. I live with a cancer survivor and realize how fragile life CAN be, so take a deep breath, smell the roses (as they say) and enjoy life. I was just an average kid in High School, (but did win a gold medal as state champ in swimming, and was one of only two of our band of 120 members selected for State Music Clinic; equivalent to today's all state band) who bloomed in College and later life. Moral? Never quit reaching!
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