I was born in 1935 in Lamont, Iowa, a small town where everyone knew and supported each other. Growing up working in my family’s printing shop, I learned early the importance of community. Teachers and classmates noticed I was a good listener, and a nursery caretaker at my childhood church inspired me with her selfless care. Those experiences planted the seed for a life dedicated to service.
I was ordained in 1961 in the American Baptist Church and served as pastor and area director in Southeast Asia and China. For decades, I lived in Hong Kong and Thailand, traveling across Asia. In response to the Vietnam War, I was instrumental in setting up programs for local church leaders and street children and then later agricultural and health projects in Cambodia, especially in areas scarred by land mines.
When I retired, I chose Pilgrim Place, a community that values engagement and support. 16 Years after applying, I got a spot, and it was worth the wait. Here, I’ve served on committees, helped with fundraising through furniture moves, volunteered with the ICE Patrol to keep our schools safe, and driven fellow residents around for twenty years. We look out for one another, and that means a lot.
To me, service isn’t about recognition or gain—it’s about kindness that often goes unnoticed. I remember a cashier named Rene who paid for my groceries when I forgot my wallet, a simple act that showed me the ripple power of kindness. Being American, I believe, means being part of a bigger community where we reach out with respect and care.
Life hasn’t been without challenges—growing up with family struggles, and now seeing how automation and division threaten our society. But despite all that, I remain hopeful. Small acts of love, given freely, can make all the difference. That’s what gives life meaning and what I hope others will embrace.
I was ordained in 1961 in the American Baptist Church and served as pastor and area director in Southeast Asia and China. For decades, I lived in Hong Kong and Thailand, traveling across Asia. In response to the Vietnam War, I was instrumental in setting up programs for local church leaders and street children and then later agricultural and health projects in Cambodia, especially in areas scarred by land mines.
When I retired, I chose Pilgrim Place, a community that values engagement and support. 16 Years after applying, I got a spot, and it was worth the wait. Here, I’ve served on committees, helped with fundraising through furniture moves, volunteered with the ICE Patrol to keep our schools safe, and driven fellow residents around for twenty years. We look out for one another, and that means a lot.
To me, service isn’t about recognition or gain—it’s about kindness that often goes unnoticed. I remember a cashier named Rene who paid for my groceries when I forgot my wallet, a simple act that showed me the ripple power of kindness. Being American, I believe, means being part of a bigger community where we reach out with respect and care.
Life hasn’t been without challenges—growing up with family struggles, and now seeing how automation and division threaten our society. But despite all that, I remain hopeful. Small acts of love, given freely, can make all the difference. That’s what gives life meaning and what I hope others will embrace.
