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While I was attending Valparaiso (Indiana), learning to be an electrical engineer, my parents moved to NY state, so it was difficult to remain 'connected' to Chenoa. Then I went to Stanford (CA) for 2 years. I finally became cured of being a student and got a real job at GTE Government Systems in the heart of silicon valley. That job fit me so well, and I became engulfed by the climate and diverse way of life in the San Francisco Bay Area. So I became the "prodigal" --- with little contact with you good folks back in Illinois. I did see Jerry several times during earlier years and Alain came by once on a visit to Stanford. 30 years later, I retired from GTE and joined a small firm nearby (www.eooinc.com), working as few hours as I choose, doing mostly the same type of work (electronic design) I enjoyed so much at GTE --- except without the red tape and impersonal nature of a big company. Even more profound changes have occurred in my life in the last decade--- buying a house here in CA, doing an extensive remodeling, and 2 years ago buying a 'penthouse' condo on Lake Okoboji in NW Iowa - 10 miles down the road from where I was born. I think they call it "nest-building." It just took me longer to get around to that than the rest of you guys. Which brings me to the photo above. Who's that young lady in the picture with ol' Dave, you might ask. That's Kathy Wenzel, a remarkable Minnesota gal, a long-time family friend, who has consented to be my bride this June 16! We'll spend summers on the lake in Iowa and winters in the Bay Area for the next few years. We'll both be able to do some telecommuting with our current jobs, but only as little as we have the inclination to do. There will be lot's of other distractions to appreciate ---families, friends, church, and other volunteer activities --- to say nothing of just lying in bed at sunrise, watching the shadows on the walls of the condo, of squirrels dancing through the tops of the oaks outside. Life
is more interesting on the downslope! |
