 |
|
|
Following graduation from high school, I attended the University of Minnesota majoring in engineering. Feeling a need for something more in life, I stopped my academic pursuits and joined the United States Army in 1967. The army saw fit to assign me to repair FADACs (Field Artillery Digital Automatic Computer). Upon completion of the FADAC MOS (Military Occupation Specialty), I completed the instructor's course and taught FADAC repair prior to my assignment to Vietnam. Upon completion of the overseas tour, I was honorably discharged from the army and returned to St. Cloud State College. After attending one more year of college, the opportunity to purchase a restaurant intrigued me to point of once again interrupting my education for a new pursuit. I sold the business after six years and worked for the Soo Line Railroad for ten years where once again I started in the computer industry as a Junior Programmer, progressing to Programmer, and Senior Programmer/Analyst. Following a buyout of the Milwaukee Road by the Soo Line and the Soo Line being bought by CP Rail Systems, I searched for another position with |
         |
| a different company. Norwest Bank
(now Wells Fargo) was the next stop where I worked for four years as a
Senior Programmer/Analyst. I received a call at Norwest Bank from
a former Soo Line supervisor asking if I was interested in working for
the leading Twin Cities area copying company. After a two-week notice,
I joined the firm of Copy Duplicating Products in Richfield, MN.
Four years later, I received a phone call from an individual I knew from
my volunteer activities asking me if I was interested in leading the Information
Resource Department for the Minnesota Veterans Homes. Without hesitation,
I gave my two-week notice and joined the Minnesota Veterans Homes as Director
of Information Systems where I have been employed since 1994. The
Minnesota Veterans Homes has given me the opportunity to fulfill my two
favorite ambitions – helping veterans and work with computers!
I have a variety of interests. I feel a strong obligation to the United States of America and its nation’s veterans. This feeling is part of the reason that I formed IDK Ventures. It allows me the opportunity to give back to the community through a variety of organizations by developing informational and educational web sites to inform the public and the organizations goals and members. I became active in the Veterans of Foreign Wars in 1972. I have served in nearly every position in my local VFW Post over the years and have been named All-State Post Commander, All-State Post Quartermaster, and achieved Aide-de-Camp honors. I was the editor of the Post Newsletter that won first place honors in the National VFW Post Newsletter contest. I have also served the District level of the organization in many positions including District Commander of the largest number of posts in a district in Minnesota. I was again honored as the editor of the District Newsletter that won the first place award in the National VFW District Newsletter contest. I have served as chairman of several committees including National Security and Voice of Democracy. I have served on the State level of the organization in several positions including State Commander in 1987, achieving the coveted All-American State Commander honors. In addition, I have served as Chief of Staff and Chairman of several committees including the State Finance committee, on which I have served for nine years, chairman of the Voice of Democracy committee, vice-chairman of the University of Minnesota VFW Cancer Research Center committee, and co-chairman of the University of Minnesota VFW Pharmacology Program committee. I have been active with the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, serving on the National Council of Administration (Board of Directors) for two years as the National Council Member representing District “E” and one year as the VFW Inspector-General. I have chaired the National Security and Foreign Affairs committee, served as the first chairman of the Homeless Veterans committee, vice-chaired the National Security committee three times and the Voice of Democracy committee once. I have also served as a committee member on the Finance and Internal Affairs committee, By-laws and Resolutions committee, Community Service committee and the POW/MIA subcommittee. I remain active within the community. I served for four years on the volunteer fire department and served on the board of directors for the food shelf for two years. I am currently on the township planning commission, a member of the American Legion, Vietnam Veterans of America, International War Veterans Alliance and volunteer at the Veterans Administration Medical Center. My favorite activity is traveling (my favorite destination is Hawaii). My most awesome visited site is a three-way tie between the Grand Canyon, AZ; Waimea Canyon, Kauai, Hawaii; and the volcano fields on the Big Island of Hawaii. My most inspirational visited site also produce a three-way tie with the Pearl Harbor Memorial in Honolulu, Hawaii; the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, D.C.; and the 101st Airborne Memorial in Bastogne, Belgium. I enjoy classic cars (I have a 1955 two-door Chevrolet Bel-air sedan), drag racing, football (season ticket holder to the Minnesota Vikings) and golf. To unwind from a busy schedule, I pursue model railroading, amateur philatelic collecting, and rose gardening. My rose garden has over 30 varieties of hybrid tea roses from Jackson and Perkins.
My favorite and most enjoyable activity remains traveling with my wife
Jane. It gives us time to be together. It seems like yesterday
when were dating. It is hard to believe that we have been married
since 1979. Life is good!
[ Home ] [ Web Design
] [ Philatelic Sales ] [
Military
Tribute ] [ About Us ]
|
|
