My Life's Journey

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Born in Ashland Wisconsin and moved to Rhinelander-Crescent Lake in the fall of that year.  Had a wonderful early childhood and was a regular visitor to the neighbors with my dog Zeus and often was treated with fresh bakery from grandma Boucier-no store bought pastry in her kitchen.  Attended first and second grade at the two-room Crescent Grade School on Fire Tower Road.  That's right there was no kindergarten at that time for the Town of Crescent.  Third, fourth and fifth grades were at the Gross School on Highway 17 and I had Mrs. Church for all three years.  Still remain amazed that she put up with me for that long.  She was a great teacher.  Finished my grade school experience at the Crescent Elementary School on Boyce Drive.   My freshman through senior years at Rhinelander High School afforded me the opportunity to receive an education from teachers who prepared me for college and develop lifelong friendships. The Class of '69's 50th reunion was awesome this past summer.

Some would suggest the early 70's were the best and worst of times.  The Vietnam war was front and center and divided college campuses.  I attended UW-Marathon County for my freshman and sophomores years pursuing a pre-business course of study.  Also, was member of the basketball team and earned all-conference honors as a freshman.  Transferred to UW-Madison in the fall of 1971 and earned my BBA  in Marketing in August 1973.  Spent the fall semester student teacher in marketing education at Middleton High School and secured a full-time teaching position at Cedarburg High School in the summer of 1974.  However, the most life-changing event of the 70's was I met my wife, Joan, in the summer of 1976 at Rosie's Rustic Aire.  We were married in 1979.  

I have a very difficult time putting into words the miracle of childbirth.  We were so very blessed to welcome the birth of our three children-Andrea, Chelsea and Erik during this decade. Family life was front and center each and every day.  If you haven't listened to the Oak Ridge Boys "Thank God for Kids", I suggest you do.  Another important member of our family was our first Chesapeake Bay retriever named "Chief."  At times a rather stubborn breed, but great family dog.  We now are enjoying our fourth Chesapeake.  Joan and I did work.  She was a nurse at the LaSata Nursing home.  I continued teaching marketing and completed my masters degree in educational administration at UW-Madison.  In the summer of 1989, I accepted an assistant principal position at Homestead High School.     

Fatherhood and school administration dominated the 1990's.  Our children were in grade school and enjoying their neighborhood friends.  Joan was the master of balancing motherhood with her nursing career, and I was learning the ropes in a high-achieving school district.  I continued taking post masters classes at the UW  working towards my PhD,  The ride from Mequon to Madison twice a week lost its luster quickly. In the summer of 1994, I accepted the principalship at Menasha High School. It was not easy moving our children from their childhood friends to a new beginning.  Overall they did quite well, but there were a few challenges.  The Fox Valley was a great place to live and work.  Our daughters live there today and Chelsea married a Menasha grad.  In 1998 we moved again.  This time back home as the School District of Rhinelander superintendent.  I would like to write this had a local boy returns home "fairy tale" ending, but it did not.  There were excellent moments and not so good moments.  And yes, moving the family again was not easy.  I think they would tell you today that the family moves we made did indeed make them stronger.  

"Faith, Family and Friends" are what I appreciate most from these years.  Our children were finishing their high school years and moving on college and work.  Joan was Doctor Koepell's nurse and then  on to a position in the ant-coagulation department.  I was very fortunate to serve as the president-principal of St Mary's Springs High School at a time when my faith values were challenged. I returned to public education as the principal at Nekoosa High School and retired from education in 2005.  These were the out-of-the-nest years for our children but the caregiver years for Joan and me. We were so very fortunate to have our parents in Rhinelander and be there for them.  After the passing of Joan's parents, we formally purchased the property on Crescent Lake which had been part of her family since 1950.  

Joan continued her RN duties for Ministry Health Care and then Ascension and has retired.  Children and grandchildren now dominate life's stage.  We travel as our children's or should I say grandchildren's schedules permit.  Our daughter, Andrea, works for  a major airline and we now and then take advantage of travel opportunities. Erik has remained in the area and serves as our caretaker and dog sitter when we are on the go.   My cousin and I share an off-the-grid cabin near Ashland with boat access to Lake Superior. If you haven't experienced a sunset on Chequamegon Bay, it should be on your bucket list.  In the spring assisting with a maple syrup operation has become a passion.  Lots of work, great comradery (six of the crew are from the Class of '69), and the final product is awesome.  I ran for county board supervisor in the spring of 2014 and continue to enjoy the challenges.