As a result of a good territory and excellent staff, I was awarded numerous marketing achievement
vacations to Hawaii, Mexico and the Caribbean. During this time Barb worked for Sitmar Cruises and we
enjoyed cruises to Alaska, Bahamas and Mexico including an interesting trip through the Panama
Canal.

Changing careers, I joined Union Bank in downtown LA, directing their corporate business
development program. We negotiated with major companies having at least $500 million in sales and I
was fortunate enough to be awarded offshore marketing achievement trips seven years in a row. The
bank also sponsored my taking additional accounting classes at UCLA. Barb worked for University of
Southern California's Information Sciences Institute in Marina del Rey. We enjoyed living in Santa
Monica but retired to Springfield to be closer to our aging parents, as Barb is originally from Joplin.
My folks passed away but Barb's are doing well at age 93.
Since living in Springfield, I have been involved in community activities: serving as President of the
Master Gardeners of Southwest Mo., Treasurer for the County Extension Council, Treasurer for our
neighborhood association, and conducting computer classes for seniors. Last year, to keep my mind
active, I took Chinese language classes at Missouri State University. It was a challenge to be the only
senior in classes with young college kids. This year I developed and maintain a web site for my local
model airplane flying club.