Have you lived in other places besides Lynden?
I was raised in Miles City, Montana. I also did training in the Army in Texas, Kentucky, Tennessee, etc., but Montana was mainly where I stayed.
What was your first job?
I was in the Montana Army National Guard for six years, then I went to Montana State University for a couple years. I dropped out to start working on the ranch and do farming.
What other types of work did you do before retiring?
Farming and ranching for 40-plus years.
What was your favorite thing about the work you did?
It was interesting, and every day was different. Going from one thing to another, never the same, was nice. It was very hard work though — it was tough in that area of Montana. I learned to be self-sufficient.
What is one thing that you have been most proud of in your life?
Success in farming and ranching. There wasn’t time for anything else.
What is the hardest thing that you’ve lived through, and how did you get through it?
The 1980s — there were lots of droughts and storms that decade. Some of the winters I remember we had food and supplies dropped by airplane. It was 50 miles to the nearest town. In the winter of 1977-‑78, I remember we got 80 inches of snow. We had a snowplow, but it still didn’t really help to move all that snow. The cows would get out by walking over the fence. The snow was piled so high they just went right over the mound.
What was your favorite decade to live in, and why?
The 1990s, because there was better weather, better crops and better prices.
What is one life lesson that you learned from your parents?
To keep things on the conservative side, don’t go wild spending money.
What is one thing most people don’t know about you, but you wish they did?
I own eight cars. I like buying cars. I have one classic, a couple newer Mustang-type cars and a few others, all back in Montana.
What is your favorite meal?
I learned how to be self-sufficient; there are not many foods I don’t like. I love spaghetti, but you can’t go wrong with a nice beef steak or roast. A bacon cheeseburger is delicious!
What is one thing that you like about living at CHCC?
Washington has pleasant weather. It rains a lot, but it’s nice and green here. There is a great view of the mountains here, too.