Have you lived in other places besides Lynden?
My twin brother Daniel and I were born in Sebeka, Minnesota. I later lived in Shelton, Washington, then moved to Bellingham, Washington, in 1960. I lived in Bellingham until I moved to Lynden.
What was your first job?
My first job was at an insulation company where I made fiber from wood. I was 18 years old.
What other types of work did you do before retiring?
I worked at Intalco in Ferndale, Washington, for more than 30 years. I ran a bridge crane that was used to move heavy loads inside a building.
What was your favorite thing about the work you did?
Getting a paycheck. (Said with a laugh.)
What is one thing that you have been most proud of in your life?
I am most proud of getting married and having a son. When I was 30 years old, a friend kept bugging me to go on a blind date. I resisted for about six months, then I finally agreed just to get my friend off my back. I was with Diane for only 15 minutes before I knew that she was “the one.” We were married about a year later, then our son, Matt, was born in 1966.
What is the hardest thing that you’ve lived through, and how did you get through it?
The hardest time was right after we got married because we were so broke. Things gradually got better, and we made it through.
What was your favorite decade to live in, and why?
I’d say the 1980s was my favorite decade. I was old enough to know better but still able to enjoy life.
Do you have a favorite song, inspirational quote or bible verse?
My favorite musician is Johnny Cash, and my favorite song is “Walk the Line.”
What is one life lesson that you learned from your parents?
The most important lesson I learned from my parents was the importance of hard work.
What is one piece of advice that you would give a 16-year-old person?
I would tell them to stay away from drugs and alcohol.
What is one thing most people don’t know about you, but you wish they did? There are a few things:
- I was a runner; I used to run one hour a day.
- Building furniture was a hobby. I still have a table that I made in my room.
- I really like to cook. I started cooking in my late 30’s and cooked things like French onion soup, spaghetti sauce from scratch and biscuits. Diane and I hosted a lot of dinner parties.
What is one thing that you like about living at CHCC?
I’m an outdoor person, so one of my favorite things to do here is sit in the courtyard and soak up the sun.