Have you lived in other places besides Lynden?
Yes, I’ve lived in Indiana, Georgia, Iowa, Virginia and Bellingham. My favorite place was Indiana, because my best friend, Brian, lived right next door.
What was your first job?
I did the morning paper route in Iowa. Had to get up real early in order to stay on time. Also, I did a paper route in Indiana for a short while. I loved riding bikes.
What other types of work did you do before retiring?
To get through college, I drove a bus route for a while. But in my main career, I was a general surgeon.
What was your favorite thing about the work you did?
Being able to travel. I was able to go to Kenya, Africa, for a surgical rotation, and it was amazing. A group and I went on a tour with a guide where we climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro.
What is one thing that you have been most proud of in your life?
My wife. Together, we’ve had two kids. One is in college and the other in high school.
What is the hardest thing that you’ve lived through, and how did you get through it?
The hardest thing I’ve gone through has been going through medical school. I had many long hours, especially in residency, and having a wife and a son at the time, it sure was tough. My wife was very supportive, and that is how I got through it.
What was your favorite decade to live in, and why?
Easily the ’90s. This was when I was going through medical school at Indiana University. This is around the time I met my wife, and we were married by ’98.
Who is your favorite author or musician?
One of my favorite authors has always been C.S. Lewis. I love Narnia. My favorite musician is Jack Johnson. I would always play his music while I was in surgery.
Do you have a favorite song, inspirational quote or Bible verse?
Yes, my favorite song is the Old Rugged Cross. My mom used to sing it to me all the time as a kid.
What is one life lesson that you learned from your parents?
My parents taught me to love God. My family and I went to church every Sunday, and we were raised to be very involved with our religion.
What is one thing most people don’t know about you, but you wish they did?
My love for animals. I have always had a soft spot for them. Growing up, I had a cat who we called T.W. (Teeny Weeny) [laughs]. I also have always been very involved with recreational sports. I was on an intramural volleyball team, loved to bike, and tried skiing and snowboarding for a while — well, until I broke my wrist and had to take six weeks off.
What is one thing that you like about living at CHCC?
The attentive and friendly staff members.