I retired in 2015 from Washburn University after teaching there for 32 years. I was awarded Emeritus status as Associate Professor of English. I am enjoying retirement: relaxing in a recliner, getting up late, reading fiction and nonfiction, going to movies, concerts, plays, and researching family genealogy. As they say, "Every day is a Saturday!" Health and balance issues limit the extent of my walking, but I try to take daily short walks using a cane. On 21 Jun 2023 I became a grandfather with the birth of my granddaughter, Mara June Lavery! I enjoy my visits with her--they remind me of my good times thirty-some years ago with my daughter.
Other Comments:
US ARMY RESERVE SERVICE, 1970-1974
US Army Reserve, 1970-1973. Individual Ready Reserve Control Group.
Activated for Annual Training, Jul 1971, with 686 Med. Co.(Ambulance), Ohio National Guard, at Camp Perry, Ohio. (I had just completed my freshman year at Kent State University, Kent, Ohio.)
US Army Reserve, 1973-1974. Standby Reserve Control Group.
Honorable Discharge, 1 Feb 1974. Completed 6 year military active duty and reserve service.
Other Memories The 686th was an Ohio National Guard ambulance company headquartered in Shreve, Wayne County, Ohio. At the time I was a sophomore at Kent State University, with my home residence being in Ashland County, about 60+ miles from KSU but adjacent to Wayne County. A relative of an old family friend and neighbor was in this unit. During my Camp Perry stint with them in the northwest side of state on the shore of Lake Erie, we received refresher medical training and practiced loading and unloading patients on litters into Army ambulances and Huey helicopters. Most of my ambulance duty was on the night shift. I also gained practice peeling potatoes and washing trays on KP and performing maintenance on company SOP manuals.
