I took early Retirement July 1, 2000
I farmed 1954-1968, 1971-74 helping Dad until he retired in 1976. I also went back to work at Kato Engineering about 7/1971. I started attending college part-time 9/1971 through the help of the GI bill. I received my undergraduate B.S. from Minnesota State University,
Mankato (MSU), majors: business and finance; double minors: economics and political science 12/1977. I continued my education while working fulltime and qualified for my MBA 8/1982. September 1974, I went into the Insurance and Finanial Services Industry: Financial, Retirement, Investments, Business and Estate Planning. Title: Financial Advisor. I took early retirement 7/2000 and fully retired March 2003. I live on the SE side of Mankato, about 1 mile east of MSU.
Hobbies: Classic Corvettes (they have horse power too), Corvette club monthly events, horses, dancing, reading, NASCAR, enjoy the Vikings, Timberwolves and Twins. I am now a Volunteer Advocate for several organizations, thus keeping my retirement still busy with community service.
I have 3 daughters, who all live in the immediate area of Mankato:
Darcy is the oldest born 8/1974; she is married, 2 sons, currently fulltime housewife; husband an electrical engineer, Both graduated from South Dakota State University, Brookings SD (SDSU) in 1998. Jon Bormann designs electrical substations and add-ons to existing substations. The company he works for (Electrical Consultants Inc or ECI; has there home office in Billings, MT). He designs electrical power grids from the electrical source (hydro, coal, gas, solar, wind farms, nuclear, etc) to the substations; also they do add-ons to existing electrical with their electrical grids, utilitiy lines and substations. They live about 3 miles south of Mankato.
Darcy's Hobbies: Show Quarter Horses and Pony of Americas (POA) at western saddle club events and breed shows. She also makes craft items for sale at craft shows and Mall kiosks.
Amanda is next and born 4/1981.She is a pharmacist at Walgreen's here in Mankato. She received her undergraduate B.S. from Minnesota State University, Mankato, MN (MSU); doube majors: accounting and business management, "summa cum laude", 5/2005. Then shereceived her "Doctorate of Pharmacy" from South Dakota State University at Brookings, SD (SDSU), 5/2009 "summa cum laude". Amanda is married with 1 daughter. Val Giuttari and Mandy live in Mankato.
Mandy's Hobbies: Show Quarter Horses and Pony of Americas (POA-helping her 2 nephews) at western saddle club events and breed shows, and makes crafts when she finds the time.
Cassy Jo was born 12/1982. Cassy is assistant retail store manager at Walgreen's in Mankato. She received her undergraduate B.S. in Business Management 5/2007 from Minnesota State University, Mankato (MSU) cum laude. Cassy also lives in Mankato.
Her husband, Joe Stephanie, flips fixed up homes. She has a step-daughter, Izabel.
Cassy's Hobbies: Horses, cats, dogs plus making and selling crafts in her spare time.
I graduated high school 5/1966 at St. Clair, MN. A small town about 10 miles SE of Mankato.
I worked for Kato Engineering Company now owned by Emerson. I helped build electrical motors and electrical generators (factory job) until my enlistment May 28, 1968. You may of been on an Army base where Kato Engineering stand-by generators where used or on Navy Polaris submarines. I received a year early out because of - hardship discharge - to farm until my Dad's health problems improved. Honorable Discharge from the US Army Security Agency (ASA) on Aril 8, 1971.
Other Comments:
My posts while enlisted:
Ft. Leonard Wood, MO (5/1968), basic traing; Ft. Devens, MA (8/1968), teletype intercept, 05K; 7th Radio Research Field Station (7th RRFS-Ramasun Station 5/1969-April 1970) Udorn, Thailand where I did on-the-job (OJT) training as a non-Morse Cummunications Analysist, 2H2; Ft Devens, MA (5/1970) for additional schooling in: non-Morse Communications Analsist, 2H2; 2 Rock Ranch, Petaluma, CA 8/1970); Ft. George G. Meade,MD (1/1971) working with NSA on A-538 Special Activities. I received a "hardship discharge" April 1971 because of my father's health and the need for me to come home to manage the farms.
My schooling and work: Morse code, Teletype Intercept, Non-morse Communications Analyst and working with NSA on A-538 Special Activities Analyst.
Medals and Badge: National Defense Service Medal; Vietnam Service Medal; Vietnam Campaign Medal; Expert Rifle Badge M14.
2009, Disabled American Veterans (DAV), Chapter 10 (Member) (Mankato, Minnesota)