EDUCATION: After DHS graduation, it was off to Wittenberg University, along with classmates Nick Buehler and Paul Lee.  We were recruited to be on the swim team.  I was fortunate enough in 1965 to be named to the NCAA Small College All-American Swimming Team in both the 100 yd. and 200 yd. backstroke.  I met the love of my life and future wife Carla at Wittenberg, and that was neat.  I majored in mathematics, graduated in June 1966… and was drafted a month later.  Then it was off to Lackland AFB, TX and Officer Training School.  I was a distinguished graduate and was honored immediately by receiving a Regular (as opposed to Reserve) Commission as a 2nd Lt.  The Air Force decided that more Air Weather Service meteorologists were needed to support the Vietnam War, so it took math and physics majors around the country and sent us back to college for 12 months.  I was sent to San Jose State University, CA and completed that training in June 1968. MILITARY SERVICE: After my meteorology training, I was promoted to 1st and was assigned to Lockbourne AFB in Columbus, OH.  I had a chance to see Carla more, and when she graduated from Wittenberg Univ. in June 1969, we got engaged.  Three months later I received my orders to Phan Rang AB, Vietnam.  I served in that combat zone for 1 year, was promoted to Captain, and was honored to be awarded both the Bronze Star Medal and the Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm.  During my R&R (Rest and Relaxation) week, I met Carla in Hawaii, and we decided to get married.  What a honeymoon that was, but I had to return to Vietnam for 6 more months.  Carla probably had it rougher because she had to return to PA to face her irritated mother and other family members, regarding our decision to elope.  I returned home in Dec.1970, and we repeated our vows again before her father, a Lutheran minister, in Palmyra, PA.  We had a big party in the basement, and everyone, especially her mother, was happy again!  I was assigned to McGuire AFB, NJ and our first child Christopher was born there in Sept. 1971.  I was doing well in the Air Force, was selected for a Ph.D. program, but decided instead to leave active duty to return to college… this time to the Ohio State University College of Optometry. OPTOMETRY CAREER: I started at OSU in Sep.1972, and in Jun.1976 received my Doctor of Optometry (O.D.) degree as a cum laude graduate.  While there, our daughter Amy was born in Oct. 1973.  I kept my military career going while at OSU by serving 3 years in the Indiana Air National Guard and then my final year on active duty in a USAF Senior Sponsorship program.  After graduation I was assigned to Andrews AFB, daughters Kirsten and Ingrid were born.  In 1981 I decided to leave active duty to purchase a private optometry practice in Lebanon, PA.  We moved to Hershey, PA where we had a home built and have lived here ever since.  I joined the Maryland Air National Guard’s 135th Tactical Clinic in Baltimore in 1981 and served with that unit as Chief of Optometry Services until I retired in 1997 as a Lt. Colonel.  My total Air Force service added up to nearly 31 years, and at my retirement ceremony I was presented the Air Force Meritorious Medal.  While living here in Hershey, our last two children Viking and Stefan were born….bringing the grand total to six!  We enjoy six grandchildren now; I still work part time in my practice, and must say that life has been great.