My association with WindChill began with my conscience. For me, my conscience is my lovely, caring wife. She said we needed to help and that’s what we did. I did my best to contribute in whatever ways my skills and knowledge allowed. As long as I can remember I’ve always wanted to contribute to a greater cause, and the Legacy mission is one of those.
Throughout my life I’ve tried to live by a set of values. They are best summarized by Air Force General (retired) Ron Fogleman’s statement of Air Force core values: integrity first, service before self, and excellence in all we do. These are guiding principles that I bring to my work with the Legacy.
I received a bachelor’s degree from the United States Air Force Academy and a Master’s degree from the University of Illinois. Both degrees are in civil engineering. During my 30-year military career both in the Air Force and the Air National Guard I was a C-130 “Hercules” pilot for the Air Force and an Air National Guard technician working as the Base Civil Engineer (a position much like a community public works director) at the Air National Guard base in Duluth, Minnesota. I continue serving the public as the Director of Buildings & Grounds for the School District of Superior. I also served a number of years in my church as both financial secretary and treasurer.
I am extremely proud of how my two children, Paula and Mike, have grown to be fine young adults. I also consider Polly’s three daughters as my own children. They are all dedicated, successful adults, with Mike following in my military footsteps as a graduate of the Annapolis Naval Academy and going on to flight school with the U.S. Navy. We share our home with two dogs, Tucker & Emma, and one cat, Kiisa. Of course, we have our share of transient visitors from the animal kingdom who frequent our feeders, which we like, and our gardens, which brings us dismay. We have a blessed life and want to share it with others.
What I most remember about WindChill was his patience and calmness while we went through the arduous process of physically manhandling him in order to lift him to his feet. He always had an air of sentient dignity about him even when his circumstances would not appear dignified. I could see it in his eyes. I could also see his obvious pleasure at being upright just like all the other horses in the barn. It seems WindChill has charged me, along with others, to help other horses in need. He made me understand more clearly how we are all connected, and how we all need to help each other.
