I completed my Master’s degree in Social Work from Southern Illinois University Carbondale in 1994.  I also have  Bachelor degrees in Elementary Education from Concordia University in Seward, NE and in Pre-Seminary from Concordia Senior College in Fort Wayne, IN.

Since graduating from SIU-C I have had the following work experiences:

• St. Mary’s Hospital Psychiatric Inpatient and Outpatient Depts. (1994-2000)
• Southern Thirty Adolescent Center- a residential center for teenagers with major life struggles (2000-2006)
• Dept. of Veterans Affairs- Behavioral Medicine Service (2006-retirement 12/2021)

I am a LCSW in the State of Illinois and I am a member of the American Association of Christian Counselors (AACC).

I have been married to my wife wife Ruth for 48 very blessed years (although there have been some “for better or worse, in sickness and in health, for richer or poorer).  We have 2 sons and 2 daughters, 3 children “by marriage” and 12 grandchildren.  In my retirement I enjoy helping my son farm, traveling, camping, gardening, raising fruit trees, and cheering on my favorite sports teams.