About Me

I am a husband of 26 years to a gorgeous and talented wife who I  love with all of my heart.  She is my one true best friend and with whom I most enjoy spending time.  We have two adult children currently enrolled in college with bright and hopeful futures.  We also have an adorable 11 year old Yellow Labrador who is the real boss of the house.

In June of 2009 I was diagnosed with cirrhosis and end-stage liver failure.  We learned that I would need a liver transplant within about two years if I was to survive.  On June 1st 2011 I received the needed liver transplant.  I now carry with me a precious gift, a legacy to a generous donor that has allowed my life to continue.

Following my transplant I have learned to find joy in each new day that has been given to me.  For some time my wife has told me that the song Viva la Vida by Coldplay reminds her of me.  The song’s title comes from a painting by Mexican artist Frida Kahlo,  ”Sandías con leyenda: Viva la vida” and translates as “long live life” or literally, “Watermelons with legend: The life lives.”  It is a reminder to live life and not surrender to the challenges that life presents, to remember, honor and preserve the “legend” or legacy of my donor.

Home is currently Rochester Minnesota, we moved from south-central Wisconsin in January 2011 because of my deteriorating health.  We moved to Wisconsin from the Portland Oregon area in 2002 because of employment.  But, the beautiful northwest is still our true home.  We have fond memories of long walks along the sandy beaches amid the rocky headlands and the smell of the moist salty air.

Following 15 months of disability I am now back to work as the Vice President of Information Technology for a mid-sized global company head quartered in central Wisconsin.  I traveled frequently throughout the US, Mexico and Europe.

One of my great passions in life is cooking.  While not my career I have been cooking for over 30 years.  During this time I have made multiple trips to France for cooking lessons and even had the rare opportunity to participate in a truffle hunting expedition.  I have also taken classed from renowned chefs in the Portland area.  Whenever possible I love to do dinners and events for family and close friends, these have ranged from simple intimate dinners to multi-day catering for 200 people.  I still believe that the reason my wife married me was because of my cooking.

On the downside of my forties I decided that I wanted to share my thoughts and stories with the world as I fight to survive and receive a liver transplant.  This blog something between “This I Believe” and “The World According to ‘Me’”

I hope you enjoy what I choose to write.  If you have any suggestions let me know