Comments:
After attending MU for 3 semesters I transferred to UMKC. I graduated with a BS in dental hygiene and practiced at Gregory & Wornall for 14 years before going into dental practice management. My career path took me to Assurant Employee Benefits (down by Crown Center) where I entered the corporate world as a dental claims customer service rep. I was promoted to supervisor of the dental managed care division where I supervised 17 women (a hothouse of feminine emotion!) I mentored 5 women to higher positions outside my division and I was the business expert for a in-house software development project which spanned five years.
I raised two wonderful sons. Neal and I were very involved in their various activities. They participated in music theater and we saw every performance. Ryan and Paul are both eagle scouts. I volunteered for the Cub/Boy Scouts for 20 years serving at the den, pack, troop, district and council levels. I edited the leader training manual for the council, served as district day camp program director for over 1,500 cub scouts and 150 leaders. I was part of many training teams and service programs and continued as pack committee chairman and merit badge counselor.
I was active in our church teaching Sunday school and vacation Bible school. Active church members wear many hats.
Neal and I were fortunate to be able to travel. We have been on many cruises and road trips. My favorites were the Panama Canal, Rhine River Cruise and a Mediterranean Cruise which included Rome. We are looking forward to an Alaskan cruise for July 2010.
Neal's career in the contract furniture world has had many bumps in the road. That industry is very vulnerable when a recession hits. After many mergers/acquisitions his position as VP Corporate Express was eliminated in 2002. 9/11 affected people in many different ways. Another bump was his cancer which was only 8 years after our son's cancer. Both are doing very well now.
Neal's career went on the upswing in early 2008 when he was offered a VP position in contract furniture in Monterey, CA. So I left my insurance position (it was time anyway) and now I assist him in his endeavors out here in sunny/foggy central coast where people complain about slick roadways during a gentle rain. We are re-establishing our lives in a little apartment 5 blocks from the Monterey Bay Aquarium. We miss our family and friends in KC but try to visit often. We are enjoying retirement as of 1/1/2018.
