Bob MCDOWELL

Served 12-years with the United States Army after being drafted in June 1970. During my tenure, I worked in the Public Information and Public Affairs fields, and later as a child abuse investigator for 9 out of 12 years before leaving military service.

Taking full advantage of the educational opportunities that the Army offered, I earned an undergraduate degree in criminal justice with a minor in philosophy, as well as a graduate degree in clinical psychology. (Not too shabby for a guy who squeaked through high school with barely passing grades). HA!

I had a very successful private counseling practice in Pleasanton, CA for over 20-years. It was known as "PTSD-Solutions & Counseling Center." I specialized in treating survivors of sexual-trauma & abuse and was also a primary referral source from Chapel of the Chimes Mortuary.

Being semi-retired now, I work occasionally as an independent a family & divorce mediator.

In the 8th - 12th grades, I was very involved in music and some drama productions. In the 9th grade, I played the part of the SCARECROW in our production of the Wizard of Oz and had the time of my life.

In high school, I was deeply involved in both the choir and the Notables. Music was pretty much my whole life, and I'd also been playing the piano since I was 5 years old.

At the time, my ultimate goal was to attend the Julliard School of Music and then to teach music at the high school level, perhaps in a small town
somewhere, BUT, sometimes things don't always go as planned or dreamed of.

I applied to Julliard and got my cherished Letter of Acceptance, but sadly, it arrived a couple of weeks AFTER I received my draft notice.

In reflection, that was the darkest period of my life!! I believe, however, that absolutely EVERYTHING happens for a specific reason.