First of all kudos to you (Gene) for all of the work associated with planning the hard to believe 45th and the excellent website that I just visited for the first time. I doubt that I can attend for reasons that will become apparent but will pass along the following bio for whatever it's worth.

Someone once said that, "life is what happens after your planning to do something else." I am unsure that I had a plan other then the Good Lord attempting to direct this dummy but life has a way of happening. While completing my BA at MSU, I became involved with the Ralph Nader group and was a Nader Raider. The issue then was GM and the production of the Corvair (unsafe at any speed). Among other things, I received a proxy vote to attend the GM, Board of Directors annual meeting. At that time I had an opportunity to talk privately with a junior executive and questioned him about corporate responsibility. His only comment without even looking me in the eye was, "GM is my whole life." That statement has profoundly impacted what I have attempted to do my whole life and I might add that some influency from Father Fitz at O'Rafferty was important as well.

After college, I was spared the Vietnam experience because of a genetic condition with my back but, I saw the end result of it through friends who went including Rick Bozzo. Rick was a medic and saw a lot of death (I know that you experienced this as well with your brother) the only thing he told me that he did worth while in Vietnam was deliver a baby while he was on patrol in the jungle. After college, I worked for the state assigned to protective services in Wayne County that experience working with families and schools led to education so I then completed the teacher certification program and worked several years in the Muskegon and Grand Rapids area.

After completing MA's in Counseling and Ed Administration in 1980, I accepted the Associate Principal position at Lansing Catholic and 3 years later then became the Director of Development after completing master's work at Notre Dame in Business Administration of Non-Profits. Little did I know what that would lead me to later. While at Catholic, I was responsible for the establishment of the Father Mac Fund, the Catholic Educational Foundation and a $7 million capital campaign.

From Catholic, I briefly went to Olivet High School with the intent of becoming Principal but in April of 1988 my son, Jonathan (God's gracious gift) was born. Besides Down Syndrome, Jonathan has had now some 20 years of serious health issues that have required my wife, Carolyn and I to devote almost 24 hour a day care. Jonathan has also been my greatest teacher in life and because of him in 1992, I incorporated a 501 (c) called the Giving Tree Farm that provides vocational training, employment and recreatioanl activities for disabled adults. Today with 9 greenhouses and approximately 10 acres of seasonal produce the Giving Tree Farm is the largest year round grower of certified organic produce in mid-Michigan. In addition, in 2004 we built a licensed long term care supported housing unit for the disabled and I would only add that nothing is ever done without some good, bad and ugly politics along with money.

Also, for the last 20 years I have been a Counselor at Holt High School, live on 10 acres in DeWitt adjoining the 20 acres of the Giving Tree Farm. I have fond memories of 15 years going to all of the home football games at Notre Dame with Mike Heiler including the actual Rudy game in 1976. Mike lives now near Notre Dame and I have some communication with him, Joe Heiler and lately Bill Bergin. My only other adventure now is the writing and hopefully soon to publish children's book called the Perfect Christmas Tree that is dedicated to Jonathan. Best wishes to everyone.

Bob Bower