After high school I completed my BS in Nursing at the University of Evansville (1968).  Tim Wirtz and I were married at the end of my junior year in college.

I worked at Welborn and Deaconess Hospitals in Evansville from 1968-1984 (except for about 1½ years when I followed Tim to Okinawa, Japan in late 1968.  He was stationed there while serving in the U.S. Air Force.)  Most of my nursing experience was in critical care (medical-surgical and coronary care).  I served as staff nurse, head nurse, and assistant director of nursing. 

In 1984 I began working at Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (Evansville) as an associate scientist in the cardiovascular clinical research area.  (I actually took a pay cut!)  I worked with clinical researchers around the country who conducted trials using our investigational drugs.  I completed my Masters in Nursing (UE, 1986).  

Tim and I moved to Connecticut for a couple of years (1987-1989) when my job moved there.  I then transferred within Bristol-Myers Squibb back to Evansville and became involved with HIV drug research. 

I retired from Bristol-Myers Squibb in April 2004 as Associate Director of Product Services, Oncology.  My group provided medical services information for the approved oncology (cancer) and HIV drugs.  We also provided these drugs free of charge for qualifying patients through a variety of programs.  

I have been married to Tim for 42 years (1967).  Tim retired in 2000 from the state of Indiana as an Administrative Analyst for the Vanderburgh County Office of the Division of Family and Children. 

We currently have an aging female border collie/golden retriever mix (Shenai Bear), a younger huge male golden retriever (Dudlee), and 2 shorthair domestic cats:  MaryMargaret and Kee Kee.  I volunteer at the local humane society (and try not to bring any of the animals home).  I love to garden/landscape.  I am hooked on water gardening. 

8/2009

A biography, gee, where does one start? I do not know what to say. Aside from a few memories with which I do not wish to part, I do not live in the past. Whenever I am asked about my life, I have to laugh. I actually do not know. I really do have to stop and think about it and invariably, I always leave something out or get something wrong. I also find it difficult to write about myself. When ever I try I always get lost in old memories and then I fall into a longing to go back and make different choices, which would probably be a big mistake, as my life has been, for the most part, very good. Especially, since I have been able to rekindle all of the more important friendships from days long past. I have even had the good fortune of making a few new friends in the process.

In many respects I am not the same person I was in high school. Actually, I am not the same person I was a few years ago (but that is another story). I think it is because of that, I find writing a bio so difficult and for me so pointless. It would only tell you some of the places I have been but not who I am. Of course, I suppose for most people that would be more then enough. So here it is. Well, part of it anyway.

I attended Washington grade school from kindergarten through the fourth grade. From the fifth through the eighth grade I attended Saint Paul's Lutheran School.

High school was difficult for me. I was not prepared academically or socially for the experience. At best I was an average student. This was due mostly to a lack of interest and an unwillingness to apply myself to learning the material, which I felt at the time was generally presented without enthusiasm or relevance to life. However, I did have the good fortune of making some lifelong friends while roaming those musty old halls.

I receiced an Associate Degree in Electronic Engineering in '66 and in June of that year, I joined the Air Force with the thought of making it a carrier. However, it was not to my liking and I left in May of '70.

I was not able to find work in Evansville after leaving the Air Force. The local job market was saturated with unemployed Vietnam War veterans. So, I went back to school and graduated from Indiana State University - Evansville (now University of Southern Indiana) with a BS in Social Science. I had started as a Business major but found it much too boring so I switched to Psychology.

In 1967 I married Carol Wood a Bosse homeroom classmate. We are still together; although, I have not yet figured out why she puts up with me.

I took a "temporary" job in '75 at the Vanderburgh County Welfare Department that lasted for about thirteen years. We then moved to Connecticut for a couple of years (1987-1989) with Carol's job and back again to Evansville. I took a new Administrative Analyst position (mostly computer stuff) at the Vanderburgh County Office of the Division of Family and Children (new name for welfare) and retired from there in 2000.

Carol is now retired and we do some traveling and just enjoy life.

My interests include photography, recumbent cycling, writing, kite flying, good music, good movies, all things beautiful, and most of all, time with friends and loved ones.

I am for the most part happy and at peace, which I consider to be my most significant achievement.

8/2009

Terms of Use / Copyright © - All rights reserved / Webmaster