Where Eagles Go to Die

Born during the Great Depression, it seemed likely this child in the Infectious Disease wing of the Cook County hospital might not survive. But he did. Sometime after, his parents separated, then divorced, leading to an unhappy childhood, and dropping out of high school to join the army. This was one of several turning points in his life. Three years later, he is honorably discharged having served as a paratrooper, an eagle who took to the skies, and also as a member of the coveted Special Ops Army Airborne Rangers. Once again a civilian, he signed on as a deck hand and sailed to the Pribilof Islands above the Aleutian chain, and was later employed as a marine operating engineer. He went back to school to eventually earn BA, MEd, and ATA degrees. He has a soft spot in his heart for high school special education students and developed many ways to help them achieve academic success. He taught engineering students on the college level, and received a Fulbright appointment to England. His first marriage ended in divorce. His second lasted thirty years until his wife passed away. He remarried at age eighty-three and he and his lovely wife live in Seattle. In moving out of his home of forty years, perhaps as a final farewell, he witnessed and photographed a possible paranormal event. His optimistic attitude helped him through failures, serious health issues, and throughout a good sense of humor never deserted him. 12/14/2021: Born during the Great Depression, it seemed likely this child admitted into the Infectious Disease Ward of the Cook County hospital might not survive. But he did. Sometime thereafter, his parents separated, then divorced, leading to a disruptive childhood where he dropped out of high school and joined the army. This was one of several turning points in his life. Three years later, he is honorably discharged having served as a paratrooper, an eagle who took to the skies, and also as a member of the coveted Special Ops Army Airborne Rangers. Once again a civilian, he signed on as a deck hand and sailed to the Pribilof Islands above the Aleutian chain, and was later employed as a marine operation engineer. He went back to school and earned BA, MEd, and ATA degrees. He taught engineering students on the college level, and special education students on the high school level. He received a Fulbright appointment to England. His first marriage ended in divorce. His second lasted thirty years until his wife died in his arms. He remarried at age eighty-three. In moving out of his home of forty years, perhaps as a final farewell, he witnessed and photographed a possible paranormal event. His solid work ethic, curiosity, and optimistic attitude helped him through failures, serious health problems, and his good sense of humor never deserted him.