Senior World Member Bios

The arrangement of the photographs is totally random

Robert Houison

(Scoops)

New Zealand

International E-Mail Group  

Senior World

more information at scoops@ihug.co.nz

It is thought I am the 'red neck' and biggest 'know-it-all on the group' ..but I really only pick subjects that I have some knowledge of.

I was born in Auckland, New Zealand  at the start of WW2.   Those informative years was certainly moulded by my mother as Dad was away and overseas much of that time.  I was never a great student but enjoyed school and the sport.   Attained the necessary exams and spent the most boring two years of my life at university .. dropped out of commercial studies and
started the first telephone answering service in New Zealand.   Spent 25 years in the corporate world which through my position allowed me to visit many parts of the world.

I am presently semi-retired with commercial interest in ice cream retail and community radio stations.

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To UNsub or to RE_SUBscribe:    Rob  <scoops@ihug.co.nz>
Group Secretary .. George ..  <jirka2@ihug.co.nz>
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Jakob Bollier

Switzerland

I'm the smartest guy from Switzerland, born Jan 9th 1928, retired, an old duffer and I don't like to work, except in the kitchen, preparing meals for my wife and friends. I'm married to Sonja since 1957 and we have one son - he is a nice guy too. Besides preparing meals, I like to bake cakes and bread; an other hobby is my computer; unfortunately our dog Bobbi died  on Jan 27th 2008. As mechanic I was on construction job in Belgium, Germany, Italy and finally two years in Peru.My mother tongue is German with some knowledge in French, Italian, Spanish and English

I joined "Senior-World" in 2000 with the goal to learn English. In the meantime Sonja and I met several members personally, so in Munich and Hamburg in Germany, Edam in the Nederland, Paris in France, Lugano and Geneva in Switzerland. My home page shows interesting information about where I'm living and about S-W members http://www.jbollier.ch/index.htm Very emotional was Esther Immer's visit in Niedergoesgen with her female friend Kris McMullen

 I like to call friends all over the world by phone and Skype - jbo2655 - and webcam

Tom Fisher

USA

My hobbies are many and varied. I am a consummate do-it-yourselfer and usually manage to fix most problems around the house. I own a 69 MGB and love to tinker with it. I also belong to several Internet forums that pertain to MG cars. I enjoy bird watching and keep several backyard feeders. Weather permitting, I am an amateur astronomer of sorts and even ground my own 6” mirror for a Dobsonian style reflector telescope. 

I have belonged to the S-W group for well over 10 years. Within the S-W group, there have been periodic "gatherings" and my wife, Lillie, and I have been to five of these in Seattle, Washington; Halifax, Nova Scotia; Osaka, Japan; Auckland, New Zealand; and Sydney, Australia.Home Page: http://www.nlci.com/users/fishers/

George Katzer

New Zealand

Born in Czechoslovakia – 25, X, 25. Technical High School then graduating mechanical engineer at Charles’ University, Prague . Life under Nazi occupation followed by Communists takeover sent me to Austria, Germany and emigrant ship delivering my body and soul in New Zealand where I ‘graduated’ from wool spinner to Consulting Engineers’ assistant helping with superphosphate fertilizer plant design. Joined Shell Oil Company returned to Europe . With Shell in Holland , England , and Venezuela where I met Yvonne, my American teacher wife. We lived in California where our 3 daughters were born in Berkeley then after15-year stint with Shell, family emigrated to NZL.

NZL Department of Scientific and Industrial Research kept me busy until my retirement at 60. After couple other retirements from various ventures I am now really retired learning from S-W mail of much I missed in my busy life. Full detail at  

Bob Morin

 USA

I retired in 1993 to Phoenix, Arizona, but continued to spend 1/2 time consulting with several biotech companies in the Bay area of California for the next seven years.  Currently fully retired with my wife, Joanne, adult disabled daughter Karen, and four dogs in Glendale, Arizona,  where the 2008 Super Bowl was played. 

I have lived in many areas of the USA, in Western Canada and in Basel, Switzerland. I have visited all the states of the US except Alaska, been to Europe a number of times and to Japan for business trips.

Jean Will

Australia

MUCH later (1998) University of Queensland degrees in English and English Literature. Also work occasionally for Griffith University and do editing proof-reading for Cambridge Uni papers and books (daughter lectures there)

Lived and worked in NZ 1956 and early 1957; Canada 1957-1959. Travelled US, Canada, Europe and Britain. Left Brisbane in 2007 and now living North Queensland in rainforest. Main interests: politics, religious studies (world religions), literature, reading, writing, swimming.

Jean Will, Mission Beach, North Queensland

Dave Valentine

Canada

They have three adult offspring, Meaghan, who is married to Tim, and quit the travel business to become a pet groomer; Tavis who is a sales executive with a trucking company, and Andrew, a bar-tender and server in Toronto. 

The family lived 2 years in Kitwe, Zambia in the early 70's, Tallahassee Florida for 1 year in the late 70's, where Dave attended Florida State University, and 1 year in Edinburgh Scotland where Dave earned his M.Sc. at the University of Edinburgh. They now live in a small flat over their
son-in-law's garage, about 1 hour from Toronto and from Niagara Falls.

Dave's main hobbies are reading, digital photography, bird-watching and daytripping

Margaret Spedding

Australia

I was a Registered Nurse and Midwife until retirement in 1991. I now do voluntary work to support "Lifeline" (an emergency telephone counselling service) and in my local Anglican church. I also belong to a PROBUS club, a monthly book discussion club and a "dine out" group. My hobbies include reading, counted X-stitch, crossword puzzles, jigsaws, gardening and local theatre.

I have been a member of S.W. for about 6 years. Limited funds have prevented me from participating in overseas meetings but I enjoyed meeting Esther Immer, Tom and Lil Fisher on their visits to Australia and Australian members, Jean Will, Jan Hokin and Brian Schurr.

Patricia Schade

USA 

We have two sons and two daughters and 12 grandchildren Lived in many eastern states and in Singapore for a few years.

We are now in North Carolina after 17 years in Florida and 5 years in Savannah. We read, play golf, argue politics and travel a bit

Michel Beauchamp

France

I worked as a computing science engineer before I specialized in computer languages for telecommunication then in telecommunication itself in a big international company.

I used to live in Paris intra-muros. In 2007 we retired in Colomiers, near Toulouse in the South-South West of France where my hobbies are: Latin Calligraphy, Teaching computers, Reading, Watching them building the A380 and generally  enjoying life and good cuisine :-) I love Languages (dead or alive). Words fascinate me. Also, unforgettable .. chatting with SW members and meeting some of them in person which was in all occasions a great pleasure !

Marty Civin

USA

1951 rescued by the US Army and served in Texas in the armored cavalry; in the spring of 1952 I was sent to Korea as a replacement and ended up spending eleven months a company of combat engineers. Most of my working years after my military service were spent as a traveling salesman.

In June of 1955 I married  Dorothy Sigel in Worcester, Massachusetts. We have three children and eight grandchildren. Retirement in 1996,  since my retirement in 1996, I have kept very busy volunteering. I have written books about my family and life in Spencer in the 1930s,1940 and 1950s. I also until recently hosted a television program on our local cable access station, where I read some of my writings.

Silvia Nejedlik

Austria

My hobbies are music (especially musical and operetta), badminton, visit museums and exhibitions. I have a social engagement and help people if I can. I love all animals and if I could, I would have a big zoo :-)).  I visited Australia three times, I felt in love to this country, the climate and the Australian people;  have been to London and Paris. I like to talk in English - the shortest way to other people is  speaking in the same language. This is the first step to  understand each other.

Verbeck Smith

USA

I was born near Seattle in 1933, and have lived and worked in Washington all my life. Most of the years to age 18 were on a family farm. I earned music teaching degrees and taught 34 years, retiring in 1991 to sell computer systems to schools, then retiring a second time in 1994. 

Kathleen and I met on our first teaching jobs and married in 1960. We have two sons--one in Seattle and one in Florida. Kathleen found our original senior Internet group in 1996, and I joined in 1997 after visiting the founder and some members in The Netherlands. In our meetings and other encounters in the U.S., Canada, Europe, and Japan, I have met over 73 of our members. 

Kathleen died in 2003, and within two months, an apartment was available in the Hearthstone, near our home of 40 years, and also where we were raised. I carried out our plan of selling the house and moving here. I am very happy at "my last address" in a wonderful lake-view apartment. I still occasionally lock the door and travel. When here, I am very active in the residents' council and volunteering, including playing piano for many occasions.

Esther Immer

USA

Business  finance  was  my  university field of study.  After a finance career with a large corporation, I now have  have a small business consulting and tax practice on Camano Island where I work out of my home.  My current volunteer passion is  with the AARP Tax-Aide program, where I coordinate a seven state region.  Both my small business and my volunteer position fit neatly with my passion for world travel , history,  meeting the local people , and  making life long friends  from various countries such as Canada, Netherlands, Russia, Turkey, Australia, New Zealand and Japan, to name a few.  People from different cultures enrich my life and it is a delight to make  friends; in S-W and in the countries to which I have traveled. It is a special treat to meet S-W friends in person after getting to know them through group email.  

Ed  Argelander

USA

Attended Northwestern University – graduating  in Electrical Engineering at age 31; moved to CA. Worked for a company making laboratory instruments, which was purchased by DuPont, who moved me to Delaware. Retired in 1955. Worked as a consultant in ISO quality, spent time in
Tokyo , Egypt ,  Russia ,  and Hungary . Divorced in 1971 and remarried in 1980 – am still married; we have 7 children and 12 grand children.

Hobbies: History and philosophy; read only non-fiction, wife reads mysteries. We live in a senior community - with a cat. Call myself a secular humanist. Admire Bishop Spong and Jimmy Carter. Attend a very very liberal UCC church, with great social outreach programs. Embarrassed,  that USA is not member of World Court

Miki Nishino

Japan

I joined S-W on Nov. 1999 when Verbeck visited Japan and I have been enjoying to be a member of this wonderful group.

Seiji and I like to walk or go cycling in the suburbs of Osaka and the neighboring area. I am interested in literature including children's.

Mitsue Ueda

Japan

I am a Japanese; born in July 24, 19XX and live in Osaka, Japan, with my husband and a daughter.

I like to get acquainted with people all over the world, know various things in the world, see beautiful things and eat.

Miki who was in the same English class at that time, introduced me this group and joined in the end of Aug. 2002. I am always delighted by the people from other nations and cultures (SWers) on the PC screen in front of me.

I volunteer at Japanese class for foreigners and at the group to translate an annual report of UNIFEM (United Nations Development Fund for Women).

These days, with my mother, husband, sister and aunts, I visit a hot spring hotel about once a month and go out to have delicous meals about once a week.

Ichiro Nakano

Japan

After quitting a postgraduate course (Marxian economics) I became a researcher of the trade union center, Sohyo and worked for 10 years. Then I had worked for 30 years as a teacher of a junior college and a local university where I finished my undergraduate course (my major was the
relationship between labor problems and Japan's economy). Since I retired in 1997 I had worked for seniors in our area for a while. Due to my age and what my mother recently moved to a Care House which is very near from our house I have been withdrawing from those activities.

By coming across SU/SW about 10 years ago, my last days has totally changed. It has been a delightful and fruitful period for me, visiting the US, Europe and New Zealand. Junko and I have met number of splendid SW friends, unfortunately some have passed away. 

Barbara Kirby

USA

I'm 66 and have been married to Kurt for 39 years... we married on 
Christmas Day in 1970 after a 5 day courtship.

He's a Naval Academy Graduate who  will be 81in 2010. Mostly, he enjoys woodworking and giving me lectures!

Toshio Kozai

Japan

I joined S-W member in November 2001 and sorry for lurking becasue of poor English. I am almost a retired person and enjoing every good day thankfully with my wife as if these days are given lost- time in my life.  I'm serving as a council member of WFM-IGP  (World Federalist Movement-Institute for Global Policy) UN registered NGO (Non-Governmental Organization) and on which business occasion, I met Bollier in Geneva 2007 summer.

Jutta B. Dayle

Canada 

Although a school dropout, I followed my dream of becoming a university professor. Passing the equivalency exam got me into university. Following completion of a four-year honour's degree in three years, I went to graduate school in the United States to continue studies in anthropology and,
receiving a PhD, I could call myself an anthropologist. That was 21 years ago. I have been teaching part-time at local universities ever since. In 2002 I became a member of S-W

At home I live with my cat Amber (not the other way around!). My interests are wide-ranging, from reading to music to traveling.

Evelien Kousemaker

The Netherlands

Carol Burton

Ireland

My name is Carol Burton and I am 61 years of age.  I live in Dublin, the capital city of Ireland, Southern Ireland.  Belfast is the capital of the Northern 6 counties which is still governed by United Kingdom.  In 1997 S-W (or SU as it then was) found me and has kept me in its warm embrace ever since. 

I married an Englishman and lived in the UK for many years and had two sons who are now 37 and 32.  When I divorced my husband I moved back to Dublin where my extended family lived.  I really missed the ‘belly laughs’ when we were all together going over childhood memories etc.  I have a 5 year old grandson, Euan, who keeps me on my toes.

Currently I am still working full time as a Project Administrator/Financial Accountant.  The Project is a community based Drug Addiction Treatment Service.  As well as treating those who want to change their drug habits, we also treat the whole family, parents/partners/spouse, children and siblings.  Drug addiction impacts on all family members in the home.

Tom Telfer

Canada

I was born in Ingersoll, Ontario, Canada, in 1936. I completed my BA degree in Sociology and graduated from Teacher's college. Retirement came in 1992, as a head master in Special Education. 

Over the years, my wife Hazel & I, have visited 26 countries. We have had pen pals in England, for over 60 years. Our sons have their PHDs and both teach at university. We have 2 grandsons & 2 granddaughters. 

I keep busy with sessions at a gym, Yoga, curling on ice, playing 8 ball, riding bicycle, singing in our church choir and I am a past president of my Rotary club  

John (papai) Legge

USA

Mike Campbell

Canada

I was born in Cape Breton , a coal-mining region of Nova Scotia , in a tiny polyglot town called Dominion. In the late, my family, like thousands of others, packed their belongings and “went down the road” seeking work and a better life. We settled in New Brunswick , another Maritime Province . 

At one time or another, I have been a bellhop, newspaper reporter, editor, soldier, civil servant, where I was an Information Services Officer, a hobby farmer, owner/operator of a photographic studio and custom photo lab, and of late, in my favorite job description, devoted retiree. 

In my military role, I served with NATO in Germany , and in Egypt , Congo , and Cyprus as a UN Peacekeeper. Upon my return from a second tour in the Congo in 1964, I married a girl I met in New Toronto, near Toronto . On July 24^th, Lee and I will have been married 44 years, mostly due to her patience and sense of humor. We settled down near Saint John after I left the Service in 1967. We both love animals, especially dogs. 

My interests are military history, politics, geneaology, reading, communicating with others, golf, walking, swimming, and spending afternoons at Tim Horton’s with my cronies. My politics are center/left, I take them seriously enough to remain active in our NDP Party

Papish Gayle

Canada

I lived in a small town in Saskatchewan until I started high school at which time my parents and I moved to Saskatoon. I got married in 1965.  We are still married despite our differences.  We are opposites in every aspect of our lives which makes for interesting times.  The one subject we agree on is our children, Sharon, who is married and works as a instructual designer for an airline in Calgary and Darren, who is divorced and is presently serving his second tour of duty in Afghanistan which Canadian Forces Intelligence.  Sharon has given us a grandson, who is adopted.  He is part Jamacian and is 6.  Darren has given us 2 granddaughters, 16 and 12 and a grandson 7. 

After the children came I worked for 25 years at the School for the Deaf  with deaf and deaf/blind children.  I loved the work. I left the school due to ill health and shortly after that the school closed down.  I learned to be a "fence-sitter" as I had a middle management position  and that position can be a pain at times.  I managed to take half a degree at university while this was going on, but I mainly took classes to prove to myself I could pass the exams rather than for any desire for a degree.

In retirement I volunteer a couple times a week at a local hospital.  I am a reader of Canadian novels, WWII and spy thrillers.  I use to knit hats and mitts for the needy but osteoarthritis is making that difficult.  I am also writing a family history for the grandkids, and enjoy the researching  of our genealogy. This past summer I officially became a senior. 

Garth Slade

Australia

I was born in Bristol, England in 1930 and had an idyllic childhood with loving parents and lots of countryside around. At 11, I won a scholarship to a grammar school but was not  good student but managed to do well later. I joined the RAF as an apprentice in 1946 and was discharged in 1970. I was a technician in the electrical/electronics branch and I was always of the 'rough and licentious soldiery' and was never an officer or a gentleman.

Leaving the Air Force, I emigrated to Western Australia and got a job at a steel works as the supervisor of the Electronics Dept. In 1981, the steel industry collapsed and I was made redundant and I became a student nurse and upon graduation after 3 years, I advanced through the system to Level 2 Charge Nurse. I retired when I was 69. I have two children. a son of 49 and a daughter of 47. Between them their are 7 grand children. Wendy is my second wife and we have no children. Wendy works and I am her househusband. we have been together for 20 years.

Arthur Andersen

New Zealand

I am Arthur Andersen/Hull, I live in New Zealand, born in North Queensland, Australia. I am 70 yrs old, my early working life was spent in the Queensland outback on cattle properties; worked as a stockman plus many other duties.

I came here to New Zealand in 1967 and stayed. Am into my 2ndmarriage, 1st wife died of cancer.

I am a poet and writer of anecdotes based on the past from approx., 1938 forward. Mostly Australian; that is.

Siebren Klein

The Netherlands

Being born to Dutch parents on the island of Java, I survived the concentration camp and was "repatriated" to their home country in 1946. I could already read and make sums but had to learn history and geography of the new patria and soon after French, Latin, English and German. Mathematics was not my favourite subject although I was better in it than in languages. From 1954 I studied Physics and after my PhD I moved to Eindhoven to teach it. I stopped officially in 1996 and as a volunteer in 2000 when my place in the Physics lab disappeared completely in a reconstruction.

Hobbies: Music, photography, astronomy and more recently writing.

Passions: Three grandchildren from two sons.

Hicks Robert 

(Bob in Ohio)

I grew up in Hamilton, Ohio, 20 miles north of Cincinnati. I attended a rural high school and graduated from Miami Univ. in 1959.  

I followed my dad’s interest in erecting commercial and industrial buildings, but got sidetracked into building and operating self service and automatic carwashes. This business has miraculously lasted for 42 years and my son has pretty much taken it over in recent years, which leaves me time to winter in Florida and travel. 

Jean is my wife of 49 years and we have a son, Kerry, a daughter, Cheryl, and three grandchildren. Jean taught math in the public school system for many years.

My interests are my family and friends, tennis, reading, economics, travel, antiquing, fiddling with my iMac, and maintaining our wooded acreage, which is not as easy as it was when I was younger.