I retired from CUNA Mutual in July, 1994, and started to pursue an interest in internet web site design. It's hard to imagine that in 1994, the internet was still very rudimentary, but I found an opportunity to build a crude web page on a server in Amsterdam, and it just kept getting more interesting from there. I've designed over 25 web sites that are now operating on the internet, including the CM Retirees web site. Most are in the form of donated time and talents to various non-profit organizations, but I always have at least a couple commercial projects working at any given time. One of my early projects was a web site on boating safety. I was trying to think of an interesting subject as a basis for a site, and was very involved with the U. S. Power Squadron organization, and there was no web site on the internet that I could find that dealt with boating safety. So I built "Commander Bob's Boating Safety Notebook". This site has had over 100,000 visitors, and has won many awards, including the top award given by the National Safe Boating Council in 2000, the "Educational Achievement Award". In addition to designing and maintaining web pages, I'm an officer in the Coast Guard Auxiliary, and am qualified as a master instructor, boat crew coxswain, and vessel examiner. I take part in a volunteer capacity as well with Special Olympics and other advocacy groups for adults with developmental disabilities, although my wife, Judy, has taken the lead in that work. She has been a champion for people with developmental disabilities for most of her adult life, and I've tried to lend her a bit more support with the newfound time available in retirement. Shortly after retiring, I also answered an ad in the local paper to become a "lock tender", and so I work as a "fill-in" at the Dane County locks in the summer, controlling the movement of boat traffic between our two lakes. It's a beautiful place to hang out on a summer day. During the Labor Day weekend, 2003, a rock band that I played in back in the 50's was inducted into the Iowa Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, along with the Everly Brothers, Brenda Lee, and the drummer for the Doobie Brothers, all former Iowans. We had a great time at Lake Oboboji during the weekend festivies, but the best part of it was seeing the other members of the band, three of whom I hadn't seen for over 40 years. Most of our time is devoted to helping our daughter, Kelly, learn skills and prepare for independent living. Kelly moved to an apartment in December, 2000, with a non-disabled roommate, and her courage and adaptation exceeded all our expectations.
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Here's a photo of the three of us taken a couple of years ago. (That's me on the right.)