My parents met in New York City and were both immigrants from Finland of Swedish ancestry thus making me a first generation American. Living in New York City in my early years, my parents and two older sisters and I moved to a dairy farm in Pleasant Mount, Pennsylvania when I was 9 years old. I first heard the Gospel at an Assembly of God church in Honesdale, Pa. and by viewing many Billy Graham Crusades on television that my wonderful Christian Mom insisted I watch. However, I resisted accepting the Lord.

I received an Associate Degree in Electrical Technology from Penn State Center in Scranton, Pa (2 years) and then later a BS in Electrical Engineering from Penn State at State College, Pa. (3 & 2/3 additional years). The Lord brought my beautiful wife, Christine, into my life during my Junior year. Chris heard the Gospel for the first time at that same Assembly of God church. After accepting a position with IBM in Endicott, NY in 1968, we were married in January 1969. We both went forward to receive Christ in a small Baptist church (invited by a colleague at IBM) in Endicott in April 1969. However, I still resisted until November of 1969 when I was viewing a Billy Graham Crusade from Anaheim, Ca. on TV by myself as Chris was out with some ladies. The Lord spoke to me that night that I was at a crossroads and needed to make a decision. It seemed finally so clear and I couldn't understand why I hesitated. God was very patient and gracious with me.

We have three grown children, Paul, Kendra and Joel...all married and all Christians and their spouses. We are truly blessed. Paul is married to Elena from Moscow, Russia, who came to faith while playing basketball at Liberty University in Lynchburg, Va. They have one son AJ (5 yrs old) and live in Raleigh, NC. God in His infinite plan had Kendra marry Billy Graham's grandson William Franklin Graham IV. They both were students at Liberty University. It was almost surreal to share my testimony with Billy Graham at the wedding. They have three children, CJ (Christine Jane), Rachel and William Franklin V (Quinn). They live near Asheville, NC. Joel first met Melissa here at El Camino youth group. Joel and Melissa have two sons, Aiden and Jesse, and live in Lynchburg, Va. where Joel graduated from Liberty. The Liberty connection and Jerry Falwell has been very significant in our family.

After moving with IBM to Tucson in August of 1979, I retired from IBM in May 2002, however, I have worked much of the time since as a contractor at IBM the past 6 years. We have been members at El Camino since the summer of 1985. I am currently retired again since October, 2008 . We thus spend a good deal of time in Raleigh, NC to be near the families which takes us away from Tucson several months of the year.

Colossians 1:10 (NKJV): "That you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God."