Walking and bicycling are my exercises. I have cooked 95% of our family meals through the pandemic and have washed 98% of the dishes – of which I am proud, and tired.
I am 68 years old. Married to Karen Corrigan for 36 years, we have two daughters. My daughter Erin is married to Aaron, which makes communicating during family get-togethers kind of fun. Through that bond, we have three grandchildren (twins Lexi and Logan (age 5) and three-year-old, Tyler).
Daughter Sarah owns a local coffee shop in Norfolk (Vessel Craft Coffee) and has a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from the University of Virginia. Sarah suffers from a rare autoimmune disease which challenges her, but has not defeated her!
My stepson, Diron lives in northwestern Virginia with his wife Emily and they have two children, our other two wonderful grandchildren, Jillian (12) and Flynn (5).
I graduated from West Virginia University with a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration. I spent twenty years working in human resources, mostly in the public sector. I was Director of Human Resources for Old Dominion University in Norfolk, VA, during the 1980’s and 1990’s.
I was a stay-at-home dad from 1996-1998. During that time, I wrote a column for an online Stay-At-Home Parents newsletter.
I changed careers in the late 1990’s to work for LifeNet Health where I led a department which provided bereavement support for the families of deceased organ and tissue donors. I am a certified Fellow in Thanatology through the Association of Death Education and Counseling (ADEC) and am a graduate from the Center for Loss and Life Transition in Fort Collins, CO. I retired from LifeNet Health in 2017.
I then worked for First Presbyterian Church as their Parish Visitor and Commissioned Pastor from 2017-2020. I am a Presbyterian Elder and Deacon. I have been a Stephen Minister and a children’s Sunday School teacher. I completed a program of theological study at the University of Dubuque Theological Seminary in 2015, required for Commissioned Pastor consideration .
About My Writing
I’ve written about finding inspiration and hope which may bring a sense of peace in people’s lives. I’ve written a self-published book (Healing the Spirit) of stories about the families of organ and tissue donors. I’ve written a compendium of stories of super-seniors, age 85 and above, (The Ascent Project) who have lived exceptional lives.
I have written newsletters, research articles, sympathy letters, prayer letters, and sermons. Along the way, people have told me that I have helped them to find comfort in their lives following and during tragic losses.
About My Perspective
The nature of life is filled with loss. In today’s world, due to the continuing coronavirus pandemic, countless millions are suffering losses … the death of a loved one, our health, a job, our savings, and for some our hope and sense of peace.
Concurrently, we have experienced repeated public deaths of Black Americans at the hands of those all of us have entrusted with the upholding of the public peace. Subsequent protests have encouraged us all to consider and reevaluate privileged lives.
On the east coast, we have recently endured a hurricane, tornados, and an earthquake. Despite all these seemingly “end-of-times” occurrences, all of us seek peace. I hope my writing may in some small way may be helpful. May peace be with you.
About My Work History
Human Resources
(1982-1990s)
Old Dominion University.
Stay at Home Dad
(1996-1998)
LifeNet Health
(1998-2016)
Director of Donor Family Services.
At Peace 