Dan's Q&A...

What is an interesting fact about you?

I am 6’ 5” tall (I’m assuming this doesn’t have to be factual).

What are your hobbies?

I am a consummate woodworker and restorer of old woodworking tools and equipment. I am interested in most anything old, relating to craftmanship, and machinery oriented. I love to read.

What do you do for a living?

Retired Mechanical Engineer. I now tinker at home and am a distinctly non-profit organization of one.

Greatest accomplishment?

In the schools and neighborhood I grew up in, NO ONE went to college. No one in my family had ever graduated from college. Graduating with a degree Mechanical Engineering was (up to that time) the most significant accomplishment in my life. It about killed me. It opened doors for me I could have never imagined. It allowed Angie to stay and home with our kids for which I am deeply grateful.

I am most deeply proud of the two kids that raised Angie and I. They are amazing and inspire us.

If you could travel anywhere, where would it be?

Anywhere rugged and naturally beautiful. After the beaches and mountains of NW Washington State, I don’t expect to see anything more beautiful this side of eternity. But I’m open to it.

Favorite foods?

Steak and potatoes. Fresh Dungeness crab. Well, a lot of things.

Favorite music?

I have varied musical tastes. I grew up with country/bluegrass music and played fiddle/violin all through school. My dad was a fantastic guitar player who drug me to old fiddler’s groups around Albuquerque as a kid. I’m currently tinkering with a mandolin.

I found and outgrew rock music in high school but listen to some odd bits of it at time (especially Electric Light Orchestra).

I enjoy classical music but am not a connoisseur.

I mostly listen to contemporary Christian music. Phil Wickham’s “Hymn of Heaven” stops me in my tracks every time I hear it.

Favorite vacation?

A radical white-water rafting trip with our kids and their cousins on the Klamath River
between Oregon and California. The rumors about me falling out of the raft multiple times are exaggerated.

Favorite book (other than the Bible)?

Oh my. That’s hard. Probably “Mere Christianity” by CS Lewis. I love JRR Tolkein’s “Hobbit/Lord of the Rings” saga and Lewis’ “Chronicles of Narnia.” I consume anything related to WW2 history. The list goes on and on...

Favorite Bible verse?

2 Corinthians 5:21 - He made Him who knew no sin to be sin in our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

Mac or PC?

PC. Mostly by default. Have never touched a Mac.

If you could share just one of Jesus' teachings with someone what would it be?

You are saved by GRACE. It is gift. Accept it. Revel in it. Live it.

Favorite moment at Southwest?

Every time I come back after visiting other places. It’s home.

What do you love about Southwest?

I love that Southwest is a healing place centered in the Love and Presence of Jesus Christ.
It was for us and it continues that legacy for others.