Born in Manhattan on July 4, 1958, I have been blessed to have annual remembrances of the birth of our great Republic coincide every year with all the joys of family and friend birthday celebrations. The second of five children, I grew up on Long Island in New York, first in Flushing, Queens, and then during my school years lived in Jericho, Nassau County. I was fortunate to be educated in a district that valued learning, under the leadership and encouragement of a host of excellent teachers, graduating in 1976, another banner year for our nation. More importantly I was reared in a home that feared God, loved Jesus, and supported His church. This led to my being called during 3rd grade Junior Church, by Holy Spirit via Mrs. Kuhn to acceptance of Jesus’ sacrifice for me. My faith walk has continued since that time, with varying velocities and struggles, but always wanting to follow Jesus and become more like Him. Membership in Christian Service Brigade under the guidance of mature Christian men helped keep me in the faith during challenging adolescent years. I have been made more aware of the brevity of life as of late (Psalm 39), and am trying to keep Jesus’ commandments better each day as an act of love and obedience.
I learned much of my appreciation for life and human dignity (Imago Dei) from my mother (now deceased), who as an obstetrical nurse during the ascendence of abortion in America, stood resolute for the cause of life and refused to participate in any work that did not value all infants in the womb. This set the stage for my lifelong advocacy for life at all stages and ages.
Once I left “the Island” for Houghton College (chemistry major) in rural western New York, I resolutely pursued my calling and career path to become a Pediatrician. I have always related well to children, and God blessed me with stature that was not intimidating to the little ones. I met my wife of 46 years, Brenda Reber, at the very first Freshman chapel service at Houghton, and as a result of this providential introduction, we now share the joys of 3 children and 14 grandchildren, staying as involved as we can in their busy lives.
The University of Rochester was where I earned my M.D. degree, followed by internship and residency at Strong Memorial Hospital. As a member of the National Health Service Corps, I worked my first four years as a physician in rural south Florida, in a federally run clinic which served the poor in Clewiston, Florida. This sojourn served as a period of great growth both in profession and faith, before I was directly and again providentially called to employment in the Canandaigua Medical Group, where I practiced for just over 30 years, retiring in the summer of 2021.
Approximately 20 years ago, as a result of attending a Pregnancy Care Center banquet at Keuka College, I was called to accept the position of Medical Director for the Geneva Pregnancy Center, now known as the Family Hope Center. I read ultrasounds and oversaw medical aspects of the center for 16 years, before retiring from this role shortly after I retired from the practice of clinical Pediatrics. I was accepted as a board member after this and am honored to continue in this current capacity.
To round things out, hobbies and interests include music (I have played the violin since 4th grade and am currently in the Finger Lakes Symphony Orchestra-a member for 34 years!), stamp and coin collecting, casual golf, pickleball, kayaking, church activities (men’s Bible and prayer group, music, and 5 years as an elder), the Canandaigua Medical Society, and travel, particularly our National Parks.
