Even though I graduated from Robstown High School, I appreciate being invited to visit with my Banquete elementary school friends. I have very fond memories of the friends I made during those days.

I have had a very good life. I served as a Quartermaster in the US Army Engineer Corps in France. I worked at DelHi Taylor refinery operations for 10 years. I then worked as an air traffic controller for 20 years in Houston, San Antonio, McAllen, and Alice. I learned how to fly a Cessna aircraft and loved to fly over the King Ranch. I have been a realtor for over 25 years and recently worked as an oil landman leasing properties for investors.

I love the Czech culture and have visited the Czech Republic many times. I am considered an expert on Texas Czech Polka bands and have written many articles about them in the Texas Polka News. I was president of the Travis-Williamson County Czech Heritage Society and was a founding board member for the Texas Polka Museum in Schulenburg. I am a member of the Czech Arts and Sciences Society and have presented many papers on Texas Czechs at their annual conventions. I was honored to meet President Vaclav Havel when he visited Ellis Island, New York to commemorate the immigration of Czechs in the late 1800's and attended his speech to a joint session of Congress.

I have five children, five grandchildren, and one great-grandchild. I have been happily married to Velma for the last 21 years.