I had been interested in funeral service from the time I was in high school. The summer following graduation, a beloved aunt of mine died suddenly before my eyes. I watched closely as the funeral home came to take her into their care and was subsequently a part of the funeral as a pallbearer. After the funeral I approached our family funeral director, John Alsip, owner of Alsip Funeral Chapel in Nampa, Idaho, and asked him for a job. He told me to 'stay home on the farm' and that there was 'a lot more to a funeral home than the fancy cars'. He would not hire me. A few weeks later I met a fellow who was a funeral director and was married to a friend of our family. He gave me an introduction to A. Dale McMurtrey, owner of Summers Funeral Home in Boise. I was hired on September 21, 1973 and have been in the business since.

What was your first position? What is it now?

I was first hired as an apprentice mortician in Idaho where I'm from originally. I am currently General Manager of the Dignity Memorial West Seattle Group, overseeing operations at 2 funeral homes and 2 cemeteries.

What keeps you in the profession?

I have tried to leave the profession on two occasions. Each time it wasn't very long before I realized I missed it greatly and that no work I was doing came close to the satisfaction and the feeling of importance that funeral service held.

Any particular experiences that stand out in your mind?

In more than 38 years, there are so many it is difficult to separate any one as they all have their own story. I do recall however, a tragedy of the death of an entire family, parents and 3 children, in a plane crash. We were called to fly in to the crash site in the mountains on National Guard choppers to collect the remains. The scene was like nothing I had ever seen but we set about our work collecting the family from the hillside for return to their waiting families. I remember every detail of that day.

Any special traditions at your cemetery or funeral home?

We have a number of annual activities each year but one we began 3 years ago was recognition of our Seattle Police Department each May during National Police Week. We created a ceremony to honor police officers of our city who had lost their lives in the line of duty.

What are your professional goals?

My professional goal is to leave this profession a little better than I found it in whatever capacity that may be for the benefit of the families we are called to serve.

How do you reach out to the community?

I am personally active in a variety of local groups and organizations including 3 chambers of commerce, board chair of a non-profit foundation for a continuing care retirement center, community member on the SPD Southwest Precinct Advisory Council, sponsor of our local food bank, of community arts, and of our local senior center, to name a few.

What would you tell someone who was thinking about joining death care?

I would tell them to think carefully about it -- that the level of commitment is great but the reward is greater.

Family? Hobbies?

My family is predominently in Idaho but I do have a cat and she and I live in West Seattle. I like most outdoor activities as well as soccer and baseball and enjoy spending warm sunny days with a good margarita on the beach in Mexico.