I met Pam at Andrews University when she was a freshman and I a sophomore. Once we went on our first date, we never dated anyone else! In fact, we were married on September 14, 1975 about 11 months after we first met. We have grown up together and grown closer together over the years. We’ve attended each other’s college graduation – mine from Andrews University and Pam’s from Loma Linda University. And she was there when I graduated from medical school at Loma Linda University. We enjoyed our years in school together – striving for goals and loving life.
It was during my senior year of medical school that Sally was born. We’d been married for 6 years when Sally came into our lives. All I can say is that children are an indescribable blessing as they bring a renewed energy and passion into our lives. And Sally has certainly done that for us since day one! She is still a joy to us as she now teaches in special education.
Kelsey and Eric Jr came into our lives while we were living in Bethesda, Maryland. Kelsey and Sally loved to play together, though we could tell from an early age that they were different from one another. Kelsey was a little more quiet and yet very determined and competitive. When Kelsey starts a project, nothing will deter her from its completion. Kelsey graduated from Andrews University and married Jake Westfall. We have discovered the joy of watching your children become responsible adults and enter into their own love-filled relationships. We are extremely happy for Kelsey at Jake as they live in Hinsdale, Illinois while Jake works as an accountant for Adventist Health Systems and Kelsey works for United Airlines.
Eric Jr has had the blessing of being constantly challenged throughout his childhood by his two older sisters. There was plenty of love there, but it was often expressed by his sisters through their seemingly constant barrage of unsolicited advice. Eric Jr has always been a tender and kind-hearted person. This characteristic is truly priceless and one that I know his wife, Lindsay appreciates. When Eric Jr graduated from Walla Walla University, he married Lindsay Zenthoefer one month later. They are happy as they pursue common goals at Loma Linda.
There is nothing on this earth that is more important to me than my family. And I thank God that it continues to grow and flourish.
