Tom Setzer:
CLASS OF 1975
Neshaminy High SchoolClass of 1975
Langhorne, PA
Cornell UniversityClass of 1982
Ithaca, NY
Duke UniversityClass of 1979
Durham, NC
Tom's Story
Life
Well, I have mostly been living outside the US since 1991. I am currently living in Jakarta, Indonesia and am working in the oil industry. I love SE Asia and am probably a semi permanent resident out here as I could never see leaving entirely.
I have been married since 1996 to an amazing Thai woman (amzing that she puts up with me) named Jongkon. We are expecting our first child in October of 2004.
Life has been pretty good to me and I am thankfull for the opportunities I have been given. Certainly, I never could have imagined the paths my life has taken way back when at neshaminy.
well, if you ever get to Indonesia, look me up! The beer will be on me.
Update -August 2005 Well the Indonesia gig has about run out. Not sure where I will be next, but Manila is looking likely with Bangkok as a fallback. With no luck whatsoever, its back to Houston. I am now the proud dad of a cute as a bug baby boy named Brian. Life is pretty darn good. No complaints from me.
Update - July 2008 well, I was a bit premature about the Indonesia thing finishing. Although I left the country for a year (relocated back to Bangkok) I never really stopped working here. Moved back to Jakarta full time in October of 2006. Several of us got tired of the corporate world and decided to put our money where our mouth was and formed our own oil and gas exploration company, Black Gold Energy. Put our life savings into the start up, so it has often been a scary ride. We are doing pretty well now and it looks as if success is not too far down the road. the great thing about our own business is a terminally relaxed working environment. Our standard dress code is hawaiian shirts and shorts. Shoes are optional (we wear 'em if we have visitors). We talk of moving the office to Bali next year, but I dunno how practical that would be. I am pretty sure it would help keep the stress levels down though.
On the home front Jongkon and I just had our 13th wedding anniversary and our so...Expand for more
n Brian is coming up on 4 years old. Brian goes to an Australian run pre-school where they keep trying to get him to say mummy instead of mommy. Sheesh! I have to indoctrinate him into the fine points of being an 'merican.
Well that's it from sunny Indonesia; land of earthquakes, tsunamis and volcanoes. A real geological wonderland (not so great for the people mind you). Looks like another 2-3 years here at least before we can cash out and maybe come home for a while. That will be 20 years overseas. Enough I think. Mind you, I am not really sure where home is anymore however. I feel a bit alien when I visit Langhorne these days. Too early to worry about it now, so I won't.
I would like to think that I am getting wiser over the years but who knows. I do know that life has been kind to me and I have learned to be thankful for all the good things I have. I hope the rest of my fellow Class of 75 Members have fared as well and found happiness wherever they are and whatever they might be doing.
Tom
Update - Nov 2023 Finally pulled the plug on Indonesia in 2022 and moved back to Bucks County. The move marked my retirement (for the most past) from the oil biddness after 40 years. Frankly, more than happy to let it go. I did exit on a high note however. A project I originated back in 2011, and have stuck with for all these years, finally drilled in 2023 and came in big time. Largest oil and gas discovery in the world in 2023. Google North Ganal Eni. After 40 years of searching, pretty awesome to hit the big one while on the way out.
Have settled down for good in Ivyland and am enjoying a low key retirement lifestyle. Not much real change from before, but at least now I don't feel guilty for not getting anything done all day. :) My wife Jongkon is enjoying life back in the US. She is aging like a fine wine (I however, seem to be going to vinegar. Go figure). Our son Brian is 19 now and going to college in Canada. All in all, life is treating us well.
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