John van Cleve:  

After high school I went to Iowa for one semester. Then I decided to go to a computer programming school. When I graduated from there Uncle Sam caught up with me. In the first draft lottery I was chosen number one. Only lottery I ever won. Never got into a combat zone. Had nice duty in Texas, England, Wyoming, and Guam while serving in the Air Force. Married at 20 because I wanted to do the right thing. Had a daughter who now has blessed me with 2 granddaughters. That marriage ended in 1975. Married up in 1978 and still enjoy this union today. We have adopted two girls. The first had medical problems at birth and passed on at 20 months. The second has been both a blessing and a curse. She is now 21 and will be giving us our first grandson any day now.. My wife owns a dental laboratory and is very successful. I am semi retired and work part time, but the economy and wife tell me to get back to work. Oh well, my time will come. I play golf in the summer and bowl in the winter months. Enjoy maintaining our house and grounds to the best of my ability, and being with friends. I listen to hard rock radio, but my favorite hits came out of the 80's. On the tv I watch sports, a few sitcoms, and crime/mystery movies. Both of my parents are still living, but are ailing. I have been lucky to have them this long. My inlaws are also still living and we get along famously. We join them at their time share in Cancun once a year during the winter. It's always nice to have an Iowa winter shortened by one week. 9/12/2011 My father passed away in March at age 92. He had been struggling with dementia and finally just chose to stay in bed. He quit eating which hastened the end. Our daughter Sarah is almost 21. She is pregnant with our 3rd grandchild. She and her boyfriend have bought a house and after about 2 weeks of cleaning and fixing up they might be able to move in this week. I did find work at Midwest Metal Products in Cedar Rapids. With on the job training I have become a drill press operator and have been moved to second shift. I had to give up bowling and miss my favorite evening TV shows but I'm happy to be gainfully employed. My goal is to retire at 62 but the hits my 401k have taken may require me to work longer. 2/10/2012 Baby Benjamin was born yesterday at St Lukes. He was 8lbs 2 oz and 21.5 inches long, so he might be a big boy. I have never thought all babies are cute, but this one is. Seriously, years ago one of my friends had a baby and I thought he looked like ET. Anyway we are happy grandparents for the third time, first grandson. 1/11/13 2012 was a pretty good year. I still have a job and my health. We got a new grandson and our daughter is pregnant again. It looks like I will have to work until I'm 65 now unless I win the lottery. I bought a new truck in 2012, a Toyota Tundra 4-door 4x4. It's my first truck and I love it! Wonder why I didn't buy one earlier in life. I will be making the winter shorter with trips to Phoenix to see my sister and to Cancun They never run out of margaritas there. 7/18/13 Yesterday Azaela was born, our brand new granddaughter. She ...Expand for more