Hello, everyone.

For a time, I debated sending this post, but have decided to go ahead with 
it, because I consider the folks on this list to be part of a great family 
that I have come to know over the past 12 years or so.

If this is felt to be too "off topic" for some, please hit the good old 
delete button, and I promise I will not be offended.

As many of you know, about a year and a half ago, I took the Acting 
Department Head position in the Department Of Social Sciences at Ferris 
State University.  When I took the position, I knew going in that it was 
going to be extremely demanding.  Not only would it be a 12-month position, 
and would involve 50 to 60-hour work weeks, but it would involve running all 
administrative functions for a department with approximately 30 faculty 
members, and 5 major University programs.

By all counts from both administration and faculty members, I was a great 
success in the position, and met or exceeded all initial performance 
expectations.

However, beginning in the late Spring of this year, I began experiencing 
some significant stress-related medical symptoms, and those symptoms 
steadily grew worse over the Summer.  Fortunately, the symptoms didn't seem 
to aggravate my already-existing heart condition, but they became important 
warning signs that I simply couldn't ignore.

As a result, I have officially stepped down from the administrative 
position, and, with the authorization of my doctor, have taken a medical 
leave for the Fall 2013 semester.  Fortunately, I have ample accumulated 
sick time, so that this will not create a financial burden for my wife and 
I.  The plan is for me to take the Fall off, work on some other professional 
projects, and then resume my full-time teaching in the Spring of 2014.

I am nearing 60 years old, now, and still need to work a few more years 
before getting serious about retirement, so hopefully, this little hiatus 
will carry me through.

I also am hoping that the time off will allow me to get more back into ham 
radio than I have been lately.  So, look for an increased presence from me 
on the list, and also on our week-end nets over the coming months.

73 from Tom Behler: KB8TYJ