Tom, above all else you have to take care of yourself.
I for one don't find it off topic.
And I also think of this group as part of my family.


Junior Lolley kg4itd
Liberty County Emergency Coordinator. 
"Be careful how you treat people on your way up because you might meet them 
again on your way down!!!"
Small deeds done are better than great deeds planned.

-----Original Message-----
From: For blind ham radio operators [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
On Behalf Of Tom Behler
Sent: Friday, August 16, 2013 8:00 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Update From KB8TYJ

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