Gerry: I'm going to be ok, so no worries. And, yes, we need to catch up! I'll write more soon. I still have your personal e-mail address. Tom Behler: KB8TYJ ----- Original Message ----- From: "Gerry Learry" <[log in to unmask]> To: <[log in to unmask]> Sent: Saturday, August 17, 2013 6:45 AM Subject: Re: Update From KB8TYJ > Hey Tom, Wow I hope you are alright. Please write me soon if you can. > Gerry > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Tom Behler" <[log in to unmask]> > To: <[log in to unmask]> > Sent: Friday, August 16, 2013 5:59 PM > 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 >