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Born in Berlin during wartime Germany, 2nd of 4 children. Children were sent to rural areas when bombing got heavy in Berlin. The four of us were placed with different farm families in East Prussian, which now is part of Russia. When the Russians moved closer to the German border, our mother collected her children and moved us to a village closer to Berlin. After the war ended we moved back to Berlin. I was 8 years old. Our house was gone, it was destroyed by bombs. My mother died within a couple of weeks after our return to Berlin. We children were placed in an orphanage because we did not have a place to live in..
A few months later we were placed in different foster homes. My father died when I was 10. I stayed with my foster family until I was 18. They were wonderful people and I considered them my parents. After I finished school, I went to business school. My favorite subject in school was English and I excelled at it. I started working for the U.S. Army at their headquarters in Berlin. Worked in the finance and accounting office. (In those days, payroll was done manually). My job was in the Commercial Accounts Department, that dealt with Contracts with German Businesses that provided services to the military and the military families. I met my first husband, who was a payroll clerk in the Army.
Married and came to the U.S. in 1963. What a wonderful country. Moved about 8 times in 15 years. Adopted 3-week old identical twin boys in 1966 while stationed in California. Loved the military life, loved the new places and meeting new and exciting people each time we moved. Similar to volunteers in USA Boxing, military families form bonds. For many, they are the only family they have. Was a stay-at-home mom until the children started school, then started working again. Could not build a career with the constant moving, worked mostly for non-appropriated funds on post.
A friend told me that Boxing was moving from Indiana to Colorado Springs and that I should apply for the job of Business Manager. I did not know much about boxing but always liked it. I remember being fascinated by the beauty of the movements in the ring when watching the Olympic Games on T.V. I applied for and got the job. That was in 1981. I was the first employee hired in Colorado Springs. At that time, the position of Business Manager included all aspects of membership. Eventually, the job was separated into two. Business Manager and LBC Services Director. I loved my work, it was a daily challenge, something I was used to all my life. The way things were done when I first started and the way they are done now is quite different. I consider myself to have been part of the "Evolution of Amateur Boxing Administration". Every day at work is different from the day before. Things are forever changing in an effort to enhance the process. I always considered my job a dream position where I could have lots of people contact on a daily basis and be helpful to them. I have learned so much and am still learning. I have learned patience from working with volunteers, I have also learned to have great respect for our volunteers who give so much of their own time and energy to the sport of amateur boxing.
I will miss the terrific people I had the privilege to meet and get to know, who taught me so much about what it means to be involved in amateur boxing, with their giving and caring spirit, their unselfishness. They turned me into the person I am today.
I got divorced in 1983 and remarried a Dutchman in 1985. We both belonged to the same ski club and found that we had much in common, having both grown up in war-torn Europe. Though I will be retiring, I will never be bored. I have my hubby and my hobbies. We plan an doing some traveling with our little RV, meet new people on the road. Luke and I both still love skiing, hiking, walking and biking. I love to read, sew and knit, a nice winter activity. I will now have more time for that.
The three best things in my life have always been my children, my husband and my job and I will always fondly remember my years at boxing.
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REAL ATHLETES
REAL BOXING
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