Life experiences, family, and reflections
I'm blessed to be part of a blended family of six. My wife Michelle and I found each other after both experiencing profound loss - we each lost our first spouses to cancer. Together, we've created a loving home for our four children: Cassie, Blake, Robert, and Ashley.
It's particularly meaningful that three of our four children have chosen to pursue careers in technology, following a path that has brought me so much fulfillment over the decades.
My experience with cancer has been both as a caregiver and as a patient. In 2011, I was diagnosed with Stage IV melanoma and given only a few months to live. Through experimental immunotherapy at the National Institutes of Health, I became one of the fortunate 25% who responded completely to treatment. I've now been cancer-free for over 12 years.
During this same period, I was also caring for my first wife Jodi as she battled breast cancer and later leukemia. She passed away in March 2013. The experience of fighting for my own life while caring for hers transformed my perspective on what truly matters.
Beyond technology, I'm passionate about philosophy, ancient languages (currently learning Greek), and the intersection of timeless wisdom with modern life. I practice yoga regularly, enjoy hiking and nature photography, and find particular inspiration in places like Nafplio, Greece, where ancient history comes alive.
I'm an avid reader with a special appreciation for works that bridge the technical and philosophical - from Hofstadter's "Gödel, Escher, Bach" to the poetry of Keats and the clarity of Orwell. These diverse influences shape both my approach to software development and my broader worldview.
Cancer taught me that time is our most precious resource. After 40 years in technology, I'm focused on building things that matter - tools that serve humanity, education that preserves wisdom, and a legacy that honors both those we've lost and those who will come after us.
My guiding principle remains Keats' insight: "Beauty is truth, truth beauty." Whether in code, in life, or in the connections we make with others, the pursuit of elegant solutions that honor both form and function continues to drive my work and life.