Virgil was born in 1930 and reared on a farm near South Bend, Indiana during the Great Depression and World War II, both of which had tremendous influences on his life. In 1972 he, his wife Marian, and their three children moved to a small farm where he still enjoys gardening, tending a small apple orchard, and raising beef cattle. They have eight grandchildren and one great grandchild, all of whom seem to enjoy visiting grandpa's farm. Upon earning a PhD in physical chemistry from the University of Illinois, his professional career has involved chemical research and process development. He has published many papers in technical journals, but his real love of writing led him to write hundreds of humorous skits during a 35-year period for an annual "Sweetheart" dinner at his church. He has also written, produced, and directed some twenty full-length Christmas plays for his church. Some highlights of his life include loving and enjoying his family, playing a sousaphone in the Purdue All-American Band, entertaining various groups with his 105 year-old tuba, and singing bass in a barbershop quartet for twenty years. He still enjoys singing in the church chancel choir.
