| April 2015 I was a member of the class from our freshman year through third theology. I’ve never regretted my seminary education; it taught me to think, analyze and write; and the values I formed in seminary remain my values today. I was a somewhat unusual seminary student in that I was as interested in science as I was in philosophy or theology. By the time I reached the end of my seminary years it became increasingly obvious that my understanding of the world was integrated on a non-theistic basis, and it was obvious that it was time for a career change. I left with a healthy respect for the good that religion contributes to an individual and the community, but just couldn’t represent a world view that I no longer shared. After I left the seminary, I began work on an MBA to “legitimize” my philosophy major for the secular job market. Relatively quickly I began working and living in Santa Rosa for the State Compensation Insurance Fund, the State’s workers’ comp company. The State Fund supported completion of my MBA, and subsequent insurance and actuarial studies. I met my wife, Gwen, there; and this year we’ll be celebrating our 39th anniversary. After working at the Fund for awhile, Gwen returned to Berkeley to finish her PhD and then taught English at Santa Rosa Junior College and Sonoma State. I’ve lived in Santa Rosa for virtually all of my life since leaving the seminary. Gwen and I have two daughters, Janet and Beth. Janet finished a PhD in English Literature and teaches at Hunter College in Manhattan. Her expertise is in Black Literature; go figure. Beth finished her PhD in Public Policy and is currently working for the City of San Francisco Health Department on funding and administering primary health care for a largely indigent HIV population. Our family is close and an important part of my life. I retired from the State Fund 4+ years ago, ending my career as Executive Vice President and Actuary. It was a satisfying career in that I always felt my work was contributing to the medical care and income of workers injured on the job. We’re fortunate in having good health so far in retirement. Since retiring, I pay-it-forward as a classroom volunteer three mornings a week in high school math classes. I’ve also renewed my interest in philosophy, taking one or two classes each semester at Sonoma State University. Over the years that’s brought me to read (or reread) the Greeks, Nietzsche, Heidegger, Wittgenstein, Emerson, Cavell, and Derrida. Somehow philosophy is much more satisfying this time around. (Perhaps it’s just because I’m actually doing the reading this time!) Beyond that Gwen and I take in as much art and music as we can: San Francisco museums, opera and ballet, Santa Rosa Symphony, local and Ashland theater. Jim jfneary@sbcglobal.net
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 Jim and Gwen and their two daughters, Janet and Beth.
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