Today's Featured Biography

 
Donald McKenzie

Graduated from the University of Illinois in 1967. Moved to Chicago, northwestern suburbs, in late 1968. I was a United Airlines purchasing agent from 1968 to 1972.

Married in 1970 to Donna Niemeyer of Arlington Heights, Illinois. One son, Logan Michael, born in October of 1984.

I managed a distribution center in Toledo, Ohio, from 1976 to 1980. Don't ever go there. Just kidding.

Held various positions with Abbott Labs from 1972 till my retirement in 1998. Spent all but four years at Abbott in the North Chicago, Illinois, headquarters.

I nearly died of a heart attack while on a fishing trip in northern Ontario, Canada, in June of 1997. Canadians actually saved me. Retired in 1998 because I didn't want Abbott to finish the job.

Donna and I lived in Prospect Heights, Illinois, from 1980 until separating in 2005. Yup, we're still married but living separately. On good terms and see each other frequently.

I moved to our second home in Sarasota, Florida, in 2006. Spent two years down there, sold the place (at a loss, of course) and moved back up to Illinois in mid 2008. I now have a home in Gurnee, Illinois, about 20 miles north of where Donna has a place in Wheeling, Illinois.

Main hobby is music. I play trumpet in four concert bands in the area, one being the exclusive North Suburban Wind Ensemble; also play in the Lakes Area Swing Band, two brass quintets, and sub occasionally for the Lake Geneva(Wisconsin)Symphony Orchestra.

Logan still includes the old man occasion when he goes bass fishing or hunting. Shot my first buck recently. I hold the family record for large mouth bass, weighing in at 12 lbs., 8 oz. That one was caught from a golf course pond when I lived in Florida. Nothing that big in Illinois. Almost got caught by a 12 foot gator at that same pond; his nose to my toes. Another close call with the grim reaper.

Looking forward to the next reunion.

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