Q: When did you first join R4R and how did you learn about us?
A: Fall 2013. My son-in-law, Will Smith worked with Randy at the Bee and volunteered with my daughter, Janet, to do the bike lead-out for Run Because You Can. I ran the 10K that day. After the race, Will suggested I switch from Fleet Feet training (after ten years) and join R4R. The rest is history.
Q: Describe yourself in 25 words or less.
A: 74 year-old husband to Suzi for 54 wonderful years. Retired from state service in 2008. Love to help others; introspective, and I cherish kindness.
Q: What’s your favorite “Movin’ into Life” activity?
A: Run/walk intervals with other “back of the packers”, and yelling “GO RHETT” to all in our baby blue family!
Q: How do you like to spend your free time? Any hobbies of note?
A: My free time is usually directed toward creating Bonsai trees, building balsa model airplanes, building plastic models of race cars like my brother used to drive at tracks in the region, and reading mystery novels.
Q: What’s something most people don’t know about you?
A: I mentored junior college STEM students about computer security, and computer system operations best practices for six years after I retired.
Q: What has been your most unusual or interesting job?
A: Creating, implementing, and, for 15 years, managing DMV’s first Information Security Program. I was called the Security Wizard!
Q: What has been your proudest moment since being a part of the R4R family?
A: In 2017, as a Rhett Rep, I walked a 5K with a nine-year-old student who couldn’t run because of cerebral palsy. She squeezed the blood out of my hand the whole way continually asking how far we had walked and giggling at my responses. As we approached the finish, she saw her mother, screamed, and let go of my hand to cross the finish line, get her medal and sort of ran to her mother; they hugged, laughed, cried with other family members. Mom smiled at me and mouthed ”Thank You”! A true GO RHETT moment.
Q: How would you describe your Runnin’ for Rhett experience to a child?
A: We stay active and fit while raising money so you can run after school, get new running shoes, a running shirt, and a medal while running a 5K with kids from schools all around our area as we all learn to move into and through life.
