Wunderlust Out Of Holmes County: An Amish Boy's Passion For Knowledge and Adventure

One Amish boy was “a little different” than the other boys he grew up with. His intense curiosity about life and the world led to a career that was profoundly non-Amish. The author left the Amish community initially to do his obligatory two year work experience at a large hospital as a conscientious objector. There, educational opportunities emerged which he pursued all the way to a doctorate degree in human anatomy. His subsequent academic career was permeated with the Christian faith and a few items of “Amish baggage” that he chose to retain.

The author will tell you about the joys and challenges of living and working in Nigeria and the adjustments needed to successfully teach anatomy to Nigerian medical students. Later in life, the author learned that his Amish farming experience was of little value while working with farmers in the tropical mountains of Laos. Living and working in Kansas City and in eastern Kentucky brought more joys, opportunities and challenges. Retirement confirmed that “you cannot take the country out of the boy.” It’s back to country living and a little hobby farming.