Table of Contents

A Journey Through Time

Book Cover

The hardcover book represents a true father-son collaboration—my stories brought to life through Joey's expert design, illustration, and formatting.

The chapters below trace the arc of my life's journey. Here are your options for exploring this memoir:

📖 Chapter Summaries

Select any chapter to read a summary about a key period in my life, or go through them in order for the complete chronological story of my journey.

📄 Book Chapters

Access the full chapters as PDF, eBook, or audio at the bottom of each summary, or listen to the complete audiobook in the section below the chapters.

🎖️ Bonus Story

Discover my father's untold heroism during the Korean War in the bonus content. The full story of the battle he survived only came to light after his death.

The Chapters

01
🌳

Deep Roots: My German Ancestry and Heritage

Origins
Tracing sixteen family lines and discovering how German immigrant farmers shaped my foundation.
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02
🏡

Early Life: An Idyllic and Sheltered Childhood

1952-1966
Growing up in 1950s St. Michael—a small German Catholic town built on faith, family, and farming.
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03
📚

Navigating Two Worlds: Catholic and Public School Life

1966-1970
When my Catholic high school closed, I faced freedom I wasn't ready for—and early cracks in my faith.
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04
✈️

Wake-up Call: The Air Force Years

1970-1973
The time serving in the military opened my eyes to a broader world and led me to start questioning childhood beliefs.
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05
🌅

From Collapse to Clarity: The Path That Found Me

1974-1979
From broke and aimless in Bangkok to finding my calling—a job posting changed everything.
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06
🎓

First Step of the Plan: Building the Foundation

1979-1984
Returning to Minnesota and Hawaii to earn the credentials that would launch my international career.
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07
🌍

Life as an Expat: Adjusting to a Muslim Country

1984-1987
Three years in Saudi Arabia's contradictions—generous pay, strict rules, and compound life.
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08
🚀

Career Leap: Opportunity and Challenges

1987-1997
A decade in Egypt transformed me from university lecturer to confident educational leader.
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09
💼

Running the Show: Two Large Training Projects

1997-2009
Leading multi-million dollar programs in the UAE—and finding Alisa during those twelve years.
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10
⭐

Capstone Years: At the Top of my Game

2009-2021
From D.C. to Jordan to remote work in Thailand—building e-learning platforms and becoming a father again at 68.
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11
🏠

Daddy Dave Round Two: The Journey Back to my Roots

2022-2025
Retirement in Thailand became a return to Minnesota—reconnecting with family and raising Anya.
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12
💭

Epilogue: Reflections, Connections and Closing Thoughts

Final Thoughts
Looking back with gratitude at a nonconformist life lived fully across continents and cultures.
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🎧 Audio Book

Listen to the complete book in one place.

Access Audio Book →

Bonus Content

🎖️ Dad: One of the Chosin Few — The unforgettable story of Norm Heuring's Korean War Experience