Ted Kampbell - Personal Biography

 I grew up as an only child (my wife says this explains a lot) in southern Arkansas. My dad received a high school diploma, but the Depression and World War II thwarted a college education. My mom was orphaned at age nine and was only able to finish eighth grade, though she was an avid reader all her life.

 Dad worked for the Post Office and Mom was a homemaker like almost all of the other moms. I can remember many times when the grocery money ran out before the next payday.   We never went hungry, but there were usually some meatless meals.

Education was seen as the blueprint for building a better life.


I attended public schools and Hendrix College in Conway, Arkansas. My goal starting my sophomore year of college was to become a priest even though my degree was in elementary education.

During my last two years of college, I lived and worked at St. Joseph’s Home for Children and commuted to college. I tutored and supervised grade school children who were unable to be with their families.

After college, I entered a Catholic seminary in Dubuque, Iowa where I discovered after a year and a half that celibacy was not my calling in life.

The summer after leaving the seminary, I worked in a camp for inner-city children on the Upper Peninsula of Michigan with the sister of a friend. There was a little attraction there, but the next year when I was the director and Marie was the nurse, the chemistry was right. 

 

  We were engaged in the fall while I was teaching at a Catholic Mission School in Mississippi.

We were married in Dubuque and I reentered the seminary as a lay student and finished my MA in theology. After graduation, we moved to Lakeville, Minnesota where I was a director of religious education for six years before working for Sperry for two years in computer education.

Three beautiful children came along quickly, Ruth, Josh, and Sarah. We did survive and now they are all grown and married and we have four beautiful grandchildren Megan, Luke, Lori and Anders.

Several years ago we sold our big house and downsized to a twin home near the Minnesota Zoo. Mowing grass and the shoveling snow have given way to more traveling and active pursuits, like exercise, biking, and snow shoeing. We travel a lot and especially benefit from that time together away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

 

My hobbies include genealogy and stained glass window work. During the summer of 2004, I lost my mind and went skydiving for the first and probably the last time.

I look forward to meeting you and hearing about your unique experiences and how I can help you secure your financial goals and enjoy your retired life to its maximum potential.