I retired from the US Army in 2011 after 30+ years of service. I held numerous jobs throughout my career, beginning with Huey helicopter crew chief, turbine engine mechanic, Class III/V Platoon Sergeant, First Sergeant, Brigade NBC NCO, and ending as an Operations Sergeant. I retired as a Master Sergeant. I feel as if I had some of the best jobs the Army had to offer throughout my career.
During my two Vietnam tours I was a helicopter crew chief, stationed at Camp Evans and Long Binh, respectively. During my Afghanistan tour I was an Operations Sergeant for an Apache helicopter task force stationed in FOB Salerno (Khost) and Jalalabad.
I received many awards during my career, to include Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Air Medal w/V Device, Air Medal (17th Award), Meritorious Service Medal (3rd Award), Army Commendation Award (7th Award), Army Achievement Medal (3rd Award), Armed Forces Reserve Medal w/20 year Device, Master Army Aviator Badge, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross, Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Medal, NATO Medal, and Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.
After my last Vietnam tour, I left the Army and attended Idaho State University where I received my FAA issued Airframe and Powerplant license. After ISU, I worked as an Avionics Tech for a decade before reenlisting in the Army. During my civilian job, I worked on everything from small single and twin-engine airplanes, helicopters, and corporate jets to some World War II aircraft.
My wife and I have been together for 40+ years and have four daughters, thirteen grandchildren, and one great grandchild.
I was first diagnosed with chronic kidney disease (CKD) fifteen or so years ago, which has progressively degraded over time. There came a time earlier this year that I had to attend a dialysis class as the writing was on the wall that with the continued CKD worsening, dialysis was a given fact. So far, I have somewhat stabilized above the required dialysis threshold for the time being, but I am always just one blood test away from dialysis.
My nephrologist eventually referred me to a kidney transplant hospital in hopes I could qualify for a transplant before dialysis was a requirement. After five months of testing, screening, and whatnot, I finally got approved for a living donor transplant, which is the best course of action. Changing my diet has slowed my CKD but eventually dialysis or a transplant is in the near future. As a potential deceased donor transplant recipient as well, I am restricted to staying connected to the transplant hospital either by phone or internet. This requirement has negatively affected my outdoor travels away from home. One of my concerns is if I don’t get a transplant soon, my age will eliminate me from ever getting a transplant, and dialysis will be my eventual demise.
I am an outdoors person and most of these hobbies were started at a very young age and have continued throughout the decades. I enjoy big game, bird, and predator hunting, fishing, trapping, logging, welding, GPS land navigation, hiking, and I am somewhat of a computer geek. My CKD has all but eliminated some of these activities, because I can no longer travel away from home. Most of my trapping, hunting, and logging activities are over a hundred miles from home which are no longer feasible due to the umbilical cord I have attached to the transplant hospital. I am hoping after a transplant, I can return to some of my favorite hobbies and lifestyle in the great outdoors.
For medically cleared donors, giving the gift of life through living kidney donation has been proven to be very safe. DOVE will assist all prospective donors throughout the process and make sure they do not incur any out-of-pocket expenses related to the evaluation or surgery. A healthy person can live a normal life with one kidney and save Harvey‘s life with the other!
Your support, whether through spreading the word on social media or considering becoming a donor, can make a profound impact on his life and the life of his family!
Please click on the link below if you would like to learn more OR call (551) 233-1611