Name
Allegan, MI
After receiving a B.S. from Western Michigan, University, Kalamazoo, Michigan, in mechanical engineering last June, Jim worked part-time as a lathe operator for a company in that city. Prior to this, he was a plant engineer in the automotive industry and part-time mechanic and attendant at a service station. His hobbies center around amateur radio, building, and all kinds of mechanical work. In sports he prefers baseball, football, track, and swimming. He is a member of the American Society of Tool and Manufacturing Engineers. Jim is 25.
More Recent
Photos
click photo to enlarge
(1)
Rice
Thresher Jim built in Santa Cruz
(2) Linda and Jim Kauppi
(3) Grandaughter Paige and Jim Kauppi: Paige & family visiting
from Tennessee
(4) Atocha, Bolivia, from above, hospital at right center,
rail tracks behind were packed with vendors when the train
stopped. Atocha was the center of commerce for many of the
Southern mines. (a couple of Sue's photos are taken in front
of hospital's masonry fence).
and Work
Atocha,
Southern Mines (July
1967- July 1968 )
Atocha
is a commercial rail side community of a few thousand
in the Southern Mines area. Sue and I lived in
an apartment above Ms Lopez’s store. A small
group of priests and nuns (from Netherlands & France)
had recently built a small hospital. Sue immediately
found work at the hospital. I also did some work
with the priests, but taught English at a local
school, and worked on some activities with the
missionaries. One of the more memorable efforts
was to build/demonstrate a simple washing machine.
Santa Cruz (July
1968-July 1969)
We lived in a barrio
about a mile from downtown Santa Cruz (I’m
trying to determine its name), not far from a large Christo
near the end of what was then a newly paved (with interlocking
block) main artery. A group of central US based priests
and nuns maintained an active church/school in the barrio.
I taught basic electricity and auto mechanics ... complete
with handouts, quizzes and certificates at completion
within the structure of this local church. We had a functioning
Willys engine that was secured from one of the US oil
operations around Santa Cruz. Sue benefited from the
same environment with her work in developing a well baby
clinic which was well attended. I built a small hand
operated demonstrator rice thresher, and provided instructions
(see above).
Service
We returned to Kalamazoo, where I attended Western Michigan University. Son Jeffrey was born in January 1970, and son Phillip in 1973. I received a MS degree, taught for a year then went to work for Clark Equipment Co. in Battle Creek, MI, then in Lexington KY for 12 years. I retired from Clark in 1999 after 26 years.
Sue and I divorced in the mid-eighties and I remarried in 1989. Linda, also a nurse, has three daughters. All five of our children are married and making their way in life. Including spouses we have two teachers, four in health related fields, and four in the commercial world. We have a total of nine grandchildren. We enjoyed the 12 years in Kentucky, but decided to return to Michigan where four of our five children were located (not fully appreciating how hard the Michigan economy had hit the skids!) We’ve traveled some, twice to Europe and have seen a fair amount of the USA and Canada.
We currently work part time, Linda at our local hospital and I work at a hardware store. I’ve taken several classes in digital graphic arts and photography areas since retiring, and most recently Intermediate Spanish during our winter stay in South Carolina.
PC In Your Life
I’d say having been a Bolivian PCV has improved my life, and I hope has made me a better person all-around. The youngsters in Bolivia were engaging and optimistic even as their opportunities for self improvement and making a better life were difficult.
Something
I remember was from our group’s visit to
Gino Bauman’s house was a large framed poster
with the words “Viva la Huelga”.
RPCV Groups
I’ve
not been associated with any RPCV activities to date,
but will note that my brother served in the PC prior
to me in Jamaica, and that his son, Matt has just completed
a PC tour on St. Vincent, as a computer instructor.
Books: The Glass Castle, The Great Gatsby, On the Road
Quote:
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