Occupation: I have retired twice. My first was from Exxon in 1971, where I worked for almost 30 years, mostly overseas. I began as a chemical engineer and ended up in management, first in oil refining and then in chemical operations for the last ten years of my career with them. I also was judge of probate in Newtown for 12 years, three terms, and retired from there in 1991. I attended elementary and high school in Montana. I have a bachelor of science in chemical engineering from Montana State University.

How Long in Newtown: I moved to Newtown in January 1972. Prior to that, I lived in Brussels, Belgium. I spent 22 years in Aruba from 1942 to 1964. During the war it was considered a war zone because of being attacked by German subs. My four daughters were all born in Aruba. I have also lived in Athens, Greece, for three years, Madrid, Spain, for two years, and two years in Brussels. I was born and raised in Montana. The most dramatic change in my career came years ago when I was going to go to Peru to fill in for a manager there. I was taking my family with me, and we were at Kennedy Airport. The bags were already checked, when I received a call from my office that there had been a change in plans. We managed to get the luggage off the plane, and ten days later we were on our way to Greece.

Biggest Change Seen in Town: Of course, the growth. Also, the change with removal of Fairfield Hills Hospital. It was a big part of my job as judge of probate.

Family: I remarried a year ago to Helen Ruth Freeman, a writer and poet. I have four daughters. Dana, 55, and her husband, Bill Pitts, live in Chappaqua, N.Y. She is an executive with Morgan Chase Bank. They have two married sons, Edward, 26, and David, 24. Catherine Forsyth, 53, has an 18-year-old son, James. She lives in Geneva, Switzerland, where she has a dual career. She teaches English as a foreign language and is a psychoanalyst. Anne Fisk, 50, is a litigation consultant with Ernst & Young in Boston. Elizabeth, 46, and her husband, Sabri Barisser, live in Waterbury. She is artistic director of the Brass City Ballet, which she founded in 1985. They have two children, Andrew, 15, and Eleanor, 11.

Pets: I have a Pekinese dog, Suzy, and a Charteux cat, Fiona.

Hobbies: Playing golf, reading, gardening. I also do some writing, and am writing my memoirs.

Favorite Books and Authors: I’ve read some interesting biographies, such as the one by Jean Strauss about J.P. Morgan, and books about Harry Truman and John Adams.

Favorite TV Show: I enjoy The Practice, Law & Order, NYPD Blue, West Wing, and sports programs.

Organizations: Near and dear to my heart is the library. I was a member of the Library Board of Trustees from 1974 to 1994, before there were term limits. In 1997 I went back on, and am currently a member. I have made recordings for the blind in New Haven. I was chairman of the Newtown Scholarship Association and one of the founders of FISH. I have also served as a director of Meals on Wheels, and am a member of the Men’s Club. I was a member of the Commission on Aging for ten years. I am a member of Twisters, a golf organization for people who just love to play golf for the fun of it. I was also a member of the Horticulture Club for many years and was its president for some time. I am also involved with Danbury Hospital. I’ve always kept busy.

Most Vivid Memory of Newtown: One of the things that comes to mind is the beautiful view of town you have from Castle Hill.

Favorite Vacation Spot: I have discovered how nice my wife’s place in East Hampton is. The house is in a quiet neighborhood and is absolutely peaceful and delightful. I spent the month of August there. We also have an apartment in New York City, but it’s very busy there.

Personal Philosophy: It goes along with the Golden Rule. Like someone once said, I’d like to be the kind of person my dog thinks I am.