Gary grew up on his family’s small farm in McPherson, where he developed a love for farming. Debbe was born in Omaha, NE, and moved several times before settling in Hutchinson.
The two met at K-State University through Campus Crusade and married one week after graduating. Debbe studied Speech Language Pathology, and Gary studied Agricultural Education and Vocational Agriculture. After a time in Hays, they returned to Gary’s family farm, where they lived with his father.
Gary served in many community roles over the years, including multiple school board positions, Vocational Director, Interim Superintendent, CFO, and Ag Director at the McPherson YMCA. Debbe later earned her master’s degree in Speech Language Pathology through WSU Early Childhood and made home visits to help children with speech and language development.
They raised three daughters, Jennifer, Cammy, and Elizabeth, and now enjoy spending time with their eight grandchildren. One granddaughter is studying Speech Language Pathology.
Nowadays, Gary enjoys walking their dog, Diamond, around the KCH campus. Debbe enjoys knitting and playing the mountain dulcimer with a Hutchinson group that performs at places such as the Edmond Senior Center.
Both Gary and Debbe are active at Grace Community Church, where Gary has served as an elder for 12 years and in stewardship for 25 years, and Debbe serves as librarian, caring for a collection of over 5,000 items.
Gary and Debbe moved to KCH last August and will celebrate 53 years of marriage on May 15.