After 25 years with MRA and then Up with People (UWP) I decided to make a career move into real estate business. My work was in residential, small commercial properties, and property management in Tucson, Arizona. In 1994 my wife, Lynn and I, moved to the cooler, seasonal weather area of the northwest. We made the state of Idaho our home for eleven years before moving go Seattle, Washington to be nearer two of our children and their growing families. While in Idaho I launched my third career as a certified personal trainer, always having been interested and active in sports and physical endeavors. I founded a walking and exercise program for seniors which has served some 500 people in North Idaho and Eastern Washington. As a result of observing many health improvements in those with whom I worked, I wrote a book entitled How to Put Old on Hold.
Now in my retirement, largely due to my years with MRA and UWP, I have continued my passion to leave this world a little better than when I arrived. Some of my interests include English conversation classes with immigrants, connections with our Muslim community, and writing about issues of reconciliation, peace, and justice. I’m also active with my church including helping with the worship music on occasion.
I met my wife of 51 years, Lynn, while we both were with UWP. She is a talented writer and artist. We are very fortunate to have three wonderful adult children and five grandchildren.
My other hobbies and interests include playing a game called pickleball, a relatively new court sport which is growing very rapidly here in the U.S., painting, and travel. Because the history of my family goes back to the first Europeans settling in America, I’m drawn to genealogy and have written a book about some of my interesting ancestors originally from England.
As I look back from my eighth decade I believe, without my knowing it, my creator has led and enabled me through every major step in my life starting from my loving and supportive parents. For this I’m an extremely lucky and fortunate guy.
Steve Colwell, November 2020
