Gary Roemersberger – September 2019 Volunteer

I started as a Faith in Action volunteer in April 2018 providing transportation to medical appointments. Last summer I became a member of the Assessment Team.

I was aware of Faith in Action from Gerry Decker, Congregational Liason at Our Saviour Lutheran Church, before I retired in 2017.  After hearing about FIA, I knew it was something I wanted to consider after retirement given my background in social services. I knew I could be of service. 

I grew up in Eureka, Illinois.  I have lived in the community since coming to Illinois State University in 1976.  My first job out of college in 1976 was at the Illinois Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Children’s School (ISSCS) in Normal.  Three years later, I worked for a local child welfare agency by the name of Kaleidoscope before my employment at the MARC Center for 12 years working with children and adults with developmental disabilities. In 1988, I completed my Master of Social Work degree from the University of Illinois.  In 1994, I worked for Youth Services for 2 years and for Children’s Foundation for a year. From 1997 to 2017, I was employed at the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services in casework, child protection, and private agency monitoring. 

 I recently purchased a new piano and enjoy playing every day.  I participate in The Prune Juice Golf League with 83 other golfers at Ironwood on Monday mornings.   My wife Kim and I vacation annually in Gatlinburg, TN where we enjoy finding and photographing bears in the Smoky Mountains. 

We have 2 spoiled rotten cats named Madison and  Probus. We have 2 daughters, Claire and Danielle.  Claire lives in town with her husband Louie.  Claire has been a long time volunteer with Wishbone Canine Rescue and has three rescue dogs.  Danielle lives in St. Louis, and we enjoy visiting her and seeing the sites.  As a Cardinal fan, I enjoy going with Danielle to at least one game every season.

Gary Roemersberger trivia:  Have a red Mazda Miata and enjoy tooling around town with the top down listening to tunes.  Shook hands with a U.S. President – Gerald Ford.  Mother wrote a book and got it published (still available on Amazon).  A U.S. President and an MLB player have a connection with my hometown of Eureka.  Can you name them?  Dad, 3 brothers, and I all worked at Caterpillar.  Dad and 2 brothers were career CAT.  Got married at Funk’s Grove Church in 1982.  

As a volunteer, I enjoy meeting so many wonderful people in our community.   Our care recipients have lived full and rich lives, and have remarkable stories to tell.