Ron Tennison
What is your occupation?
I have retired twice, the first time after 20-years from Marion Laboratories the Kansas City pharmaceutical company founded by Ewing Kaufman and the second after 10-years with a California healthcare consulting group.
What was your first job?
Working at a Phillips 66 gas station in my hometown back in the day when it was a full-service job…filling the car gas tank, washing the windshield, changing oil, and washing the car.
What is your favorite hobby or pastime?
Good question. Other than travel to new places, it is spending time with family, my wife Judy, and friends, regardless of the activity.
Where did you grow up and what was it like?
I grew up in Valley Center, Kansas, then a small farming town of about 800 in population north of Wichita. Wheat harvest time was especially memorable, trucks lined up on Main Street waiting to deliver grain to the elevator. Then it was a typical small town everyone knew everyone, a good place for children. Today the population is near 8,000 and the grain elevator is closed. The one school building housing both grade and high schools has been replaced by 7 separate buildings.
What is a favorite movie you always recommend to people? Why do you love it?
There are so many but at the top of the list is Forrest Gump. It parallels my life experiences from childhood to adult hood, especially the 1960s which were the years of my time in college, serving in Vietnam and watching the moon landing of Apollo 11.
If you were coming out onto a stage, what would your entrance theme song be?
Good Grief Charlie Brown
What is your favorite type of cuisine to cook or eat?
My late wife taught me to prepare Mexican food. It is a lot of work but great to eat. When I’m finished, I feel like I’ve accomplished something more so that preparing something on the grill.
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