Who impacted the direction of your life?

As I headed out the door this evening, I challenged my Peeps via Twitter to list three individuals not related to them who had made an impact in their life. Then I wondered who I would list and why?

Only three - that is too limiting. At the risk of offending all those not listed:

Elementary School:

Miss Achenson - taught me to read (not to spell, likely slaughtered her name).

Mr. Bobst - made learning fun.

Junior High:

Kevin Wasson - friend.

High school:

Fred Miller - provided opportunity.

Walt Pontynen - challenged me to challenge assumptions.

Frank K. Richardson - affirmed my education & career goals.

Undergraduate:

Wayne Judd - so many reasons. 

Wayne's Niece - made a couple years of school fun.

Rick Galer - friend.

Russ Squier - friend.

Wayne Koval - showed compassion and worthy of listing twice.

Graduate:

Wil Kramer - provided opportunity.

Bob Liston - provided opportunity.

Ordell Calkins - showed me an alternate path.

Francis Carr - showed me door number 2.

Robert K. Puglia - so many reasons.

John Latini - friend.

Don Fowler - friend.

The last 20 years are for another time.

Where are they now:

A couple I see regularly.

An email friend.

A friend who calls when it is an emergency.

A friend I'd like to see more often.

A friend who sends Christmas cards with photographs.

A friend who has drifted away.

Four deceased.

The rest have drifted out of my life without a trace.