Virgil was born in 1930 and reared on a farm near South Bend, Indiana during the Great Depression and World War II, both of which had tremendous influences on his life. In 1972 he, his wife Marian, and their three children moved to a small farm where he still enjoys gardening, tending a small apple orchard, and raising beef cattle. They have eight grandchildren and one great grandchild, all of whom seem to enjoy visiting grandpa's farm. Upon earning a PhD in physical chemistry from the University of Illinois, his professional career has involved molecular structure research and process development. He has published many papers in technical journals, but his real love of writing led him to write hundreds of humorous skits during a 35-year period for an annual Sweetheart dinner at his church. He has also written, produced, and directed twenty full-length Christmas plays for his church. Some highlights of his life have been enjoying his family, playing a sousaphone in the Purdue All-American Band, entertaining various groups with his 105 year-old tuba, and singing bass in a barbershop quartet and in the church choir.