About the Be An Instrument Of Peace (BAIOP) Website Founder - Written September 13, 2004
On September 20, 1950, I was born, (Darryl M. Gumm), at the Memorial Medical Center in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. I was the third of four children of my dad, who was a laborer at the international plumbing ware manufacturing firm called Kohler Company, and my mom who was (and still is) a very devoted homemaker. Graduating from Kohler Public Schools, Layton School of Art and Dale Carnegie Public Speaking and Human Relations Courses, I was lucky to be surrounded by dedicated and effective teachers.
For over thirty years I’ve been an imaging professional in one capacity or another. First as a portrait and wedding photographer, then as an aerial imaging specialist, and now as a digital imaging professional. In 1986, I became a manager of people. For the past eighteen years I have provided leadership to a staff of smart, dedicated and talented people, through problem-solving, motivation and teaching.
(Footnote) By now, you may have discovered, by reading this short biography, that I’ve left out all names but mine. At this point, identifying people by name isn’t needed to tell my story. By reading the material posted on this website, you will come to know the names of the people who have helped shape me into the person that I am. You will also learn that by reading my up-coming book (release date: 9/20/06) Seize The Moment.
For over thirty years, I’ve been married to the same extraordinary woman. She has been my friend, my inspiration, my companion, and the mother of our two wonderful sons. She keeps me humble and provides me with a world-view of many issues. Without her insight and support, this site would never be possible.
In 1982, I began as a volunteer children’s choir director at my home church. After 20 years of getting children to sing, I retired as a choir director. However, the experience provided me with valuable insights and helped to inspire me to work toward peace in our families, communities and the world.
In 1992, I founded a children’s museum called Above & Beyond. More information on that can be found by going to the link on this website entitled Starting A Children’s Museum in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. The multitude of lessons learned through this experience provided me with an education which could not have been obtained in any university. Certainly, this experience helped shape the person I have become.
In 2003, I published a short booklet entitled, Expressions Of Life. This booklet is a collection of my short inspirational writings and poems, which date back to 1972. One of my neighbors, who received my booklet last year, referred to it as hope in a booklet. So in honor of this neighbor, I started a website called www.HopeInABooklet.com.
Since I was in junior highschool, I’ve been interested in politics and world events. I’ve tried to keep informed through sources ranging from the local newspapers to the BBC, to various web sites on the Internet. What I’ve discovered is that throughout world history, peace has never really been given a chance. As a parent and a volunteer in my community, I’ve learned that peaceful living starts at home, at a very early age.
Throughout my life, I have been a very observant participant. I’ve been blessed with multitude of teachers and an insatiable desire to learn. I have become a man on a mission to teach people in our world how to become instruments of peace.
Building a Children's Museum in Sheb., WI - A Founder's Story
Quoteable Quotes | American Democracy, A Work In Progress
Expressions of Life - Hope In A Booklet Online - Click Here