The Straight and Narrow

To understand my motivations, it is necessary to know my background and family circumstances. Heredity, family, moral discipline, and unpredictable circumstances molded my personality. In addition, growing up in Indiana in a hardworking, middle-class family shaped my life and philosophy. Early religious training and family life had a profound influence on my values and, ultimately, my choice of a career. Growing up revolved around church attendance and religious activities.Abraham Lincoln said, 'All that I am or hope to be, I owe to my mother.' To paraphrase Lincoln, 'All I am or hope to be, I owe to my parents, Anton Peter and Ruth Marie.' Dad, a small businessman, lived through the Great Depression, and his economic principles were imbued in his children. Many a time I heard him say, 'If you can’t afford to pay cash you can’t afford it.' This advice cannot be applied across the board, but to pay one’s way, up front, is good strategy for everyday living. Just as important was my mother’s influence; her attitude about self-confidence and determination became a major philosophy in the life of the Sohn children. She consistently stressed, 'You can do anything anyone else can do'To put Sohn family philosophy in its simplest form-decency counts. If I had to give advice learned from my Indiana years-do what is right. Dad related to me on one occasion when we discussed education, 'I don’t sit down and think about something, I just do what is right.' Dad and Mom observed and emphasized strict moral principles. In the true sense of the word, Dad was a good person and had excellence of character. My brother, Bill, had Psalms 37:23 and :27 inscribed on my father’s tombstone: 'The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord and the end of that man is peace.'