Genetic Occupational Specifics

My Genetic Occupations post identified my observations of the talents and interests covering 6 generations of my family. The occupational choices made were based on talents and interests, but were also based on the career opportunities in vogue at the time.  In the 1850s, everybody was farming. Manufacturing surged from 1850 to 1950. Chemistry was big from the 1850s to 1950s. Medicine began to advance in 1900 and has been big since the 1950s.

Each talent, skill, ability and interest exist independently on the “normal curve” like our IQ with the bottom at Zero, the middle at 100 and the top at 200. Talents appear to be inherited and random.

Medical Occupations - In 1906, my grandpa Couch graduated from medical school. Uncle Tom became a Sales Executive with Squibb. Uncle Jack graduated from medical school in the 1950s. My wife Marlene worked as a Dental Assistant in the 1960s and became a Dental Hygienist in 1986. Two of our girls Lisa and Colleen became Dental Hygienists in the 1990s.  Lisa’s husband is an Executive at McKesson. Our son Tim sells medical equipment for Biomerieux. Our daughter Julie and Marlene’s brother Vernon are MSWs and treated addiction. I worked at Washington University Medical School in the 1970s. Our daughter Julie’s son Charles is headed for Medical School. Marlene’s sister Janet married an Optometrist and both of her girls graduate as Nurses in the 1990s. One of her girls married an MD. Her son married a Nurse.

Musical Talent – Grandma Couch was an opera singer. Grandpa Couch played guitar and sang ditties from the 1880s. Uncle Billy played piano by ear. Uncles Leo and Winfred led a Jazz band in the 1930s. Marlene’s grandpa Buss played the violin. Her cousin Gene led a dance band. Her brothers Ken and Vernon and her sister Janet had a dance band. One of the nephews, Michael had a rock band. I played trumpet and several instruments. I sang and played guitar in my own rock band 3 nights a week in high school. I sang and played bass guitar in a blues band 6 nights a week through college. I sang and played bass guitar in jazz trios on weekends until I was age 32.  Our son Tim played drums in a rock band. Our daughter Julie sings, writes and records music. Colleen’s daughter Elliot plays piano and several instruments and her son Lucas plays piano and drums. Marlene’s sister’s grandkids play piano

Art – My mother was an accomplished sketch artist. Our daughter Julie is also an accomplished sketch artist and painter. Our son-in-law Jonathan is an accomplished videographer and film editor and his daughter Elliot produces YouTube videos. Our great grandson’s father Richard is an accomplished sketch artist.

Sports – My wife Marlene was an accomplished athlete. I played all sports, but not well. Our daughter Lisa is a fitness trainer. Our son Tim is a distance runner. Marlene, Lisa, Colleen and Tim were Life Guards. Lisa, Julie and Colleen were Cheerleaders. Jeanne was a gymnast. Our great grandson Jordan is an accomplished athlete and so was his father. Our son-in-law Jonathan is an accomplished athlete and his son and daughter have talent. Marlene’s brother’s son Matt was a snowboarding champion. Marlene’s sister Janet’s grandkids play soccer and hockey.

Barbering – Marlene’s father Gus was a barber. Her brother Ken is a barber. Two of our daughters Jeanne and Michelle are barbers.

Construction – Marlene’s brother Vernon’s son Matt and our great grandson’s father Richard own Construction Companies.

Investing – My grandpa Leahy became wealthy investing in Olin Chemical and other companies in the 1930s. My brother Bob became wealthy investing in stocks.

Homeschooling – Our daughters Lisa, Julie and Colleen have homeschooled their children.

Ministry – My grandpa Dr. Couch ran a rural medical charity practice every Saturday with house-calls to poor farmers in his home county and was paid in produce.  I sang in Church Choirs since 7^th grade. I served as Lector and Cantor since 1966. Marlene and I ran Marriage Encounter and Engaged Encounter and were Parish Marriage Ministers. I served on Parish Councils and served as a Choir Director. Our 6 kids and our 13 grandkids have been extremely active in Church as Leaders, Musicians and Missionaries

Humor – Marlene and I both have families who highly value wit and humor. Marlene’s mom Josephine was our role-model. Her sons Ken and Vernon are a riot.

Life Skills – Most of our relatives in 6 generations demonstrated ability

Politics – We are 6 generations of Conservatives.

We all do more than our primary occupations. Our talents and interests lead us to use them.

Norb Leahy, Dunwoody GA Tea Party Leader