For the past 15 years, my wife and children have urged me to write about my life and experiences. Until recently, I resisted this suggestion, thinking that no one would be interested in my memoirs. However, my retirement "in phases" has given me more time to reflect on what I have seen and done in my 82 years - time to "come up for air," so to speak. So in August of 2010, I put pen to paper and began writing.

I am blessed to live in a country where a dirt-poor kid from a tenant farmingfamily in Wisconsin can seize opportunities presented to achieve a top-notcheducation and become a successful physician. In my wildest childhood dreams, I wouldn't have imagined any of this would happen, nor would my parents. You are invited to travel with me in this life time journey.

Dr. Herbert Sandmire obtained his medical degree from the University ofWisconsin in 1953. He has been in practice in Green Bay as an obstetriciansince 1959 until his retirement in May of 2010. He has delivered just under11,000 babies. He is an emeritus clinical professor at the University ofWisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health but had his practice in GreenBay. More than 700 practicing physicians have had part of their training orpost-graduate fellowship experience under his direction in Green Bay.

Despite a busy practice he has found time to author 47 peer reviewed publications and has been the recipient of 19 prestigious awards. In Decemberof 2010, by invitation, he presented a lecture to the French National College ofGynecologists and Obstetricians and that same evening at the Eiffel Tower wasinducted as a member in honor of their organization.