Table of Contents — My Life's Journey

The chapters below trace the arc of my life's journey. Here are your options for exploring this memoir:

📖 Chapter Summaries

Click any chapter to read a summary of a pivotal period. Navigate chronologically to get a complete overview of my life.

📄 Book Chapters

Read or listen to full chapters via PDF, eReader, or audio at the bottom of each summary. Access all audios in the Audio Book section.

🎖️ Bonus Story

Discover the heroics of my father, Norman Heuring, during his Korean War service in the bonus content below.

The Chapters

Deep Roots: My German Ancestry and Heritage

Tracing sixteen family lines and discovering how German immigrant farmers shaped my foundation.

Early Life: An Idyllic and Sheltered Childhood

Growing up in 1950s St. Michael—a small German Catholic town built on faith, family, and farming.

Navigating Two Worlds: Catholic and Public School Life

When my Catholic high school closed, I faced freedom I wasn't ready for—and early cracks in my faith.

Wake-up Call: The Air Force Years

Military service in Thailand opened my eyes to the world and challenged everything I'd been taught.

From Collapse to Clarity: The Path That Found Me

From broke and aimless in Bangkok to finding my calling—a job posting changed everything.

First Step of the Plan: Building the Foundation

Returning to Minnesota and Hawaii to earn the credentials that would launch my international career.

Life as an Expat: Adjusting to a Muslim Country

Three years in Saudi Arabia's contradictions—generous pay, strict rules, and compound life.

Career Leap: Opportunity and Challenges

A decade in Egypt transformed me from university lecturer to confident educational leader.

Running the Show: Two Large Training Projects

Leading multi-million dollar programs in the UAE—and finding Alisa during those twelve years.

Capstone Years: At the Top of my Game

From D.C. to Jordan to remote work in Thailand—building e-learning platforms and becoming a father again at 68.

Daddy Dave Round Two: The Journey Back to my Roots

Retirement in Thailand became a return to Minnesota—reconnecting with family and raising Anya.

Epilogue: Reflections, Connections and Closing Thoughts

Looking back with gratitude at a nonconformist life lived fully across continents and cultures.

🎧 Complete Audio Book

Listen to all chapters in one place

Access Audio Book →

Bonus Content

🎖️ My Dad: One of the Chosin Few — The unforgettable story of Norm Heuring's Korean War Experience