About the Author
I have been practicing as a pediatrician in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, since 1975. The town faced significant challenges following a devastating flood in 1976, which compounded the struggles it was already experiencing as a former steel town. The flood led to the departure of the steelworks and many residents, leaving the community in a difficult position. Johnstown has a rich and fascinating history, which inspired me to gather local writers to contribute to a book that reflects various aspects of the town’s past. This collaboration culminated in the publication of “Johnstown: The History of a Unique Valley” in 1984. My role as editor allowed me to engage closely with many talented writers, which sparked my own desire to write. I began with short stories published in a local journal, “The Loyalhanna Review,” and eventually completed my first novel, “Clipperton,” in 2006, followed by my second novel, “The Wound Closest to the Sun,” in 2021. I have also finished a third novel, which is yet to be published. The themes of my novels are deeply influenced by my upbringing in postwar Germany, where I was born during World War II. They explore the heavy shadows of a complex and painful history, addressing the unspoken guilt of the previous generation. My stories encompass love, courage, adventure, as well as failure and guilt. I am a proud parent of two children and continue to work part-time as a pediatrician while also teaching
