FISHINGfor Fellowship AND FINDING FRIENDS


“Learning and adventure have always been important to me,” says Tom Keech, a resident of Ephrata and attendee of Landis Adult Day Services.


T


om’s life is full of exploration and discovery. His journey began with a call to serve his country in the U.S. Army from 1953 to 1957 at Fort Knox in Kentucky. Reflecting on his military service, he recalls, “I learned a lot of basic electronics, and was really good at it. I


learned so much, I was asked to teach a course about the brand new guided missile to Coast Guard officers who needed to learn to keep their commission. Tey were great students!”


After his time in the military, Tom’s thirst for knowledge led him to Bucknell University, where he pursued a degree in chemical engineering. Upon graduation, Tom received a job at Armstrong in Lancaster, where he worked for 29 years. For four of those years, he was asked to move to England, where he made sheet flooring.


But it was in the great outdoors that Tom found his true passion. “My dream was always to hunt big game,” he shares. From the rugged mountains of the Bob Marshall Wilderness to the tranquil streams of northern Pennsylvania, Tom’s hunting expeditions were legendary. One of his favorite things to hunt were large elk. He’s visited almost every western state to hunt.


His adventures weren’t limited to hunting alone. Tom’s other passion was fishing, specifically trout and salmon. “I did a lot of fishing while living in England,” he remembers. “Once, I caught a seven- pound trout, and my friends and I named him Fred. We ate him; he was delicious,” Tom chuckles.


Tough his fishing and hunting days are over, Tom finds joy in helping his grandson learn to fish.


Tom moved to Landis Homes in June. During his initial conversation with the Residency Planning team, they brought up Landis Adult Day Services. Tom was interested and now attends ADS twice a week.


Tom finds solace and companionship at Landis Adult Day Services. “It’s been a very pleasing experience,” he shares. “Te Team here is superb. Tey take care of people with love and lots of care. It’s satisfying to see.” Tom’s favorite activities include participating in trivia with the other clients and attending the many unique programs offered by Landis Adult Day Services. “Once, two young women came in for a presentation – each one of them with a red-tailed hawk on their arm! It was a very interesting program. I learned a lot.”


From the mountains to the streams, Tom’s love for the outdoors is mirrored in the camaraderie and compassion he experiences at Landis Adult Day Services. Amidst the fun and shared stories, he discovers that adventures are also found in the bonds of friendship and the joy of living each moment to the fullest.


10 • Landis.org | FLOURISH | Summer 2024


CULTIVATING COMMUNITY


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