Stephen T. Gerdel has been active in creative efforts for most of his life. He participated in plays, musicals, operas and concerts throughout his high school and college careers. Gerdel is an accomplished musician, humorist and writer published in nationally distributed periodicals, author of four works of fiction, and a veteran of more than thirty-five years in business in the financial services industry. Gerdel continues his work in financial services while writing, making music, working in his flower and vegetable gardens, and enjoying a full life he and his wife Jan share with their five children, sons- and daughters-in-law, and their fifteen grandchildren. Steve and Jan Gerdel live in Washington, Missouri.