Testimonial 25

The folks who have joined this community are its most attractive asset

Why I chose Academy Village :

My decision to live in Academy Village goes back more than seven years.  My son-in-law, a University of Arizona professor, had told me about Dr.Koffler's plans for a unique residential community with an on-site Senior Academy that would focus on continued learning and active paraticipation in civic affairs.  I immediately got involved as a pro-bono volunteer in helping Dr.Koffler's dream become reality.

For more than 25 years I have enjoyed a fully retired, but active, lifestyle in Tucson.  My wife and I moved here in 1976, after my 33 years of federal service in R&D management.  In the National Institutes of Health and later with the NASA space program, I had worked closely in the administrative support of excellent research teams of doctors, scientists, and engineers.  In retirement, I keenly missed their intellectual vigor.

Over these years in Tucson, we had freely moved through three different retirement communities as our needs and expectations changed.  We felt it important to take full responsibility for assuring our own continuing care, rather than leaving our children with a "guilt trip" if they later needed to make the decision for us.

Gradually we became aware that each of these communities lacked an important element for our retirement living.  We realized that most of our neighbor residents had little interest in maintaining an active involvement in the rest of the world.  Community activities seemed to be aimed at keeping the residents busy rather than involved in exploring new challenges.

My wife Marge passed away in 1996, but the Academy Village clearly offered for me the prospect of a community relationship that she and I both would have cherished.  Owning a home rather than renting produces a real sense of belonging.  The Academy Village Community Center provides excellent social and recreational amenities, an extensive wellness program, and complete physical fitness classes.  The Arizona Senior Academy arranges with the U of A for top-quality concerts, lectures, and formal classes conducted on-site.  There is every incentive to keep its members intellectually active and creative, as well as opportunity to contribute, if they wish, some time and experience to the needs of the outside community.

I have now enjoyed three years of residency in Academy Village.  The folks who have joined this community are its most attractive asset.  They are so much more than "rocking chair" or "couch potato" retirees!

Author : Al Siepert.