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Meet Your Deacon
A series of short biographies of the Deacons so that our Kirkwood family may get to know us better.

Kris Windhausen - Deacons' Neighborhood
(back-up for Neighborhood 6)

Kris serves as Moderator for the Board of Deacons.

Kris grew up near Rochester, New York, and went to Colgate University, graduating with a B.S. in French literature. Since moving to the Northern Virginia area after college, she has worked in human resources and is now with Emcor Group, Inc., a real estate services company.

Kris sings in the choir and, together with her husband, Ed, teaches the Senior High Sunday School class. Kris enjoys reading, camping, and trips to the beach with her family, which also includes daughters Briana (9) and Lindsey (7).

John Hirsch - Neighborhood #1
(back-up for Neighborhood 2)

John attended Syracuse University and Georgia Tech. He retired from the U.S. Army and is now a systems engineer with the Department of Defense.

At Kirkwood, John serves on the Property Committee and also volunteers as a helper in the Nursery and Toddler Room.
John and his wife, Dianne, have a three-year-old, girl, Katie. His interests include woodworking, home improvement, and family outings.

Un Chu Gebhardtsbauer - Neighborhood #2
(backup for Neighborhood #1)

Un Chu chose to become a member of the Presbyterian church when she was 11 years old. As a teenager, she taught elementary Sunday school for about five years. At 14 she joined the choir, and at age 18 she was elected and ordained a Deacon in the Korean Presbyterian Church.

Un Chu, a teller with Bank of America, enjoys helping the elderly who need assistance, gardening, walking, cooking, and just being with other people. Her husband, Paul, is a civil servant working for the U.S. Army at Ft. Belvoir. They have two children; Theo, 24, and Amy, 22.
Currently, Un Chu sings in Kirkwood’s choir and serves as a liaison between the Kirkwood and Sarang Community Church congregations.

Lynne Hester - Neighborhood #3
( back-up for Neighborhood #4)

Lynne serves as the Transportation Coordinator for the Board of Deacons and organizes the Cinco de Mayo dinner which the Deacons give each year. She is active in other aspects of the life of Kirkwood as a nursery volunteer and a member of the Fellowship Committee.

Lynne graduated from Lander University in Greenwood, South Carolina, with a B.S. in Home Economics. Presently she works at Central Fairfax Services, which provides day programs for physically-and mentally-challenged adults.

Lynne and her husband, Bob, and their children found a common interest in an exciting experience recently. After Lynne and Bob celebrated their 25th anniversary by skydiving (!), Jennifer (22) and Chris (20) decided to celebrate their birthdays the same way. Lynne also enjoys some less challenging activities: gardening, reading, and water aerobics.

Jack Downing (second from right)- Neighborhood #5
(backup for Neighborhood #11)

Jack serves the Deacons by maintaining the Deacon bulletin board and the neighborhood lists.

After graduating from West Point, Jack served 21 years in the Army, retiring in 1979. His varied education experience includes three Masters degrees: Penn State (chemistry); Marymount (MBA); and the University of Southern California (systems management). He also earned a Doctorate in Business Administration from Nova Southeastern University in Florida.

Jack and his wife, Margie, have four children; Diane; Drew; Megan; and Peggy; and 10 grandchildren.
Presently, Jack is the Executive Secretary of his West Point class. He describes himself as a “Civil War buff’ who is also interested in fly-fishing, traveling, and house-exchanging.

Jack has served Kirkwood as an Elder and as a member of the C.E. and Property committees. He currently organizes the tutoring program at Lynbrook Elementary School.

Maggie Snyder (second from right) - Neighborhood 7
(back-up for Neighborhood #8)

Maggie is the Deacon in charge of sending the "goodie boxes" to our college students twice a year just before exams. Maggie graduated from Douglass College of Rutgers University with a B.A. and is now the Educational Director and a teacher of 4-year-olds at Grace Presbyterian Weekday Preschool.

Maggie and her husband, Bob, have three children: Kristin, a senior at the University of Mary Washington; Kelsie, a senior at West Springfield High School; and Kyle, a freshman at WSHS. Maggie enjoys reading, crafts, and refinishing furniture.

Maggie requests that families of college students, or the college students themselves, send her current mailing addresses so that they can receive their "goodie boxes" to sustain them during exams.

Doug Amon - Neighborhood #9
(back-up for Neighborhood #10)

Doug serves as Secretary for the Board of Deacons.

Doug graduated from Grove City College with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering and earned an M.S. in Industrial Engineering at New Mexico State. He retired from the U.S. Air Force in 2000 and is presently employed as an engineer at Millennium Engineering & Integration Co.

Doug and his wife, Sara, serve as Sunday School teachers, and along with their children, Emily (14) and Rachel (9), participate in many Kirkwood activities.

Jonathan Larson - Neighborhood #10
(back-up for Neighborhood #9)

Jon grew up in Kirkwood. He serves as back-up secretary for the Deacons. Jon has a B.A. in Economics from the University of Iowa and an M.B.A. from American University. Presently he is a defense contractor for the U.S. Navy in Washington, D.C., at the Battelle Memorial Institute.

Jon and his wife, Merissa, work with the Junior High youth group. He is also a member of the Property Committee and the Young Adult group. He volunteers as a sound technician and has served as a Sunday School teacher. Jon will be delivering the sermon when the Deacons lead the church service on February 18.

Jon has a variety of interests: golf, soccer, skiing, home improvement, volunteering, exercising, and entertaining. He enjoys being an active Kirkwood member and participating in our social activities.

Marty Wessman - Neighborhood #11
(backup for Neighborhood #5)

Marty serves as an assistant treasurer for the Board of Deacons. She founded Kirkwood’s very successful MOPS program four years ago and continues to be a Mentor Mom for the group, which meets the first and third Wednesday of each month. Marty sings in the choir and is a member of both the Personnel Committee and the Worship Committee.

Marty and her husband, Mark, have two sons: Andrew, who is married to Jillian, and Donny, who is married to Kerry. She enjoys camping, hiking, traveling, reading, and baking.

Anyone interested in assisting with the MOPS program should contact Marty by e-mail: mwessman@verizon.net.