Tony considers himself a small-town guy at heart. He grew up in western Wisconsin and after graduating from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Tony moved to the Twin Cities in search of both work and opportunity. The area seemed to offer the strongest job market, and it became home for the next chapter of his life. He spent 15 years working at Control Data and then 17 years at Minnesota Public Radio, where he worked in technical support.

Tony has been married for 15 years and speaks warmly about his wife, whom he jokingly describes as “the smart one” in the family. She earned a PhD in Chemistry while working full-time, something he greatly admires. Recently, she underwent surgery to receive a spinal implant intended to help manage chronic pain, and Tony has been supporting her through that recovery.

A lifelong reader, Tony’s love of books began in childhood. One of his favorite memories is visiting the public library in his small hometown. Although the selection was limited, he enjoyed browsing the shelves and discovering new stories. Today, he reads a great deal of fiction, and he and his wife also enjoy listening to audiobooks together. In addition to reading, he is currently enjoying a television series about geology.

At this stage of life, Tony is seeking companionship because he feels he has become too sedentary and somewhat disconnected from others. He wants to establish and maintain meaningful connections rather than gradually lose touch with people. He wants to be an active participant in life rather than sitting back and becoming complacent. He describes his goal simply: to be part of the world and not hide from it.

When getting to know a new friend, Tony is most interested in hearing about their personal story. He enjoys learning where people grew up, what experiences shaped them, and the paths they have taken through life. To Tony, a good friend is someone with whom he can talk about many different topics and someone who brings a unique perspective or life experience to the conversation.