Daniel Roemmelt

When I was a youngster, I was lamenting

that I didn’t know what I wanted to be when I grew up. My dad said it’s not so important what you do, but how you do it, I want people to

say about you that you were a kind and decent and fair person. I took that advice and tried to live my life with those values in mind.

I discovered at age 13, that despite my dad being the baseball coach, I was never going to be an athlete. My parents soon sent me to art lessons at our local museum. From that first class, I

realized this is something that I could excel at. I am so grateful that I built a career as an art teacher, and now in retirement, I paint almost

daily in my studio.

Folks that don’t know me well, would say I’m shy and quiet. But those who really know me would say that I’m easy-going and comfortable to be around. I’m a good friend, I’ll be there for you.

I am from a very small town in upstate New York, where there were no identifiable resources

when coming out. But, in a single summer, I divorced my wife, came out as gay and had my first male partner. Frankly, I was scared of

losing my job. It was my principal who provided a safe place for me to be who I was, and to serve as a role model and resource to my students.

As a very small child, I discovered in our community library, an oversized art book of the work of Norman Rockwell. I was fascinated, studied each image diligently, and I think this is what began my journey as an artist.

 Though I did not come out until age 34, I would not change my journey. It played out successfully, without anguish, and in a positive way.

I went off to art school and graduated with a fine arts degree and no way to really apply the skills to a career. It was when starting work on my masters degree that I realized perhaps teaching was my calling. I cherished each day in the classroom and look back fondly.

 I have never put much faith in that question & have relied on myself for any answers! 

 I'm exceedingly open about ALL my feelings. Love people;especially open like myself. Since I live far away from the friends in L.A. that I had for such a long time I send out General emails about what's happening in my life now & sometimes I get replies; but often not & I don't let it bother me! 

 In the private room in a restaurant I don't remember the name of on Restaurant Row on La Cienega, CA It was a birthday party for a dear friend given by her Billionaire husband & there were 30 of us drinking $800.00 wines with a Chef preparing the food b4 our eyes! 

 Be yourself as much as you can be & don't look for miracles. 

 I was short, fat, Jewish & the smartest kid in class; but without friends! Graduated Hi school at 16; which was too early socially! I lived in Libraries reading biographies of Royalty & dreaming I was one! Still do & of noted people a well. Musicals from Broadway were for me. Not too much Opera until I learned to understand them in their original languages. Really lived in a Dream World until I reached adulthood! Was a terrific dancer & won Lindy contests with the prettiest girls that loved to dance with me. Not interested in them romantically as I've been gay since birth. Had 4 stepmothers after my Mother died when I was 6 months of age. 

 Anything that will hold my interest & involves my participation.  

 I have never had a "chosen career"? Went to school to be a Dr but test showed I had too much empathy & would be a better Nurse-not for me- Music came next & I had a great voice & had developed a good body. Uncle was a producer on Broadway & put me in shows. Went to Europe with a famous black singer & after contract was over, stayed in Paris for 2 years in various shows, went to the Sorbonne to learn cooking w/Julia, came back to L.A. & became a shoe factory & retail store owner, was a hairdresser, Insurance Underwriter, managed tours around the World for 30 years & have been in 119 countries. Had a lover for 43 years & adopted 2 children in 1965 & 66. he died of cancer in 2000. while I was a Personal & Business Mgr. Retired at 70 & married a Hungarian that didn't work out. Moved to FL in 2008 & met 2 years later & have been legally married to an Irish soccer,triathlon,cyclist who is 42 years my junior since 2013! 

 Fight even though you may have your ass kicked, it’s better than looking like you are weak and allowing the bullying to continue.  

 All the men and woman who paved the way for all of us today. I came out at 41 and my story was not a horrible one because of all the work that was done by those wonderful brave men and women.  

 When my Forster sister came to live with us. I was 5 and everything she owned was in a paper grocery bag. But I also lost my bedroom and had to move in with my brother!! Lol.  

 People may say that I am a fiber artist, but I just say I’m a fiber crafter. I knit, crochet, spin, weave, die and some other stuff. Anyone want to learn let me know!?!  

 I try to be friendly to all and try to treat people with the best respect I can. I think life is just about loving and being good neighbors.  

  Now that I’m single it’s so important to have a community to connect with and socialize with. 

 Lol! My career was insurance claims. The joke at work always was that nobody ever picks insurance you just end up in it somehow!