My family’s first experience with The Village at Augsburg came long before I became a chaplain at the community.
The Connection My family’s first experience with The Village at Augsburg came long before I became a chaplain at the community. In the early 1990s, my mother, Lillie Mae Houston, worked as a geriatric nursing assistant at Augsburg for about five years. It was a great position for her because she desired to help people and we lived close by. She provided years of devoted care to Augsburg’s residents.
Later, I came to know Augsburg as a volunteer preacher while I was the pastor of Augsburg Lutheran Church. I would volunteer on some Sundays and bring our whole choir to worship with the community. As Augsburg’s chaplain, I feel I am carried by her loving spirit while working here.
What inspires you about Augsburg?
I am inspired by Augsburg’s history and the opportunity to serve.
What aspect of Augsburg’s work gives you the most satisfaction?
Working with diverse people from all walks of life.
Barbara Kale
We chose to be married at Augsburg because we knew this would become our place of worship while living here.
The Connection
I first met my husband, Nathan, in 1962 when he was the pastor of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Upperco, Maryland. We stayed connected through the years and got to know each other better later in life. Two years before Augsburg expanded its independent living residences, we decided to be the first ones on the list for the new apartments and got married in the old chapel. We chose to be married at Augsburg because we knew this would become our place of worship while living here.
Interestingly, Nathan went to seminary with Rev. Rod Gatzke, who married us, as well as Bishop Paul Orso, who was an Augsburg resident.
What inspires you about Augsburg?
Several things! But most importantly, the opportunities to do things with meaning. In my time here, I’ve taught quilting at the local senior center and served as the Residents’ Council president. I also appreciate the safe, welcoming environment and having a chaplain on site as well as the space to worship.
What aspect of Augsburg’s work gives you the most satisfaction?
It’s simple: helping people.
John Lane
My mother came to Augsburg in the 1990s because of its diversity and acceptance.
The Connection My mother, Genesta Lane, was an assisted living resident at The Village at Augsburg for 16 years. When she unfortunately passed away at 97 years old, we held the service at Augsburg and were so touched by the reception.
My mother came to Augsburg in the 1990s because of its diversity and acceptance. In her time living there, she frequently mentioned that there was always something to look forward to through all of the activities. Her favorite event was a huge birthday celebration the staff, residents, and our family threw her for her when she turned 95.
What inspires you about Augsburg? The attentiveness and kindness of the team members.
What aspect of Augsburg’s work gives you the most satisfaction? The soul and caring nature of the mission.
Tyrone Pittman
There are always signs that tell people where they need to be.
When Pittman came to Augsburg, he never imagined he would cross paths with a former colleague, Rob Wolfe. Rob Wolfe is Augsburg’s dining services director through an affiliation with Sodexo, Augsburg’s dining services partner.
What follows is Pittman’s story about Wolfe’s formative impact on his personal life and early career and how his connection with Wolfe was renewed through The Village at Augsburg.
The Connection
There are always signs that tell people where they need to be. They’re easy to miss, but hard to deny. When I saw Rob come to Augsburg during my time working here, I knew I was at the right place.
After my first year in the Marine Corps, I started working at Ruby Tuesday. That’s where I first met Rob Wolfe. Rob was the managing partner at Ruby Tuesday at the time. He had a persona of leadership that I admired. He commanded attention, yet treated team members with respect and gave us the autonomy to learn from our mistakes. I learned a lot from Rob: leadership, how to speak to people and organization skills.
My leadership training and culinary training are two of the most important things that happened to me, and both came to me through Rob. The lessons I learned from Rob are essential in my life — both at work and in my family life as a father of four children.
What inspires you about Augsburg? At Augsburg, it’s not just a job, it’s a career. I’m inspired working with team members who have been here 20-30 years. With me being five years in, I want to keep trying my hardest to give excellent meals for residents.
What aspect of Augsburg’s work gives you the most satisfaction?
Cooking for residents and getting close to them. Beyond the job, residents have gotten to know my children’s stories and who I am as an individual
