15 minutes with Andy Diller

What year did you graduate from BHS?  Can you share a few memories or thoughts that spring to mind when you think of growing up in Bluffton?

I loved my time growing up in Bluffton. Larry and Kevin Smith, Jason Buroker and Doug Schweingruber were my best friends growing up. I’ve got great memories of riding bikes, building forts, and playing in the Riley Creek with them.

My thoughts about childhood are that it was safe, easy and fun. I grew up in a wonderful and supportive family, too. I’ve met many, many people who can’t say a lot of those things.

I graduated from High School in 1988. In High School I hung around with Chris Hardesty, Jonathan Wilch, Nate and Keith Stechschulte, and Dave Basinger to name a few. We certainly had our share of good times, including a most improbable vacation to Daytona Beach in the summer of 1987.

The teachers that have stuck with me throughout the years are Mrs. Shetler, Mr. Brown, Ms. Jeffs, and Ms. Weaver. We were lucky to have such great teachers. I only wish I would have paid attention a little more in, oh, just about every class I ever took in high school.

Where do you and your family live? Tell us what kinds of things your family likes to do together? Is there anything that the kids are too young for now but that you are looking forward to sharing with them later?

Sherry and I have been married for 18 years. We live in Hardin County and my 4 kids are all Hardin Northern Polar Bears. We like driving and exploring new places. 

When you have a bunch of kids, making one trip to a zoo, museum, or science center is cost prohibitive, so we usually get a membership, and then we can go to any of the member sites for free. So we’ve gone to most of those places in Ohio at least once, and many of the ones in surrounding states.

I’ve enjoyed all the kid’s different developmental stages. I’m not sure what is in store for the future. I’m too busy coaching and running the kids to band practice, basketball games, cheerleading, soccer games, scout campouts, choir practice and football games.

I love this time with my kids and I don’t want to think about when they grow up and it all ends.

When you trade your time for money, what do you do?  Do you enjoy your work?

I’m the SSA Director for the Hardin County Board of Developmental Disabilities. I work with people of all ages and all levels of ability and link them to the services they need - from helping someone find a place to live, obtaining a job, assisting a person with behavior supports, or getting help with health issues.

We help families and individuals get the services they need to live their lives as independently and typical as possible. We serve people from birth though the end of their lives, so it can encompass a lot of unique challenges. The world of developmental disabilities can be confusing and difficult to navigate.

I love my job. Working with people with disabilities is rewarding and professionally challenging. Working for a smaller county board allows us to do many different jobs and there is always something new to learn.

Got any fish tales?  Any favorite places to fish? 

I keep my fly rods and disc golf discs in the trunk of my car at all times. I’m ready at a moment’s notice to do either. The past 5 or 6 years I’ve enjoyed learning about fly fishing, and the last few years I’ve targeted nothing but carp.

Carp are pretty tough to land on a fly rod, and almost no one else thinks they are worth catching so I’ve got them all to myself.

Most of my kids are still into fishing and that’s something we can do together. Fly fishing for
carp often involves walking through muddy creek beds, which is something my kids also enjoy, so It works out perfectly.

Some of my favorite local places to carp fish are the eastern end of Tawawa Park in Sidney, the Blanchard River in Findlay near Riverside park, the back side of Schoonover Lake in Lima, and a secret spot on the Olentangy River near Delaware.

What books are you reading?

I’m finishing up some books I've been meaning to read. I just finished True Grit by Charles Portis and am getting ready to read Bill Bryson’s At Home. Honestly, I haven’t been reading as many books as I used to since I discovered podcasts.

I used to read and listen to audiobooks non-stop, but they have been replaced by about 15 podcasts that I listen to regularly. I’m not sure it’s an even exchange, but it’s what I’m enjoying now. I’m sure when this podcast phase ends I’ll be back at the books again.

You and your family had a chocolate dessert competition this past holiday when you were home with Sam and Joan. How many desserts did you make and which was your favorite?

I was responsible for 1 of the 6 desserts that weekend. I made chocolate covered potato chips, which were ok, but not nearly as good as the Dark Chocolate Pomegranate Tart my wife made. It was delicious.

The next time we get together we’re having a Cinnamon Roll contest. I’m thinking of making Bacon Cinnamon Rolls, but I’m open to any reader suggestions.