Bert Wortel is our Program Director.  He is originally from Holland and moved to the states at age 27 in 1965. He became a US citizen in 1968.  He is a graduate marine engineer. He worked in the Merchant Marine and spent 5 years at sea on freighters, passenger liners, etc.  He met his wife Ursula in Milwaukee in 1962 and they got married in 1963. They have 3 boys and 1 girl, and 4 grandchildren. They have lived in Orlando since 1989.

Although he traveled a lot in the Merchant Marine(5-6 times around the globe) he still likes to travel. They recently did a 14 day cruise in South America including around Cape Horn.  Their next trip is to Europe and to visit some of the US National Parks. 

Following the merchant Marine he worked for Allis-Chalmers, world wide company that produced heavy and industrial machinery, for 20 years off and on.  He was involved in the design of the aircraft carrier Nimitz.  He semi-tired in 1989 doing free lance work and consulting. He also has real estate holdings to provide income. 

His philosophy has always been to get totally educated into whatever he has an interest in.  When he became interested in scuba diving he became a master scuba diver. When he got interested in fighting he got a black belt.  When he got interested in  woodworking in 1994-1995, he got a Masters Degree from Marc Adams school after attending 10 classes.  He has also taken a month class with Lonnie Bird.  The best advice he can give to other woodworkers is to take advantage of as much education you can get. It may take some money and time.  Of course this is a good time for me to say that being a Guild member is the best way to Educate yourself.  You have all the experienced helping the world with our members who you can call for help.  You have outside teachers brought in to provide classes at lower prices than you would pay to attend their classes.  You have our monthly programs.  And you have Woodcraft which also provides classes at reasonable prices.

Bert’s worst project was constructing a large 3 section bookcase out of plywood. Each section was 70”high, 36” wide and he had to move everything around in his 2 car garage at the time to construct it.  He doesn’t do plywood any more!  His favorite project was a Secretary desk.  Bert likes to make 18th century reproductions.  You can see some of his furniture on his website classicfurniturego.com. Right now he is working on 3 clocks and a big desk.  He plans to sell 2 of the clocks.  The 3rd  is a grandmother clock is being made out of tiger maple and is for him.  He also repairs clock casings for a clock manufacturer. 

Thanks Bert for giving us an insight to your activities, philosophy and life.