Kenneth Erwin

I was born and lived in Colorado until high school graduation, where I was the valedictorian of my high school class. Wanting a career as a Nuclear Engineer, I attended the University of Missouri, one of a most well-known nuclear engineering schools in the U.S., and later Penn State University for my graduate degree. I came to CIA through my father, a long time member with a keen interest in ancestry.

I have worked for the federal government for more than 25 years, first as a nuclear reactor regulator at the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and now in a more supportive role for nuclear power as a part of the Department of Energy.

I live in Arlington, VA with my wife and our Golden Retriever, Maggie. My hobbies include travel, snowboarding, and of course tasting rare scotches and whiskies. I am learning Portuguese and speak beginner level German.

John F. Ervin

I am a “Native Floridian”, in that I was actually born and raised in Florida. I attended Florida State University and received a Bachelor of Science in Biology, and my first post college job was in a lab, testing various drugs (not on or in myself). Eventually, I moved into programming of computers and systems programming. Following work at Convergys Corporation (formerly CBIS), I worked with computer equipment (network mostly) and telephone systems until I retired.

My hobbies are divided between playing with computers, playing trumpet and singing, and reading fiction. My favorite genre of singing is classical as I spent about 30 years in the
Bach Festival Choir here in Central Florida, which helped me learn to read German and Church Latin very well. I have no idea what I am reading (no comprehension, just how to pronounce the words).

My family came to America and settled in and around Kingstree, South Carolina in about 1732 and my branch of the family moved to Florida right after the Civil War in about 1867.

Leslie Smeathers

As a nurse since 1982, I have worked in Intensive Care, the ER, as a Flight Nurse, and as an Occupational Health Nurse. Currently I am the Deputy Coroner for our county. My degrees are from Kentucky Wesleyan College and Western Kentucky University.

My husband of 28 years and I, together, have 5 adult children, 16 grandchildren, and 3 great-grandchildren. We have a hobby farm where we operate an apiary, raise chickens, and have a new greenhouse where I plan to grow medicinal herbs, flowers, and vegetables.

Genealogy has been an interest since I was a child helping my mother research for her DAR membership, prior to computers. Being interested in my Irwin/Erwin heritage, I have visited Drum Castle twice. My hope is that Clan Irwin Association will continue to grow and preserve our heritage and use current (DNA) and future technology to reveal even more.

Mary Erwin

I was born and lived in NE Louisiana until my family moved to Kansas City, MO when I was 16. After high school, I entered the insurance industry where I stayed until retirement. I started an independent agency after a few years, and sold it 20 years later. This taught me leadership skills, financial management, and human resources. My involvement with industry associations afforded me the opportunity to learn and utilize parliamentary procedure regularly, which helps with running Clan Irwin Association in a proper manner.

It was in Kansas City that I met my husband of 57 years. We have no children, although with a large immediate and extended family, I have many to love. With genealogy as one of my passions, I am fortunate to expand my family tree even more and learn about my ancestors.

Following retirement, my husband and I moved to Calhoun, LA, where we love the moderate winters and find it a central location for me visit immediate and extended family.

Kyle D. Erwin

I was born in and lived in Peoria, Illinois until graduation from Bradley University with a B.A. My entire career was in the claims/insurance industry with a company representing corporate self-insured clients, providing litigation management, claim administration, and underwriting auditing services. The job required much travel, both nationally and internationally. I was extremely fortunate to “see the world,” even though being on the road 150 days a year was grueling. On many occasions I traveled to the UK, allowing personal side trips to Ireland and Scotland.

In 2009 I met and married my wife, Paula. We live in northern Kentucky and I have discovered “My Old Kentucky Home,” where my ancestors once lived. I have a renewed interest in genealogy and have been able to research at local outlets.

I enjoy cooking, listening to classic jazz, watch and clock collecting, and shooting sporting clays.

John Patterson

Born the Grandson of Bessie (Irwin) Stewart, there is no denying the heritage from which I descend.  The Central Valley of California saw a large influx of Dust Bowl Migrants. As the children of these families began to have their own children, I was among the hoards born in Bakersfield, Ca.

Working for the Bakersfield Fire Department provided a well rounded experience in Community Relations and Public Service.  This experience lead to several roles in Community and Religious Non-profit Groups.  I was honored to serve as Director and Trustee for a religious youth camp and a Scout Master for Boy Scout Troop 442.  My experience in these areas spans more than three decades.

While searching for activities for a Scouting event I came across the Highland Games hosted by the Kern County Scottish Society.  The event was a hit with the Scouts; soon they were begging to paint their faces blue and stage their own games.  What could go wrong with a Troop of boys running through a field staging mock battles?

As my interest in the Scottish Societies activities grew, I happened across a gentleman who had  put pen to paper and documented his family’s history.  As I read through his work it dawned on me that I recognized some of the people and places in his story.  In fact we were able to identify a common relative a few generations back.  Such was my introduction to the Clan Irwin Association.

Following my retirement our family moved to Meridian, Mississippi to be close to extended family.  With the time that retirement affords, I am looking forward to sharing the history and culture of our Scottish roots.