As chaplain he was a firsthand witness to the entire spectrum of human emotions: personal successes and failures; the deepest despairs and the great peaks of joy. These extremes kept one question foremost in his mind: How was it that some people could find inner strengths that brought courage and hope and others could not?

Early on he began considering what could be learned from these hospital experiences that could be useful to the person on the street. What lessons were here that would have a positive and creative effect on routine living?

One feature became of special interest. It was this: The power humor and playfulness have to bring life into the human spirit. This feature soon became his marching orders. Will Rogers, the great American humorist, came to mind. Rogers' living conveyed a sense of play, bringing with it the humor playfulness expresses. His life mirrored what a person could become when free from the tyranny of envy, jealousy and greed. From him the people of his day found hope and courage for themselves.

Will Rogers became Cy's messenger, and Will Rogers, Live! was born.

Cy is a Board Certified member of the Association of Professional Chaplains, native of Kansas, graduate of the University of Texas (Austin) and the Iliff School of Theology, Denver, Colorado. In 1986 Iliff honored him as Alumnus of the Year for his developmental work.