Endorsements
An inspiring story of a remarkable man and his entire family pursuing their vision with clarity, integrity, and hard work. They overcame extraordinary challenges and hardships along the way but persevered with dedication to their faith and their values. Elling is a true Living Legend of Aviation—always optimistic about the outcome, never quitting, and achieving great success. I have known him and his family for nearly 50 years, and they have my highest respect and admiration.
—Bruce R. McCaw, Seattle Businessman and Philanthropist
This engaging memoir teaches all of us to search for solutions to our challenges, our detours in life. A compelling, urgent read for anyone who commits to succeed—or even more, to achieve significance in their business or personal life.
—Gary Carlberg, President, Simutech International, Inc.; Gregoriann “Greg” Hanna, Managing Broker, John L. Scott Real Estate
In sharing his remarkable story, Elling Halvorson teaches us about the possibilities that await when we embrace the unexpected. Through his core values of hard work, fortitude, faith, and humility, he has achieved an extraordinary level of success that enables him to embody the meaning of generosity. Elling is generous with his big ideas, contagious can-do spirit, and in giving back to the community. One shining example is the Elling & Barbara Halvorson Cancer Center at EvergreenHealth. This world-class facility for treating people facing cancer encourages healing and inspires patients daily to have faith and hope. After reading Elling Halvorson’s memoir, I think you will be inspired to view life’s detours as pathways to your own remarkable destiny.
—Robert Malte, CEO Emeritus, EvergreenHealth, Kirkland, Washington
LWTech is so fortunate to have had Elling Halvorson serve as a Trustee of the College for over eight years. His visionary, generous, and kind leadership as a trustee led to his reputation on campus as the father of the institute of technology. Indeed, without Elling’s business acumen, community stewardship, and an unsurpassed love of family, we would not have predicted the demand for pragmatic bachelor’s degrees for our local students. Today we are Washington State’s only public institute of technology with ten applied bachelor’s degrees. Elling challenged our college to take a major leap forward, to change our name, and expand our offerings.
Moreover, Elling and Barbara have both kept a close eye on the college after Elling’s term as trustee concluded. They continue to give generously to prepare the next generation of nurses. They even created the Elling and Barbara Halvorson Endowed Scholarship for Outstanding Nurses. As a result of many years of support of the college and our students, the current Board of Trustees honored Elling with the College’s first Trustee Emeritus award. He embodies the motto of Service above Self.
It has been an honor and a privilege to come to know Elling, Barbara, and their family. I am so pleased his story is being told.
—Dr. Amy Morrison Goings, President, Lake Washington Institute of Technology
I just finished reading every word of Elling Halvorson’s fascinating memoir, Detours to Destiny. Full of high-risk adventures, significant setbacks, and amazing recoveries, one might say that Elling has really made a name for himself. But Elling would disagree. Woven throughout every chapter of his life (and recorded in these pages) are core values that give much deeper meaning to life than self promotion. Easy to read, and rich with knowledge, humor, honesty, and wisdom, Elling’s memoir brings hope and confidence to those detours we all experience, and it teaches us how to make the most of this precious life we’ve been given. A read like this is truly a faith-builder!
—Rev. Steven J. Brue, past president of Hillcrest Lutheran Academy, Fergus Falls, MN
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