SPACE AGE
RENAISSANCE MAN
THE INSPIRATIONAL STORY OF DR HAROLD L. FINCH
AS TOLD TO HIS SON, GREG FINCH
100% of the book's profits will support educational scholarships for young people.
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HAROLD L. FINCH
GREG FINCH
PIONEER SPACE SCIENTIST, EDUCATIONAL TRAILBLAZER, ENTREPRENEUR, PHILANTHROPIST, and MOVIE PRODUCER
WRITER AND EDUCATOR
Dr. Harold Finch was born in the heart of the Great Depression. As a young boy he often thought of himself as poor, but his wise mother would say to him, "Harold, you are not poor, you are rich! You have God who loves you and you have a good mind. Your future is bright." Her wisdom proved to be prophetic as well as inspirational. Now looking back over his multi-faceted professional career there is little doubt that God gifted Dr. Finch with rich experiences that would be invaluable in his research and quest for a better understanding of the fundamental elements and essence of success.
As a scientist, Dr. Finch played a key role as a project director for the Apollo spacecraft program. As an educator, he was instrumental in founding Johnson County Community College, an institution still consistently ranking as one of the top community colleges in the U.S. As an entrepreneur, he founded two separate and distinct INC 500 businesses. And at age 80 Harold was challenged to make a movie inspired by his life.
Dr. Finch and his wife, Peggy, were married 67 years and have three married children, six grandchildren, and three great grandchildren.
Greg’s career as a high school history teacher (and university adjunct) has spanned three decades. His accolades include:
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​2019: Teacher of the Year, Summit Christian Academy, Lee’s Summit, MO.
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2020: Teacher of the Year, regional Great Plains Alliance of Christian Schools.
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2022: The Outstanding Teacher of American History, Missouri State Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Greg is the only Christian school educator to have received this award, of which all history teachers in all Missouri schools are eligible.
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2022: Excellence in Education Award recipient, a national Teacher of the Year recognition, Stanley M. Herzog Foundation.
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2024: VFW Post 5789 Teacher of the Year and post recipient of the Smart/Maher Veterans of Foreign Wars National Citizenship Educational Award.
Greg was published previously as a contributor of inspirational writing and poetry in a book titled Dedicated Parent (Amazon). He has been married to his wife Pam for forty years and is the father of Bethany, Emily, and Jonathan, and grandfather of Jaxon, Alexa, and Aniston.
Dr Harold Finch was born in the heart of the Great Depression
As a young boy he often thought of himself as poor, but his wise mother would say to him, "Harold, you are not poor, you are rich! You have God who loves you and you have a good mind. Your future is bright." Her wisdom proved to be prophetic as well as inspirational. Now looking back over his multi-faceted professional career there is little doubt that God gifted Dr. Finch with rich experiences that would be invaluable in his research and quest for a better understanding of the fundamental elements and essence of success.
Young Boy
Work Experience
Mid 1961 - Late 1963
June 1967 - Fall 1969
Spring 1977 - Fall 2002
Early 1990's -
As a Scientist
Dr. Finch played a key role as a project director for the Apollo spacecraft program. He pioneered the thermodynamic computer systems needed to protect astronauts and lunar vehicles against heating and cooling hazards in outer space voyages. He was one of 11 Americans invited to speak at the 1964 World Congress of Astronautics held in Warsaw, Poland.
As an Educator
Dr. Finch was instrumental in founding Johnson County Community College and in successfully rushing it into operation in record time--one year! Now, over fifty years later, the institution still consistently ranks as one of the top community colleges in the U.S.
As an Entrepreneur
Dr. Finch founded two separate and distinct INC 500 business, Padgett-Thompson and CottageCare. Padgett-Thompson provided corporate training and in just over five years Dr. Finch and his teaching specialists trained almost one million business professionals, owners, CEOs, managers, and supervisors. CottageCare is a nationwide house-cleaning franchisor, and in its first six years 50 offices in the U.S. and Canada were established. God blessed both these ventures so that this humble layman might be able to fully devote his time to matters close to his heart.
As an Inspiration to Others
His greatest joy and blessing as a result of his business achievements has come from his family's Wellspring Foundation which has sponsored over a thousand missionaries. He himself has ministered extensively--mostly in the slums and poorest communities of India, Africa and the Americas. Dr. Finch, along with his wife Peggy, spent 67 years in Missouri before he recently passed away (2023). He is survived by Peggy and their three married children, six grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.
MOTION PICTURE
At age 80 Harold was challenged to make a movie.
The naysayers laughed and a seasoned film producer told him his dream was impossible as he didn't have the experience and knowledge and was too old. But once again Harold put into practice his success principles and successfully produced and release the acclaimed movie, Unlimited.
The movie played in sold out theaters and today is available for streaming on Youtube, Roku, Amazon Prime/Amazon Digital, PureFlix/Affirm, Hoopla, Pluto TV, Redeem TV, Christian Cinema, Tubi, IMDb, PremierDigital/Google Play, Vudu/Fanango at Home, Ameritronic TV, and Freevee
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DVD available for purchase on Amazon
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