Darrel Kaiser is an unassuming sort of guy. His quick smile and jovial nature make him likable, but it is what most people don't know that makes him remarkable. Kaiser is a prolific author.
Kaiser, a senior system technical representative at the IMMC's Cargo Utility Branch of the Readiness Directorate, has 11 books in print. Five deal with the history and genealogy of the German-Russian people of the Volga Colonies in Europe. In fact, that is where his literary foray began.
"I wanted to know about my heritage and my culture," he said. "I started trying to track down information."
During a two-year assignment in Germany as the AMCOM senior system technical representative for aviation, Kaiser decided to make the most of his proximity to his family's roots. He began traveling to the small towns and villages that his ancestors once called home.
"The government sent me there as a LAR (logistics assistance representative)," he said. "I was able to go visit the places my ancestors lived 225 years earlier."
Once he had researched his family origins as far back as possible, he began compiling the data. He decided to turn his findings into a book. It would be his first.
"It took about 10 years of research and writing to make it a reality," he said.
After completing his genealogical reference, he took his research further. To date he has published four more works dealing with the history and struggles of the region and its people. He hopes to one day write a novel about it.
"There are so many stories. Each name represents a story and a family," Kaiser said.
While in Germany, his wife, Betty, purchased an antique sewing machine for her quilting projects. Because of the limited number of technicians qualified to work on the antique machine, Kaiser spoke with company representatives and was able to persuade them to train him to do the work the machine might require.
Thus, he began another passion: the history and mechanics of the sewing machines from the early part of the 20th century. His formal training in sewing machine repair and maintenance has spanned the years. It includes Pfaff, Bernina, Singer and Standard models.
"They allowed me to train with them," he said. "Some let me attend their training schools for free. I am actually a certified Singer technician."
Kaiser has four books published dealing with antique sewing machines. Three outline the history and progression of the industry and designs, and the last is an illustrated technical manual.
In fact, Kaiser said all of his books are based on the technical manual format of the military. It's where he learned to write.
"I try to write in people language and not technical language," he said. "But I have a technical background. I approach writing in that way."
Kaiser joined the National Guard near his hometown of Fresno, Calif., in 1968, during the Vietnam War. He spent years working on helicopter maintenance full time. After leaving service, he became a member of the civilian work force as a logistics assistance representative for the Missile Command. He traveled the world in support of Army aviation, including two years as the senior instructor for electronics and electrical training at AMCOM's Norbert R. Lutz LAR University in Corpus Christi, Texas.
He said the reason most people are uncomfortable dealing with electronic repair is the highly technical way the field is taught.
"Instruction usually starts with the idea that everyone is going to be designing circuits," he said. "The vast majority of people aren't going to be designing. They just want to do repairs."
To try to translate some of his vast electronic experience into a more practical guide for the average person, Kaiser penned another book: "Basic Electrical Troubleshooting for Everyone." It uses a common sense approach to tracking down common issues.
"It stands to reason that if you walk in a room and the light is off, you should flip the switch first. If that doesn't work, make sure the power is on. Then you change the light bulb," he said. "Everything can be done in that common sense, scientific method."
The true love of Kaiser's life is his wife. Betty's quilts lean more toward art than blanket. In fact, she was a member of the Georgia Olympic Quilt project; and her design was displayed for five months during the 1996 Olympics. To capture the intricacy and beauty of her work, Kaiser worked in secret to put together another book. "The Betty Quilts Picture Book" showcases his wife's quilts in glorious color. When he presented her with the first copy, she was shocked.
"There were some tears," he said. "She was really surprised and deeply touched."
Kaiser has been working on Army aircraft and equipment for almost 38 years. While he has enjoyed it, he knows that one day in the not-too-distant future he will retire. He looks forward to having the free time to do more writing and perhaps finish one of the books he has already started at home.
"I have the beginnings of probably 10 books," he said. "I write when I have a thought. I write until I get that thought or point out. Then I walk away from it. When I have another thought, I go back."
For more information on Kaiser or his books, visit his website, www.darrelkaiserbooks.com.
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