Dan Atcheson's Page

My Facebook Page	Papa's Page	In July of 2004, Papa was the seventh person to be inducted into the Monterey High School Alumni Hall Of Fame out of 23,000 alumni. Click on the Monterey logo above to see the Website.
	Dan Atcheson (Papa) graduated from Texas Tech University with a bachelor's degree in mathematics. There are some of Papa's college memories at Dan's College Days. Papa writes books for a living. He spends a lot of time solving problems using mathematics, including the use of triple integration (calculus), matrix theory and differential equations. His "bag" is figuring out the volumes of strangely-shaped solids.

PAPA IN HIS PLAY PEN (1999)
(Photo by Luke Murphy)

He also tests the "calculation engines" for new programs. Papa must have one of the greatest jobs in the world. Some nights I see him drawing pictures and writing formulas, and every once in a while, he shouts, "That's it! That's the solution!" Papa really loves his work!

From time to time, Papa does work as a consultant. Click here to see what he does:
Dan Atcheson-Construction Cost Estimator

(Photo by Dan Rooks)

Here's Papa's favorite quote:

When I work at what I love, I endeavor to be the best in the world at it;
not for the bragging rights, should this come to pass, but because
no matter the outcome, I know I've done the best I can.
(Dan Atcheson, 2004)

Papa's interest in mathematics started in his childhood with a tremendous interest in astronomy. Papa had loving parents and his dad helped him build an observatory on their ranch in West Texas.

THE OBSERVATORY (1969)

SKYDIVING (1967)

But Papa is not necessarily a "bookworm." He's done some pretty exciting things in his life, although not necessarily smart. He made six parachute jumps with an old army parachute.

FIRST SCUBA
LESSONS (1990)

INSTRUCTOR
GRADUATION (1992)

DIVE BENEATH
THE LEDGE (100 FEET)

JUST PLAYING
AROUND AT 125 FEET

DECOMPRESSING
AT 30 FEET

SERIOUS DIVING
(PREPARING FOR
174 FEET)

Papa got his dive instructor certification and made over a hundred dives. Before his diving career ended, Papa lucked into a job at the Warm Mineral Springs Archaeological Research Project funded by Florida State University. Papa had the rare distinction of being a professional diver! Papa also holds the Florida State record for a decompression chamber dive to 220 feet!

FLYING A PARAMOTOR (1998)

Papa also got a "wild hair" to fly a paramotor. He sat in a harness attached to a para-wing, and behind the harness was a gas engine and propeller. Papa flew to an altitude of 1200 feet and got his wings. By the way, Papa is terrified of heights above two floors!

GETTING MY WINGS

PLAYING AT
CHURCH (2001)

Papa plays six musical instruments, but drums are his favorite. He still occasionally plays for his church.

If we go way back, Papa started playing professionally in 1960 with a band called the Velveteens. The group's name was changed to the Traveling Salesmen in 1966, when they cut a record for a major record company.

OUR RECORD (1966)

(From left to right:
Dan Atcheson, Rick Carnrick, Tim Atcheson, John Scarbrough, Mike Atcheson)

THE TRAVELING SALESMEN BAND (1985)

SINGIN' A SONG (1985)

Papa's band was good. They either accompanied, or were the "front band" for Jackie Wilson, Bobby Goldsboro, Freddie King, Johnny Rivers and Johnny Crawford (Rifleman's son). At one time, Papa even "ran" with Joe B. Mauldin and Jerry "Ivan" Allison (The Crickets--Buddy Holly's band). Papa also knew the "forgotten Cricket," Nicky Sullivan. Papa also ran with Joey Dee ("Peppermint Twist"). The Salesmen got together one last time for a couple of gigs in 1985. The added blessing was that Papa got to play with his two brothers, Mike (far left), Tim (far right), and Rick Carnrick on drums.

Back to the "brainy" stuff--Papa has 187,528 books in print. We sometimes wonder if anyone actually reads them. But seriously, Papa says that without his daddy's help by illustrating the first book, Papa would have never accomplished his dream of becoming an author (Wow! That's a fancy word for a simple country boy from Texas).

The fourth book that Papa wrote is doing very well. It's a required book for anyone taking a roofing state license exam in the states of Florida, North Carolina, Michigan, Mississippi, Nevada, Tennessee, Utah and Illinois.

Papa served the county government for five years. Friends asked him to run for county commissioner, but Papa declined because a dear friend had already announced his candidacy. Also, Papa had already had a belly-full of politics.

Papa carves wood as a hobby. It's hard, tough and sweaty work, but he enjoys it and it helps keep him in shape. Papa's bled gallons of blood over the years doing this, but he loves it too much to stop.

Papa's Carvings

God has really blessed Papa! Click Here to Meet some of Our Friends.