Endorsements: Retirement Is Not for Sissies

Harold Myra, long-time Executive Chair and CEO
of Christianity Today International, recently retired
David gives us a personal tour through the realities of retirement, supplying lots of stories and illustrations. An accessible, realistic guide with plenty of breadth.

Vernon Grounds, retired Denver Seminary Chancellor
Retirement Is Not for Sissies embodies the wisdom, the insight, and the humor I anticipate whenever I begin to read anything McKenna writes. Some topics obviously don’t lend themselves to any facetious touch, but this collection of sage observations and most helpful counsel calls for the kind of delightful treatment he has given it. I hope it gains the appreciative readership it deserves.

Karen O’Connor, author, Gettin’ Old Ain’t
for Wimps (Harvest House, 2004), Walkin’ with God
Ain’t for Wimps (Harvest House, 2007), The Golden
Years Ain’t for Wimps (Harvest House, 2008)
Want to make your retirement count for even more than your years at the office? David McKenna’s book Retirement Is Not For Sissies will help you become informed and inspired to finish strong and well. The author’s six key steps for achieving this goal are wrapped in real-life anecdotes, bits of humor, and plenty of sound wisdom. A must-read for any retiree and anyone within retirement’s reach.

Glenn E. White, retired Chrysler Corporation Vice President
McKenna’s book supports the old statement, “Whoever said ‘These are the golden years’ was probably not yet retired.” Yet Retirement Is Not for Sissies is full of good ideas and thought on how to take the lemons that retirement can throw at you and turn them into lemonade. McKenna also reminds us all that Christians in retirement continue to live in a mission field and we have responsibility as to how we live and interact with others. The book has lots of good stories folded in with advice and counsel that can help make retirement an enjoyable and worthwhile time of life.

Alvin O. Austin, Chancellor and President Emeritus, LeTourneau University
David McKenna is an artist with words and this may be his best-ever book. As one who just stepped into the world of retirement, I found this book to be a masterpiece of insight, humor, practical and personal advice, and spiritual challenge that hit the target for me. If you are thinking about retirement or have already made the plunge, you will want to read Retirement Is Not for Sissies.

Frank Haas, General Partner, Leisure Communities, Ltd.
This book mirrors many of the stories I have heard from thousands of new retirees in our active adult communities. I would have given it as a house-warming gift to our newly retired residents if it had been available earlier; it would have had a great positive impact on their “new” life. I, personally, have changed from scheduled responsibilities (work) to chosen activities and responsibilities (retired, why don’t I like that word?) and I find Dave’s book to be very relevant for me. This is an excellent book for those soon to enter or already in the “golden years.”

Paul K. Klein, retired Director, U.S. West;
retired Vice President, Telephone Pioneers of America
A must-read for anyone feeling the effects of aging, and for people about to retire. More useful than a company gold watch stored in a drawer. Many great insights into the challenges, changes, and nuances retirement life offers. Guaranteed to improve motivation and planning, enhance outlook and purpose, and help its readers find “success.” Good humorous illustrations. Provides a wonderful, balanced look into both physical and spiritual needs during aging and this finite earthly life.

George K. Brushaber, retired President,
Bethel University (St. Paul, Minnesota)
What a “just in time” gift David McKenna has given me. As I write this I am within days of completing a four-decade career of leadership in Christian higher education, and everyone has proposed a plan for the rest of my life. But armed with McKenna’s wisdom and counsel, my wife and I embark on a new life journey with hope and confidence. Thank you, David, for once again mentoring me.

David O. Moberg, Professor Emeritus, Marquette University; editor, Aging and Spirituality (Haworth Press, 2001)
This “survival kit” is a delight to read. Packed with upbeat wisdom that’s confirmed by fascinating personal experiences, it shares reflections and insights about aging as it really is. Its 30 short chapters can be read in any order for sheer enjoyment or for sage advice before or during retirement. They suggest how and how not to deal with unanticipated incidents, puzzling demands, and trying circumstances related to relationships, class reunions, marriage, residences, personal identity, age discrimination, sex, leisure, humor, exercise, health, memory, possessions, economic adjustments, investments, politics, spirituality, and countless other concerns of the final third of life.

Nancy and Norm Edwards, retired executive team, Counsel in Resource Development
Out of his own experiences, David McKenna addresses nearly every issue the retiree or soon-to-be retiree will face. With practical and sometimes humorous insights, we realize we have a lot of company.

As we shared our reading, we asked ourselves, “How did Dave know that about us?” He helps us realize that the best days are yet to come.

George Duff, former President,
Greater Seattle Chamber of Commerce
David McKenna has written an extremely practical book for those who are approaching the end of their primary career or even those who have moved on to the next “act.” The scriptural admonition to redeem the time is even more important. As we think about passing the baton—and as long as we are in the race we should still have a baton—we must simplify, as Dave suggests, so that those we care about and those who care about us will have a smooth transition.

Bruce Dingman, President, The Dingman Company
Perhaps the best book on “redeployment” ever written.
A great “how-to” for the soon-to-be or recently retired Christian.

Gerald E. Bates, Bishop Emeritus,
Free Methodist Church of North America
Retirement Is Not for Sissies is experienced, insightful, reflective, and full of humor. For retirees and those about to be retired, David McKenna’s book is a priceless road map into hope.