LIFE Runners are LIFE Group Devotions members who pray,
raise funds, and run...All In Christ for Pro-Life!
"REMEMBER The Unborn, Jer 1:5"

Leaders

LIFE Group Advisory Board:
* Bishop Paprocki (IL):  Springfield Diocese, National LIFE Runners Team Chaplain.
* Anne Carmichael (MO):  vice president with the Vitae Foundation in Jefferson City.
* Dr. Kevin Vost (IL):  faith/fitness author, speaker, and radio/TV guest.
* Kathryn Lopez (DC):  editor-at-large of National Review Online and a national syndicated columnist.
* Jeff Grabosky (AZ):  teacher, ran across America from Jan to May 2011 to encourage prayer.
* Lindsey Bachman (MO):  attorney at Kranitz & Krantiz in St. Joseph and a parish Respect Life coordinator.
* Bobby Aborn (OH):  national youth conference associate director for Franciscan University in Steubenville.

LIFE Group Officers:
* Primary Authors:  Dr. Rich Reich, Rob Rysavy, Steve Castle, Jeff Pauls, Rosemary Bernth, Dr. Pat Castle
* Guest Authors:  Dr. Pat Castle (IL)
* LIFE Runners Chapters:  Tina Castle (MN)
* LIFE Minute radio:  Steve Castle (MN)
* Communications:  Anne Carmichael (MO) and Sue Peters (SD)
* A-Cross the Country Relay:  Jeff Grabosky (AZ)
* Fundraising:  Rob Rysavy (CO) and Dr. Rich Reich (FL)
* Finance:  Steve Castle (MN), Scott Casmer (CO), Lindsey Bachman (MO)
* Students Outreach and Deputy Operations:  Jeff Pauls (IL)
* Jerseys/Gear:  Kris Pauls (MO)

LIFE Group Board of Directors:

Dr. Pat Castle:  coach, co-founder, president  

Pat is a catalyst and unifying force…for Pro-Life!  He grew up in Sioux Falls, SD.  After graduating from the Air Force Academy in 1993, his military service was in IL, TX, CO, CA, and Turkey (currently a LtCol at Scott AFB near St. Louis).  He was blessed to unite with Angi in the Sacrament of Marriage in 1994.  They teamed up with God to welcome their daughters Paige (2000) and Grace (2003).  Pat earned analytical chemistry degrees from the U of IL (MS 1994, PhD 2005).  He was selected for the National Defense Univ WMD-prevention program for leaders (2008-2010) and was selected for the Notre Dame Vita Institute for human life ministry leaders (2011).  His Air Force service is split between bioenvironmental engineering and teaching chemistry at the AF Academy (associate professor).  Pat led the development of the Dean’s model Ethics Across the Curriculum program (1997-2000) and served with the Academy’s Center for Character & Leadership Development (2008-2009). Pat is tethered to the Catholic Christian faith but actively ecumenical (article).  He is a member of the Knights of Columbus (since 1992).  In addition to the LIFE Group Devotions (est 2007), his ministry leadership includes 6 yrs with Bible study groups (founded Christians In Action, co-founded Chemists for Christ, led Incirlik Catholic Men of the Chapel); 6 yrs with youth education and retreat programs; 8 yrs with Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA); and Engaged Encounter (2011).  Pat is the co-founder and coach for the National LIFE Runners Team (est 2008) that raises Pro-Life prayers, awareness and funds while training for marathons (National Review article).  Near the finish of the 2006 Pikes Peak Ascent, Pat was deeply inspired by a miraculous encounter with St. Padre Pio.  With 15 marathons, his best finishes include the 2007 Marine Corps (2:53), 2008 Pikes Peak (17th), 2008 Chicago (2:54), 2009 Boston (2:59), 2009 Great Wall of China (2nd, 45 countries), 2010 STL (2:59) and 2010 Sioux Falls (7th), 2011 KC (25th).  Pat is the 2010 Scott AFB Athlete of the Yr (out of 4,250).  His license plate holder:  I VOTE PRO-LIFE. Speaking/Articles/Radio, including 2012 Ave Maria Law of Life Summit emcee and 2012 March for Life mini-Rally speech. pat@LIFErunners.org. Facebook. Heb 12:1-2.

Steve Castle:  author, radio, vp finance

Steve Castle was born and raised in Sioux Falls, SD (1976 – 2009). Steve met Jesus and his future wife on the same providential weekend in April 1992 at a Search for Christian Maturity retreat in Aberdeen, SD. Seven years later, after being called to and later from the seminary, Steve married his high school sweetheart, Tina, in January of 1999. They have been abundantly blessed with four beautiful children; Brianna (2000), Mary (2003), Samuel (2005), and Sarah (2009). We also have 3 miscarried babies, our little angels in heaven. Steve graduated with a B.A. in Business Admin from Augustana College (2004). After nine years in management and business consulting, Steve is now the Business Manager for the parish of Our Lady of Victory in Fergus Falls, MN (2009). Steve is a member of the Knights of Columbus (since 2001).  His past ministry experience includes Search Retreats(1992), founding advisory board member Sioux Falls Search (2008), and three years with Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA). Presently, Steve splits his time at his parish as a Core Member for the parish youth groups, Lifeteen & Edge (2009), Koinonia retreats (2004), Residents Encounter Christ (2010) retreats, Friday author for the LIFE Group Devotions (2009), and voice of the LIFE Minute (2011). Steve is a LIFE Runner who has competed in marathons (2007 Monumental Challenge, 2008 Chicago, 2009 Minneapolis) to raise pro-life awareness for the unborn.  He enjoys singing praise & worship, being in the great outdoors, and teaching the Catholic faith he loves and adores. “Rejoice in Hope, Be Patient Under Trial, Persevere in Prayer” Rom 12:12.  steve@LIFEgroup413.org

Rob Rysavy:  author, vp fundraising

Rob is currently a LtCol squadron commander in Colorado Springs.  Since his graduation from the United States Air Force Academy in 1990, he has been in various flying and space-related positions.  Rob is a lifelong Catholic, husband to the amazing Michelle and father to Alexandra, Robert, Mark, Elizabeth, Mary and Katharine.  He grew up in South Dakota, spending 12 years in the Sioux Falls Catholic school system and graduating from O’Gorman High School (thanks Mom and Dad).  Rob is a member of the Knights of Columbus (since 1995), has led Bible Studies, taught youth Christian Formation and is active in his local Respect Life communities.  He is involved in his son’s Boy Scout Troop, has coached multiple youth sports for all ages Pre-K through high school, and is a member of the St. Mary’s High School Board of Directors.  Rob loves being with his incredible family, all of whom are proof that God gives us much more than we deserve.  He is a LIFE Runner who also enjoys backpacking, triathlons, and cycling.  Rob is a reader and he likes explaining to people why he is a “single-issue” (Life!) voter. “Then the boy’s father cried out, “I do believe, help my unbelief” Mark 9:24.  rob@LIFEgroup413.org


Dr. Rich Reich:  author, co-founder

Rich is an active duty Air Force LtCol, currently stationed at Patrick AFB, FL.  He is a chemical research officer with experience in the fields of energetic materials, combustion science, mass spectrometry, and radiochemistry.  He earned a BS in Chemistry and BA in German from the University of Arizona in 1995.  He also earned an MS (2001) and a PhD (2010) in Analytical Chemistry from the University of Florida.  Rich and his wife, Erica, have been married since 1997.  Rich is an active member of the Knights of Columbus (since 2006, former Grand Knight), focusing much of his energy on pro-life activities.  In 2009, he led his Knight of Columbus council in raising funds for a crisis pregnancy center ultrasound machine, through the Knights of Columbus Ultrasound Initiative.  Rich enjoys long distance running (co-founded LIFE Runners), surf fishing, water sports, listening to Christian music (especially Third Day), and studying Catholic apologetics. ”But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves” James 1:22.  rich@LIFEgroup413.org