I’m sure
everyone has had the experience of not knowing when, who or why you will
next meet persons who make a very positive impression and make you feel
fortunate to have come in contact with them. I’ve had many such
experiences, especially in the last few years, since interviewing
interesting candidates who become member profiles for your newsletter.
Such was the case when I met and talked to thisdelightful couple. They
were: Dr. Byron Lutes and wife Catherine.
You might consider them an international
pair as they come from different national backgrounds. Dr. Lutes was
born and raised in the Detroit area while Catherine is from our Canadian
neighbor, Windsor. They both have medical backgrounds, with Byron
earning his Medical Degree from Wayne State University and Catherine
her R.N. degree from The Hotel Dieu School of nursing in Windsor.
After graduation Dr. Lutes practiced as a
surgeon at Highland Park General Hospital and later opened a clinic in
Warren. Sometime later he heard from a former classmate in Medical
School, who convinced him to join him at Blue Care Network. He was
offered and took the job as the head of then new Surgical Center in
Saginaw in 1985. After ten years he became a part time consultant with
BCN and eventually retired in 2001.
The Lutes family always enjoyed travel,
but especially on the open road in a motor home. They bought their
first 21-foot Winnebago in 1970. They have had 10 other models since
that time and presently own a 27-foot Gulf Stream. Over the years they have traveled extensively over the
United States and Canada. They still
plan to travel, but on a more limited basis.
Prior to retirement their daughter,
Heather, who always had an interest in horses became fascinated with a
relatively rare breed known as miniature horses. This is a horse, which
stands between 34 and 38 inches tall. The breed originated in Europe
and the Shetland Isles. They were trained as workhorses to haul carts
of materials. They were especially valuable in hauling coal from
coalmines because of their strength and small size.
Well, Heather convinced her folks to get
into the horse business. They did, but these horses now are trained as
show horses with competitions for this breed nationwide. The Lutes
started in by buying 5 horses in Bloomfield Hills. To accommodate the
animals they found a 15-acre farm in Freeland
Michigan. Their daughter took
care of the horses and they hired a professional trainer to train them.
They have been very successful by having national champions for the past
8 years. They have bred other horses that achieved national champion
status and their others rated in the top 5.
Quite an interesting career involving
medicine, travel, equestrian breeding and showmanship. Just goes to
illustrate the talent inherent in BCBSM retirees.
