July 30 Rotary Meeting Dr. Brinkman

Rotarian Dr. Jay Brinkman (photo) who had arranged for the Indiana Vortex Chasers (IVC) to speak at the Monday noon luncheon, had  them cancel at the last moment.  Undaunted by this predicament, he decided to fill the program role himself.  He chose a topic he was very familiar with ----- himself, his family and his profession.  We learned that he grew up in Colfax, in McLean County, Illinois.  His father farmed, but later turned to agricultural sales.  His mother was a home economics teacher, and he has one brother.  

 After high school, Jay was a pre-med student at Illinois Wesleyan in Bloomington - Normal where he graduated with a bachelor of science degree.  He was a track and field athlete and for a while held the school record for the 400 meter dash.  

 After graduating he married his wife, Diane, who also had grown up in Colfax.  They then headed to Marietta, Georgia where Jay enrolled at Life University which specializes in chiropractic and health science.  Diane worked at a local hospital.  Jay completed his degree in chiropractic medicine in three years, taking classes straight through without any breaks.  He graduated first in his class.  

 Jay took and passed his board exams in Indiana. He then started to build a practice in West Lafayette, but at the same time he also helped the chiropractor in Kentland who was having health problems.  Eventually the Kentland chiropractor, Dr. Feaster, offered to sell his practice.  It was an offer that Brinkman couldn't refuse and he jumped at the opportunity to purchase the already established practice.  

Jay and his wife of 33 years have lived in the community for 26 years.  They have four adult children. Tyler, the oldest, is married, lives in Oregon and works as a land surveyor.  A daughter, Maggie, is married and lives in Wisconsin.  She has a son named Mason.  Two of the Brinkman children live in Champaign, Illinois.  A daughter, Laura, is a licensed message therapist.  A son, Caleb, wants to follow in the footsteps of his older brother and is studying to become a land surveyor.  Dr. Brinkman was a member of the South Newton School Board from 1992 to 2004 . He has been a member of the Kentland Rotary Club for 24 years practicing faithfully the Rotary motto of Service Above Self.