I grew my first beard while backpacking in Europe in the summer of 1972 on my first of five trips to Taize, France. It has since changed - both in color and shape. I have shaved it off only a couple of times over the last 54 years - only to let it grow back pretty soon in one form or another.
I am not asking for a vote, but I do remember one very memorable moment when an elderly woman neighbor banged on my car window as I was backing out of my condo garage and said this to me right after I had just shaved it off the first time! "I like your look better when your beard is shaved off! You don't look like a criminal!" My mind raced for a response, but I decided to take the high road and answered politely, "Well, thank you for the compliment, my dear! I am always open to honest feed-back because I am not a criminal and I certainly don't want to be mistaken for one!"
Passport photo 1972 for my first trip to Taize
I came home from Europe with this beard and kept it for my 1974 passport photo.
My 1980 passport during a lull in traveling when I decided on longer hair and a longer beard.
Here, I look like the infamous Russian monk and self-proclaimed mystic, Grigori Rasputin, who was close to the Russian royal family and was killed for his shenanigans.
Rasputin 1869-1916
Partial beard and shorter hair in June 2012, while a staff member at St. Meinrad Seminary. I began to apply a little dye in those days because it was beginning to turn a bit gray.
My 2015 Passport after retirement. To celebrate my retirement, and because the beard dye was not convincing, I shaved it off before working in the Caribbean Missions
Post Caribbean Missions, I grew back a full beard that I let turn white around 2019.
Short hair and partial beard again around July 2024 after starting to work in the African Missions
Clean shaven again for my renewed 2026 Passport - just in case I change my mind about traveling again!
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