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I was born and raised in St Paul, Minnesota.  I am married and have three grown children, all who raised pigeons at one point in their childhood years.  Besides pigeons my other hobbies include gardening, specifically the cultivation of exhibition iris, daylilies, and dahlias and woodworking.  I first became interested in pigeons at an early age.   After a brief fascination in feral pigeons I met a neighborhood fancier who soon opened a window to the fancy.    I became acquainted with another gentleman who bred  fancy pigeons and lived well within bicycle riding range.  From this gentleman I acquired a pair of yellow Bohemian Saddle Pouters, my first fancy pigeons.  During  my younger years  
I had other varieties of fancy pigeons and also raced Racing Homers.

It was in the 1950's that I discovered a pigeon that would captivate me,  hold my interest and challenge me even to this day.  Higher education soon dictated the fact that Racing Homers took up too much time.  Not ready to give up pigeons altogether I saw my first picture of a Deutsche Schautaube - German Beauty Homer in a book.  They were sleek, they were powerful, and they were beautiful!  I had to have a pair.  I soon did, in 1957 I acquired my first German Beauty Homers.  Then, more colors and more birds.  After a four year obligation in the U.S Air Force I was back at it again more interested than ever.  During this time I was to meet a gentleman that would ignite  my interest in Schautauben even more.  His name was Horst Dorrbecker of Koln, Germany.  Horst contacted me in 1968 and from that point on we developed a strong friendship and correspondence that lasted until his death some years ago.  I even had the good fortune to visit him with my family in 1977.   Through his great knowledge as a specialty judge of German Beauty Homers  Horst fanned the fires of my interest through his correspondence and photographs.

My years in the  fancy  have been blessed with many fine friendships  in German Beauty Homers and pigeons in general which I treasure a great deal.  I am a member of our local all breeds pigeon club, the Minnesota State Pigeon Association, and have served in several executive board positions.  I am a charter member of the American German Beauty Homer Club.  Since 1968 I have served as president, secretary-treasurer and district director.   My interest and involvement in the Deutsche Schautauben has spanned over forty years.  The breed holds my interest as much today as it did when I acquired my first pair.  I continue to make new friends worldwide.   My occasional trips to Europe have widened my scope of interest in the fancy and the German Beauty Homer especially.  My best wishes to all fanciers.

Richard Okeson