By Katie Vasquez
Every week, you can find Philip Lehpamer at the food pantry at Holy Name of Jesus Church in Windsor Terrace.
Committing one of the corporal acts of mercy.
“It’s part of being a Christian to recognize that people have legitimate differing needs and to try to understand what it is that would really help them,” said Philip Lehpamer, parishioner of Holy Name of Jesus Church.
During the pandemic, the retired actuary, decided to pursue a lifelong goal.
“The mathematician who works for an insurance company?” Lehpamer said. “That’s the easy answer.”
Becoming a published author—a feat he chased hundreds of times with little success.
“I tried them,” Lehpamer said. “Never anything. No total, total rejection.”
Philip’s book, Unwavering Love, is a murder mystery set in 1970s Chicago—where he grew up.
“Parker, the detective, besides being a family man, is also an actuary, which was my profession,” said Lehpamer. “That allows me to write with absolute confidence about that phase of the detective.”
It’s a work of fiction, but it’s based on aspects of his own life—including his faith.
“I wanted to reflect Catholicism,” said Lehpamer. “I wanted to show every detective also had a religious side. In the case of my fictional character, Parker Spooner, his wife, and their children, they are definitely a prayerful family.”
“God’s love is unconditional or unwavering,” Lehpamer added. “But people in marriage reflect unwavering love.”
And now, at almost 83 years old, he hopes his book encourages others to never give up.
“If you have a dream, you have to keep pursuing it,” Lehpamer said. “I would never give up on anything.”