Bill Graff and Jeff Schuck
Bill was born in Bluffton, Ohio and moved to Camp Hill, Pennsylvania in 1957, and is the eldest of three with two younger sisters. Bill graduated from Towson University in Towson, Maryland with a major in Business Administration. He was the Director of Purchasing for the School District of York, Pennsylvania for 30 years, retiring in 2009. Bill is a member of the Coastal Corvette Club, and enjoys classic and specialty automobiles.
Jeff was born and raised in Middleburg, Pennsylvania, and is the youngest of three with an older brother and sister. Jeff graduated from Shippensburg University with a major in Elementary Education. He was employed by the Southern York School District in Glen Rock, Pennsylvania, and retired in 2006 after 31 years of service. In addition to playing the piano, Jeff loves musical theatre.
Bill and Jeff met through a mutual friend and have been together since 1980. After more than 30 years together, they were married in 2013. They frequently vacationed in Rehoboth Beach, purchasing their first house in 2001. In 2005, they sold the property and purchased the home where they currently reside. Bill and Jeff have been permanent residents of Rehoboth Beach since 2010.
When did you start volunteering at CAMP Rehoboth?
We began volunteering right after we moved here in 2010.
What events/activities have you been involved with as a volunteer?
Since we began volunteering we have participated in many mailings at CAMP Rehoboth.
What’s your best memory volunteering here?
Our best memories of volunteering at CAMP Rehoboth are meeting new people and establishing continued friendships.
Of the many events held by CAMP Rehoboth, which is your favorite and why?
Our favorite event is the Sundance Auction because of the excitement surrounding the silent auction bidding process.
Favorite season here at the beach and why?
Our favorite season has to be fall. The tourists have left, the town is less busy, and the weather is beautiful.
Name a childhood mentor or someone who influenced you growing up.
Bill: My Boy Scout Master, Clyde Moore, who gave of his time selflessly and introduced me to Rehoboth Beach with camping trips at the beach.
Jeff: My first grade teacher, Betty Knepp, who motivated me to become a teacher and encouraged me to pursue a career outside of my hometown.
If you had an extra hour in the day, what would you do?
Bill: I would write a letter to a close friend.
Jeff: I would make travel plans.
Favorite U.S. city and why?
Bill: My favorite city is Provincetown, MA. We have vacationed there for the past 28 years.
Jeff: My favorite city is New York City because I love the theatre.
Night owl or early riser and why?
We are both early risers.
Best year of your life and why?
We both agree that the year we committed to each, 1980, was the best year of our lives.
Favorite holiday and why?
Bill: My favorite holiday is Thanksgiving. I think it is a great time of the year to celebrate with old and new friends.
Jeff: My favorite holiday is Christmas because people are filled with the spirit of the season.
The LGBT community has made significant progress in the fight for equality over recent years. Did you expect to see this in your lifetime? Why or why not?
We are both thrilled with the progress made by the LGBT community, thus far. We never dreamed that we would be able to marry in our lifetime!
Given the new political climate, are you concerned about the possible loss of rights for the LGBT Community?
We are both very concerned for the future of our rights. It is always a difficult process to gain the rights and maintain them. Then, with just the stroke of a pen it can all be lost.
How long have you been coming to Rehoboth?
Bill came here as a child on camping trips. However, we have been coming to Rehoboth Beach since the early ‘80s.
Since you began coming to Rehoboth, name the biggest change you’ve seen.
The biggest change is greater acceptance of the LGBT community without verbal harassment from passersby.
Name three events that you feel have shaped your life.
Bill: First, is my college graduation; second is working in an inner city school district; third is our international travel.
Jeff: First is my college graduation; second is teaching for 31 years; third is meeting Bill.
Describe an ideal date night.
Our ideal date night would be cocktails, dinner, and the theatre (preferably in New York City).
What are you most thankful for?
We are both most thankful for our families, and our close friends.
Bill and Jeff, we want to thank you for being such dedicated volunteers for the past seven years. We are always so grateful for volunteers like you. Everyone here at CAMP Rehoboth is happy you decided to make Rehoboth Beach your home. We are very appreciative of the time you spend volunteering, and hope to see the two of you at our next mailing event, and hopefully, volunteering at other CAMP Rehoboth events in the future.